Downer Avenue BID #41 Announces New Executive Director Janet Henning

Milwaukee, WI (Nov. 8, 2022) – The board of directors of the Historic Downer Avenue Business Improvement District #41, one of Milwaukee’s most popular business districts that is known for great shopping, dining, and annual events, has announced the hiring of Janet Henning as its executive director.

Henning’s background includes working for the Shorewood BID, where she will continue to serve as executive director, event planning, strategic development, communications, and business leadership has provided her the opportunity to step into this position. “I look forward to propelling the Downer BID forward and continuing to build on the strengths previously created with the businesses and residents,” Henning said.

“We are thrilled to welcome Janet and her talents to our beloved Historic Downer Avenue family,” says Michael DeMichele, Downer Avenue Board President, and President of DeMichele Company. “Her experience and attention to detail is particularly exciting and we enter the post-pandemic era poised for continued growth and renewal on the street.”

The Downer Avenue BID works to create vibrant and successful businesses by producing signature annual events including the Café Hollander Downer Classic and Haunted Halloween. Henning said she was eager to showcase Downer Avenue as a unique Milwaukee neighborhood and looked forward to employing the efficiencies and synergies there from her role in Shorewood.

Henning said she was thrilled to be working in the historic East Side area where her grandparents lived two blocks from Downer Avenue for many decades. Henning grew up going to Downer Avenue to visit Lixx’s Ice Cream shop, the popcorn stand and the Downer Theater on special nights out with her family. “It is truly wonderful to see the growth and sustainability of the community,” she said. “I look forward to collaborating and seeing how I can continue to make Downer Avenue a destination.”

Her experience as the executive director of Shorewood BID along with previously running her own consulting business, Henning has experience navigating the challenges and triumphs that small to medium businesses face. Her background also includes positions at Northwestern Mutual, FIS (formerly Metavante) and local non-profits.

Henning succeeds Emily McElwee as Downer Avenue’s executive director. For more information on Historic Downer Avenue, please visit downeravenue.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.