The Downtown Partnership announced new leadership Thursday afternoon.

The nonprofit that represents and advocates for downtown Colorado Springs businesses welcomed a new interim CEO and a new director of safety and public space management. CEO Susan Edmondson stepped down in October, citing health reasons, according to previous coverage by The Gazette. Hannah Parsons, a longtime fixture in the Colorado Springs business community, has been serving as interim CEO since Edmondson’s departure.

Now, Chelsea Gondeck, current chief operating officer, has been tapped to replace Parsons as interim CEO while former deputy police chief and current downtown business owner Pat Rigdon will become head of safety.

The group’s executive committee wanted to find someone with proven leadership skills after it “recalibrated” its search for a CEO of the partnership. Gondeck will lead the partnership through the completion of the Experience Downtown Master Plan update, which it estimates will be finished by February 2026.

“Chelsea has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to our mission,” said the Executive Committee in a joint statement. “She has our full confidence and support as she leads the organization through this transformative period.”

Previously, Gondeck served as the director of planning and mobility before being promoted to COO in April. She also served as the executive director of the greater downtown Colorado Springs business improvement district.

Rigdon will step into his role next week and focus on improving safety downtown, including starting the Safe & Clean Pilot initiative. This will see the Police Department’s downtown area response team provide more resources, especially early in the morning, according to the city. Other aspects of this program include a general cleanup of the downtown area, parking changes and an enhanced homelessness response.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Downtown Partnership team,” said Rigdon. “I look forward to serving the businesses, visitors and residents of downtown in this role. I am confident that this project will have a noticeable impact on the downtown area.”

The changes at the nonprofit underscore the “Partnership’s commitment” to ensuring the core of the city is a “welcoming and vibrant place for all,” the group said in a news release.