Executive Director of Downtown Bellingham Partnership Lindsey Payne Johnstone has been with the organization for 16 years, evolving from an intern in college to now leading the nonprofit to new heights.
“I was recently appointed in May of this year,” says Johnstone. “I’m not new to the work, but new to the executive director position.”
The last few months have seen Downtown Bellingham Partnership put together a spectacular 20th anniversary of the beloved musical festival Downtown Sounds. “Since then, we’ve switched gears to other seasonal events and programming and are looking ahead at our 2025 work plan,” says Johnstone. “We’re also eagerly preparing for our upcoming strategic plan.”
Background and Career
Johnstone views her appointment as executive director as a full circle moment for her career.
“In my final quarter at Western I was an event planning intern with a sole focus on Downtown Sounds,” she says. “That was the last year, in 2008, that the concerts were still in the alley. I had so much fun with the organization. We were, at that time, called the Downtown Renaissance Network.”
Johnstone then mentions they rebranded Downtown Bellingham Partnership in 2009. When the organization started, it was focused on bringing commerce back into the heart of Bellingham. “The construction of the mall at the time drew much of the economic vitality out of downtown,” she says, “which created the genesis for the organization.”
As an intern, Johnstone fell head over heels for the mission. “I loved the work so much,” she says. “Three months just didn’t feel like enough. It was a quarter-long internship, and it was summer, and I wanted to see Downtown Sounds through — experience the event coming to fruition after helping plan it for months.”
Eventually, Johnstone picked up other events for the nonprofit, securing a part-time position. “At that time, I was also a bartender at Bayou on Bay,” she says. “For several years, I was part time at the partnership and part time at Bayou, and I also lived downtown.”
Payne lived on Railroad Avenue above what is now Matthew’s Honest Cocktails but was then a Starbucks. “It was my little scene,” says Johnstone. “I would walk to the office — that’s when we were on Cornwall — and then I walked to my shift at Bayou. Downtown really felt like home.”
Throughout her DBP tenure — being promoted into various event planning roles, followed by program director before becoming interim executive director and now the permanent executive director — Johnstone has helped to build vibrant growth in downtown Bellingham. In addition to Downtown Sounds, she’s also helped establish programs like the Storefront Improvement Grant, which provides funding for businesses to improve their facades, public realm activation projects, seasonal programming on Commercial Street and in the Plaza, engaging with businesses through the City Block Program and hearing firsthand how she can help advocate for them, and cultivating relationships with economic partners.
“I love connecting with people in our community and collaborating on projects and ideas,” Johnstone says. “I have a collaborative leadership style and value working with my team. Relationships are key, and I try my best to lead with positivity and joy.”
Hobbies and Home
Community, human connection, and helping Bellingham flourish are all key tenets for Johnstone. “People are important to me — friends, family, peers,” she says. “I think I carry that through my relationships with my staff, board of directors, businesses, city partners, and community colleagues.”
Johnstone lives at home with her husband and dog, spending time with their extended family as much as possible and recently, remodeling their house. “We’ve been investing a lot of love, time and energy and hard work into our home, which feels really good,” says Johnstone. “We also have property out on Eliza Island that we acquired a few years ago, going out there is like a soul refresh — it’s so beautiful, just being outside and unplugging.”
With one of her main events being Downtown Sounds, it’s no surprise Johnstone loves music, attending festivals and spending quality time with her friends. “There’s usually a large group of us,” Johnstone says. “We love to go to music festivals together, and we like dressing up, having fun, getting silly — seeing live music definitely fills my soul.”
Johnstone’s twin sister also resides in Bellingham, and she has family in Vancouver, Washington, as well. With a community-driven heart and lively spirit, Johnstone seeks new adventures whenever she can. “I love going to Mexico with my husband and friends every winter,” she says. “My family just traveled to Ireland this last spring. I love downtown and Bellingham, but I also love getting out of the country and experiencing and exploring.”
Top 7 Under 40
Being named one of Bellingham’s Top 7 Under 40 has been a rewarding experience for Johnstone. “We have so much talent in this community, it’s truly, really fascinating to me that we have so many nonprofits with so many different teams,” says Johnstone. “I feel really honored. Being recognized for the work in the community that I’ve done is an honor.”
An event held at the Hotel Bellwether on Thursday, October 3rd from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. will celebrate all seven honorees and award the Young Professional of the Year. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets. Registration closes September 27, 2024.
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