Stacy Garrett’s Journey from Downtown Lynchburg Enthusiast to Downtown Lynchburg Association’s Executive Director
By: Olivia Carter | Photography by: Ashlee Glen
Stacy Garrett didn’t get the luxury of a slow start when she started as the executive director of the Downtown Lynchburg Association last August.
Within weeks, she found herself overseeing major community events, meeting city leaders, and learning the behind-the-scenes mechanics of an organization she had long admired as a resident.
“I literally hit the ground running,” Garrett said, recalling her first months on the job, which included coordinating signature events like the Loft Tour and Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk while simultaneously learning new systems and building relationships with staff and stakeholders.
After leading the Miller Home for Girls for more than two decades, the transition was less a departure from nonprofits than a natural evolution.
“After 20 years … I felt like I had accomplished what I wanted to accomplish,” Garrett noted. “This was a new start and a new beginning for me, and I get to make an impact where I live.”
She said one of her last goals for the Miller Home was to sell the building they had occupied.
“When that started moving forward and I knew that was going to take place, and I knew things were going to be at a nice settlement for Miller home, it seemed like the perfect time to transition to a new job,” she said.
Garrett’s extensive nonprofit experience continues to shape her leadership style. She credits her years working with youth and community organizations for teaching her the importance of visibility, honest communication, and building authentic relationships, which are qualities she believes translate seamlessly into economic and community development.
“When you’re in a nonprofit role, you have to know your stakeholders and be visible,” she remarked.
“If you don’t love what you’re doing, it’s not going to be successful.”
Her familiarity with downtown businesses and residents, cultivated through years of strolling the streets as a neighbor and customer, gave her a unique advantage when stepping into the position, she said.
But she quickly realized the difference between enjoying a thriving district and being responsible for helping it grow.
“I had to shift from being someone who visited these places to someone who makes sure those businesses are thriving,” she stated. “Now I represent their voice.”
Among the most rewarding experiences so far, Garrett points to watching Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk from an entirely new perspective.
After years of attending as a participant, she now witnesses the coordination, sponsorship, and teamwork required to create the beloved seasonal attraction.
“To walk it every night and see the different crowds, the energy and excitement, was magical,” she recalled. “Seeing how the community comes together to make that happen is incredibly rewarding.”
Like any new role, the transition has also come with challenges.
Garrett laughed about navigating unfamiliar technology, learning new systems, and memorizing a long list of names and departments. Still, she said that asking questions and leaning on a supportive team have made the process smoother.
“I’ve never been afraid to say, ‘I don’t know, can you show me?’” she said. “I don’t think it matters what age you are; ask the questions. Don’t be afraid to ask and don’t be afraid to learn.”
Garrett sees significant opportunity for downtown Lynchburg’s continued evolution. She is excited about the opening of the city’s amphitheater and said it’s a major draw that could bring increased foot traffic, tourism, and cultural activity to the area.
“I think we’re going to see lots of visitors and lots of boots on the ground,” she noted.
She also envisions practical improvements that enhance the visitor experience, from volunteer cleanup initiatives and added flower baskets to updated parking information and new small business development.
Even without the original funding for the Launch LYH program, Garrett hopes to find creative ways to keep attracting entrepreneurs and filling storefronts.
“We don’t have a lot of empty storefronts, but I think filling them in with more retail, small boutiques, places for people to stay … we want it to be the Main Street of Lynchburg that they walk away from and want to come back and tell their friends to come and visit,” she said. “We want Virginia tourism to know all about us. And when you’re driving through, you stop here, and it’s a great time and a great memory.”
Central to that vision are collaborations with city leadership, economic development officials, and community partners, which are relationships she describes as cooperative rather than competitive.
“It’s a large collaboration of all of us working together to build the downtown Main Street area,” she remarked.
As a longtime educator, former school board chair, and nonprofit executive, Garrett has spent much of her career in leadership roles, often as a woman in highly visible positions. She believes confidence, authenticity, and a willingness to speak up are essential traits for effective leaders.
“You have to believe in yourself and not be afraid to express your voice and your opinions,” she said. “Confidence comes from within. It’s to have the power to be the superhero. And so Wonder Woman is always my inspiration.”
Her advice to women considering leadership in nonprofit or community development work is to not let fear stand in the way.
“Believe in what you want to do,” she stated. “Ask questions, keep learning, and know that no matter your age, you can go for it.”
Garrett’s personal ties to downtown remain one of her greatest sources of inspiration. She is a part of the “Loft family,” a close-knit network of neighbors she met while walking her dog. The group still gathers for meals, celebrations, and support.
“You’re never too old to make new friends,” she said. “That sense of community is what makes downtown so special.”
