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.
Timothy (Tim) Woodward
Clean and Safe Ambassador Program Operations Manager
I serve as the Operations Manager for the clean and safe ambassador Program. I have been a part of the team since its launch in June of 2020. I bring 6 years of experience starting as an ambassador to a Team Lead and now current Operating Manager.
Our Mission:
With Pride, We make public spaces friendly and vibrant for the Community we serve.
Outside of work:
I enjoy being outdoors as much as possible whether it me hiking, camping or going for walks around Silver Lake to downtown for a quick bite. One of my biggest passions is driving around the state locating small whole in the wall dinners to try.
Perfect Day Downtown:
A perfect day Downtown always starts with a Mocha from Cafe Steam and a breakfast sandwich from City Market. A short walk down to Central Park to enjoy some quiet time by the fountain before getting a sandwich at my go-to spot at City Market (some of the most craveable sandwiches I have found.
Downtown insider tip:
Check out the local businesses you never know what kind of information you're going to learn from the owners; some businesses have been downtown for generations and know a lot of history. Peace Plaza is a great place to take the family and just hang out the atmosphere is welcoming and great reasurants close by.
Our Mission:
With Pride, We make public spaces friendly and vibrant for the Community we serve.
Outside of work:
I enjoy being outdoors as much as possible whether it me hiking, camping or going for walks around Silver Lake to downtown for a quick bite. One of my biggest passions is driving around the state locating small whole in the wall dinners to try.
Perfect Day Downtown:
A perfect day Downtown always starts with a Mocha from Cafe Steam and a breakfast sandwich from City Market. A short walk down to Central Park to enjoy some quiet time by the fountain before getting a sandwich at my go-to spot at City Market (some of the most craveable sandwiches I have found.
Downtown insider tip:
Check out the local businesses you never know what kind of information you're going to learn from the owners; some businesses have been downtown for generations and know a lot of history. Peace Plaza is a great place to take the family and just hang out the atmosphere is welcoming and great reasurants close by.
Keara Kleinfeldt
Operations & Administrative Coordinator
After spending more than 10 years away from the Midwest, I returned in 2021 to make Rochester my home.
I’ve always been someone who thrives on organization, problem-solving, and keeping things running smoothly, so stepping into the role of Operations & Administrative Coordinator at Rochester Downtown Alliance felt like the perfect fit. I enjoy being the person behind the scenes who helps turn moving pieces into something successful and seamless. Whether it’s coordinating details, solving unexpected challenges, or keeping projects on track, I love finding ways to make things work better for both our team and the community we serve.
Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my family, including my two children, who keep life fun, busy, and constantly entertaining. My interests tend to stretch in a lot of directions, but if I had to narrow it down, gardening and Broadway musicals would easily top the list. I’m equally happy digging in the dirt or belting out show tunes in the car.
Perfect Day Downtown:
Walking through the Rochester Art Center with my family, heading to Chester’s for lunch, and finishing the day at Mezza9 with tea and dessert.
Downtown Insider Tip:
Downtown isn’t just for adults—kids love it too. Between family-friendly events, creative spaces, and places to explore, there’s always something downtown that makes for a memorable family outing.
I’ve always been someone who thrives on organization, problem-solving, and keeping things running smoothly, so stepping into the role of Operations & Administrative Coordinator at Rochester Downtown Alliance felt like the perfect fit. I enjoy being the person behind the scenes who helps turn moving pieces into something successful and seamless. Whether it’s coordinating details, solving unexpected challenges, or keeping projects on track, I love finding ways to make things work better for both our team and the community we serve.
Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my family, including my two children, who keep life fun, busy, and constantly entertaining. My interests tend to stretch in a lot of directions, but if I had to narrow it down, gardening and Broadway musicals would easily top the list. I’m equally happy digging in the dirt or belting out show tunes in the car.
Perfect Day Downtown:
Walking through the Rochester Art Center with my family, heading to Chester’s for lunch, and finishing the day at Mezza9 with tea and dessert.
Downtown Insider Tip:
Downtown isn’t just for adults—kids love it too. Between family-friendly events, creative spaces, and places to explore, there’s always something downtown that makes for a memorable family outing.