The Success of the Main Street Framework - Julie Della-Maria

The Success of the Main Street Framework
A Human-Centered Approach to Economic and Community Development

Julie Della-Maria, Executive Director of the Downtown Sykesville Connection, leads award-winning Main Street revitalization efforts that blend economic growth, community engagement, and historic preservation. With a Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology and a decade of scientific research experience, Julie brings a data-driven, strategic lens to community development and has made Sykesville a model for creative financing, public-private partnerships, and mission-driven planning.

A sought-after speaker on nonprofit leadership, Julie highlights diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) not only as a moral imperative but also as a powerful economic driver. Her work centers on authentic community engagement, ensuring that every segment of Sykesville’s population is represented in shaping the town’s future.