Molly believes that community is built from the ground up, serves people, and makes our spaces both livable and lovable.

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Short Bio

Molly Alexander

For more than three decades, Molly Alexander has built a distinguished career in downtown revitalization and economic development, spanning leadership roles in both the public and private sectors.

For 20 years, Molly served with the Downtown Austin Alliance, first as Executive Vice President of Economic Development and later as Executive Director of the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, where she helped usher in a new era of downtown revitalization in Austin, Texas.

In 2022, Molly founded Imagine The Possibilities (ITP) Consulting, working with clients and communities around the country on retail revitalization, community redevelopment and business strategy. In addition to her consulting work, she owns and operates Elgin Dry Goods an award-winning retail establishment in downtown Elgin, Texas. In April 2025, she sold her flagship store The Owl Wine Bar & Home Goods Store.

Molly’s leadership and community engagement extend beyond her businesses. She serves on numerous boards, including Frontier Bank of Texas and the Texas Downtown Association Board of Directors.

Her work has earned her significant recognition. In 2023, she received the Alan Taniguchi Award for Public Architecture from the American Institute of Architects, Austin Chapter, and the Austin Foundation for Architecture — the organizations’ highest honor — acknowledging her decades of impact in Austin and Elgin. That same year, the Elgin Chamber of Commerce named her Business Leader of the Year for her outstanding leadership and commitment to the community.

Throughout her career, Molly has also led two Central Texas Main Street programs, served as a Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau executive, worked as a policy aide for a Dallas City Council Member, and directed a historic preservation nonprofit.

Selected Work

Executive Director, Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation
(2018 – 2022)
Created a new not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization to support and implement the new downtown Austin Vision (2018). At its core the Foundation was created to bring new leadership, diversity, and funding to implement transformative projects for downtown. Managed a staff of 4 as well as downtown operations, maintenance and security contracts, and fiscal management of budgets exceeding $7M.

Executive Vice President, Economic Development, Downtown Austin Alliance
(2015 – 2018)
Led the organization’s Economic Development efforts, overseeing research, economic development, mobility and downtown transportation programs for the organization. Managed a staff of 7-9 that created and implemented multiple new opportunities for the organization.

Associate Director, Downtown Austin Alliance
(2003 – 2015)
Led the organization’s special projects, strategic planning, retail recruitment, economic development and marketing efforts.