Galin Brooks

Rochester Business Journal Staff//May 26, 2023//

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President & CEO, Rochester Downtown Development Corporation

Years in current role: 10 months

What are the most common concerns you hear from clients?

One of the most common concerns we hear is that tenants and customers may choose other areas over downtown. Whether it’s an office user moving to the suburbs or a restaurant closing its lunchtime service, the pandemic has affected the use of space and volume of people moving around each day within the downtown core. However, there are many bright spots and reasons that downtown will rebound and build upon existing energy, efforts, and enthusiasm. Home to 100-plus places to eat and drink and over a dozen cultural and entertainment establishments, downtown is the heart of the greater Rochester region.

What is one thing you would change about Rochester if you could?

Rochester is a hidden gem. There is so much to be proud of here. The common use of the term boomeranger alone shows the pull of this region. Young people may leave, but the lifestyle, amenities, or work/life balance keeps them coming back. I have chosen to move here for many of those reasons and more. If I could change one thing, it would be to make more people aware of what a wonderful place Rochester is to work and live.

How do you manage work/life balance?

With a toddler at home, this can be a challenge. As a general rule, I try to structure my weeks so that I am strategic with evening and weekend commitments. I am a firm believer that if I push hard during standard working hours, I can keep a good work/life balance. Work smarter not harder is a helpful mantra. And I’m blessed to have an incredible team that is very efficient and effective.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Real Estate & Construction list for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.