Rochester Downtown Alliance Staff
Shawn Fagan
Executive Director
I moved to Rochester in 2003 with my wife, Michelle, to open our photography business, Fagan Studios. What began as a creative leap quickly grew into a long-term commitment to Downtown Rochester. In 2006, we fulfilled our dream of owning an old building with brick walls and wood floors - our Downtown home for Fagan Studios, which we’ve owned and operated before I moved across the street into my current role with the RDA in mid-2024. Along the way, we also opened Studio324, a small event venue in our building, and Café Aquí inside Sargent’s on 2nd in 2022.
As a longtime small business owner and building owner Downtown, I understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with creating places people truly love to be in. A big part of my role at the RDA is connecting the incredible events, activities, programs, local shopping, and outstanding dining options Downtown with our locals, Mayo guests, and regional visitors - helping tell the story of everything that makes this Downtown special.
Outside of work, I’m a lifelong soccer fan and still play year-round. While going out to eat with my wife is a hobby for us both, I also love an evening at home spent creating a delicious meal in the kitchen with the tunes pumping!
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Perfect day/evening in Downtown: Taking in a meal, the environment, and the energy at one of the incredible restaurants found throughout Downtown with family and friends, walking over to the Rochester Civic Theatre for a production, then strolling to one of the cocktail lounges nearby for a nightcap!
Downtown Insider Tip: Check out the First Avenue Food Hall at the skyway level above Peace Plaza - an incredible collection of international, fresh-made, mom-and-pop lunch spots that I cherish (the people and the food!)!
As a longtime small business owner and building owner Downtown, I understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with creating places people truly love to be in. A big part of my role at the RDA is connecting the incredible events, activities, programs, local shopping, and outstanding dining options Downtown with our locals, Mayo guests, and regional visitors - helping tell the story of everything that makes this Downtown special.
Outside of work, I’m a lifelong soccer fan and still play year-round. While going out to eat with my wife is a hobby for us both, I also love an evening at home spent creating a delicious meal in the kitchen with the tunes pumping!
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Perfect day/evening in Downtown: Taking in a meal, the environment, and the energy at one of the incredible restaurants found throughout Downtown with family and friends, walking over to the Rochester Civic Theatre for a production, then strolling to one of the cocktail lounges nearby for a nightcap!
Downtown Insider Tip: Check out the First Avenue Food Hall at the skyway level above Peace Plaza - an incredible collection of international, fresh-made, mom-and-pop lunch spots that I cherish (the people and the food!)!
Elaina Doeden
Marketing & Content Coordinator
Perfect morning in Downtown: But first, coffee! I love meeting up with friends at my favorite coffee shop, Cafe Steam. Another favorite spot of mine is Benedict’s for brunch. I love ordering their flight of pancakes or an omelet. It’s always fun to soak up the sun and let my toddler play in the shallow scrim pool on Peace Plaza.
Downtown Insider Tip: Parking Downtown is FREE after 5pm and on weekends!
Downtown Insider Tip: Parking Downtown is FREE after 5pm and on weekends!
Caitlin Matera
Event & Program Coordinator
I grew up in Massachusetts, but about 15 years ago I found myself in Rochester and decided it felt enough like home that I should stay and raise a family. Since then, I’ve settled into my role as a local, the one who always knows what event is happening, where the good snacks are, and which streets to avoid during construction season.
Before I became the person who plans big community celebrations, I worked at the library where I developed a deep appreciation for community spaces and the people who fill them. It was a quieter chapter of my life— Spoiler: I am not quiet. I did learn a lot about creativity, resourcefulness and how to find literally anything if you give me five minutes and a vague description like the occasional moment where someone would ask me to help them find a title based on “the blue cover and maybe a dog on page 12.”
I’ve always been the type who turns a simple gathering into something… more. Give me a reason to decorate, a theme, or a reason to over‑plan, and I’m already halfway to a party store. Becoming the Event Coordinator for the Rochester Downtown Alliance felt like destiny tapping me on the shoulder with a glitter‑covered wand.
Perfect Day Downtown: Taking my kids to the library to pick out some movies, games, and maybe a book or two. Grabbing some tacos for lunch, walking around stores like Art Heads Emporium or Games By James, finally grabbing coffee and sweet treats.
Downtown Insider Tip: Downtown is for everybody. There are so many events that happen downtown that spawn a wide variety of interests.
Before I became the person who plans big community celebrations, I worked at the library where I developed a deep appreciation for community spaces and the people who fill them. It was a quieter chapter of my life— Spoiler: I am not quiet. I did learn a lot about creativity, resourcefulness and how to find literally anything if you give me five minutes and a vague description like the occasional moment where someone would ask me to help them find a title based on “the blue cover and maybe a dog on page 12.”
I’ve always been the type who turns a simple gathering into something… more. Give me a reason to decorate, a theme, or a reason to over‑plan, and I’m already halfway to a party store. Becoming the Event Coordinator for the Rochester Downtown Alliance felt like destiny tapping me on the shoulder with a glitter‑covered wand.
Perfect Day Downtown: Taking my kids to the library to pick out some movies, games, and maybe a book or two. Grabbing some tacos for lunch, walking around stores like Art Heads Emporium or Games By James, finally grabbing coffee and sweet treats.
Downtown Insider Tip: Downtown is for everybody. There are so many events that happen downtown that spawn a wide variety of interests.
Camden “Cam” Hurd
Clean and Safe Ambassador Program operations manager
I serve as the Operations Manager for the RDA’s Clean and Safe Ambassador Program. In this role, I oversee daily operations of the Clean and Safe program, manage our ambassador team, lead special projects, and serve as a resource for Downtown businesses and the public. The Clean and Safe Ambassador Program is focused on ensuring that the daily experience Downtown is clean, safe, and welcoming, while also helping broaden the reach and impact of RDA programs.
I bring a background in retail management with hands-on experience delivering exceptional customer service. Building connections comes naturally to me, and I take great pride in my ability to connect with anyone I meet.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, including my four children, being with close friends, and getting outside as much as possible! Oh, and cheering for a little team called the Green Bay Packers! Go Pack Go!
Perfect Day Downtown:
A perfect day Downtown obviously starts with coffee from a local shop and a walk through the skyway or along the river. Lunch at a nearby, locally owned, restaurant, followed by a stroll through the area, and plenty of shopping before wrapping up at a nice place to grab dinner and watch the Packers game!
Downtown Insider Tip:
Downtown Rochester is far more walkable than most people realize. Exploring just off the main routes, especially through the skyways and side streets, often leads to quiet spots and great local businesses many people miss.
I bring a background in retail management with hands-on experience delivering exceptional customer service. Building connections comes naturally to me, and I take great pride in my ability to connect with anyone I meet.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, including my four children, being with close friends, and getting outside as much as possible! Oh, and cheering for a little team called the Green Bay Packers! Go Pack Go!
Perfect Day Downtown:
A perfect day Downtown obviously starts with coffee from a local shop and a walk through the skyway or along the river. Lunch at a nearby, locally owned, restaurant, followed by a stroll through the area, and plenty of shopping before wrapping up at a nice place to grab dinner and watch the Packers game!
Downtown Insider Tip:
Downtown Rochester is far more walkable than most people realize. Exploring just off the main routes, especially through the skyways and side streets, often leads to quiet spots and great local businesses many people miss.