The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) welcomes Sharon Garcia as Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Sharon will lead the DDP’s marketing, communications, digital and brand recognition strategies; and will work with media to share DDP’s story, mission, vision and core values to drive awareness of the role the organization plays in Detroit. In her role, Sharon will provide leadership to advance the corporate messaging and brand management strategy across all DDP business units.
With over 20 years as a high-performance marketing and communications professional, strategic leader, and change-agent, Sharon has a demonstrated record in digital growth, successful marketing outcomes, and campaign wins.
She spent the early years of her career at the Arthritis Foundation, serving first as communications lead at the Chicago Chapter, then the Heartland Region, and finally national headquarters based in Atlanta. Between the Arthritis Foundation and her last role as Senior Director of Communications at The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, Sharon created a sole practitioner public relations business, Startup Communications, where she provided marketing and communications council, strategy, execution for small businesses, startups and nonprofits in Detroit, MI.
She served on the board of directors of Public Relations Society of America Detroit Chapter for over five years, serving as Chapter President in 2021. Other volunteer experiences include the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Girls on the Run, and Pets for Vets.
Sharon holds a BA from the School of Communication at San Diego State University, an MA in Social Sciences from University of Chicago, and achieved her APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) in 2011.
About the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) strengthens and supports Downtown Detroit through strategic initiatives and programs. DDP convenes business, philanthropic and government partners to create a vibrant and resilient urban core for Detroit and the surrounding community. DDP is responsible for programming, managing and operating several of Downtown Detroit’s parks and public spaces. For more information, visit DowntownDetroit.org.
