‘A community hero.’ Realize Bradenton’s executive director to retire after 13 years.
Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton for the past 13 years, announced she is retiring from that role at the end of October to spend more time with her family.
“I know that with individuals, organizations, government, and businesses working together that Downtown Bradenton will continue to get better and better. Realize Bradenton and its awesome staff will continue to creatively contribute to make our community the best it can be,” Isham said in an email.
“As a downtown resident I will continue to ‘Love Our City’ and be an enthusiastic cheerleader,” Isham said.
Karen Corbin, Realize Bradenton director of community partnerships, will assume the role of executive director.
Isham was named executive director of Realize Bradenton when it was established as a nonprofit in 2009 to to leverage the city’s arts, cultural and heritage assets to boost the vitality, livability and success of the downtown community. She orchestrated the community engagement process for the Riverwalk, which opened in 2012.
“We would not have the Public Market or the Blues Festival, Long Table, or ArtSlam if it weren’t for her. She will be sorely missed, but I wish her all the best, everything she deserves, in her retirement,” Mayor Gene Brown said in a press release.
“It’s easy to think that Johnette has single-handedly made downtown Bradenton what it has become. But she would be the first to say that many others were involved and she’d want to give credit to them as well. She really does embody the motto of Realize Bradenton: ‘“We Bring People Together,’” Brown said.
Shortly after she became Realize Bradenton’s executive director in 2013, Isham wrote in a Bradenton Herald guest column: “I have experienced a high level of pride for what Bradenton is, has been and can become, and the importance of arts, culture and heritage in downtown’s vitalization.”
Isham sought new ways to spotlight the potential and promise of the downtown area, including sponsoring publication of a limited edition children’s book focused on the rich history and environment of the pioneer town of Manatee, as a companion to the city’s extension of Riverwalk to the east.
In her quest to stimulate economic growth and civic pride in the downtown area, Isham used place making, place branding and civic engagement best practices.
Under her leadership, the Realize Bradenton team was named the American Planning Association Outstanding Public Interest Group, Manatee Chamber Nonprofit of the Year, and received the Knight Cities Challenge Award.
Isham and her team secured over $3.4 million in grants to assist in the renaissance of Downtown Bradenton.
“Johnette is a community hero. Through her work at Realize Bradenton she has helped Bradenton’s citizens and leaders work together to create a vibrant downtown with an authentic local quality. Her legacy goes beyond her role spearheading projects like Riverwalk, Blues Fest and the beautiful Public Market, Carrie Price, chair of the Realize Bradenton Board of Directors, said in the press release.
Prior to her time with Realize Bradenton, Isham worked at the Ringling College of Art and Design, Rhode Island School of Design, and Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.
For more information about Realize Bradenton, visit https://www.realizebradenton.com/.
This story was originally published October 17, 2022 at 2:19 PM.
