Our Staff

Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director

Cynthia van Zelm became the first Director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership in 2002. Since her tenure began, she has focused on planning and implementing Storrs Center – a $200 million mixed-use development in Downtown Storrs. As the lead staff person for the development of Storrs Center, Cynthia hosted hundreds of meetings with residents and stakeholders to achieve consensus on the vision for Storrs Center; oversaw the local, state, and federal approval process for Storrs Center; and raised over $25 million in state, federal, and private funds for the public infrastructure in the downtown. With the vision of Storrs Center now fulfilled, Cynthia has focused her efforts on the management and promotion of Downtown Storrs and economic development in the Town of Mansfield.

Prior to joining the Partnership, Cynthia worked for five years as a senior economic and community development planner with the Lane Council of Governments in Eugene, Oregon and was the Historic Silverton, Inc., director for downtown Silverton after graduate school. Cynthia also worked for two members of the US House of Representatives, Gus Yatron from Reading, Pennsylvania, and Marcy Kaptur from Toledo, Ohio, in their DC offices. During her time working for Congresswoman Kaptur, she assisted her with her work as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, focusing on environmental, energy, defense, and transportation issues.

Cynthia holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the University of Oregon, in Eugene, Oregon, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Hartwick College, in Oneonta, New York.

Kathleen M. Paterson, Senior Communications Manager

Kathleen M. Paterson joined the Partnership staff in 2007. Her work includes marketing the Partnership and downtown businesses; creating all of the Partnership’s press releases, email blasts, newsletters, and annual reports; and creating and maintaining the Partnership’s websites and social media accounts. She also creates all of the marketing material for the Partnership events and organizes the Summer Concerts on the Square.

Kathleen graduated cum laude from Allegheny College (Meadville, PA), where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.

ROSEMARY WATSON, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Rosemary Watson joined the Partnership in 2023. Her work includes recording meeting minutes, drafting agendas, researching memos, and any other organizational and administrative tasks needed to keep the office running smoothly. In addition to her duties related to the Partnership, she also assists in staffing the Town of Mansfield’s Economic Development Commission and Taste of Mansfield.

Rosemary graduated summa cum laude from Simmons University (Boston, MA), where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in History with a focus on histories of women and children.