Board Member Spotlight: Sheena Wilson, President of the Board
How Sheena Wilson is helping the downtown community blossom
By: Julieta Larios
Sheena Wilson, owner of bLoom Floral Design in Downtown Mount Vernon, has served as the MVDA’s board president for just under a year. A longtime resident, Sheena has called Mount Vernon home since 2001. We decided to ask Wilson about her role as president and her key takeaways from serving on the board. Here is what she had to say:
Q: Can you introduce yourself and share what inspired you to join the Mount Vernon Downtown Association?
Wilson: I am Sheena Wilson, and I own bLoom Floral Design down here in the heart of Downtown Mount Vernon. I joined the MVDA for a number of reasons, one, Ellen, our executive director is a dear friend and persuasive; soon after I owned my shop, I was part of the board. Then, the more I got involved, the more essential I found the organization to the health and heartbeat of our community. I made a promise to myself that I would never say, ‘You know what you should do’; it should always be, ‘You know what we should do.’ I wanted to lean into that– that is my why.
Q: What does being on the board mean to you personally?
Wilson: Being on the board means a big responsibility. I just went to a board retreat for the Main Street Association and realized even more the crucial role that the board plays in the health and welfare of the organization. This also translates into our community; it means a lot to be able to have a voice and make change, and have a place for my ideas to be offered and planted, or sometimes be brought to fruition. I like being in the middle of it all.
Q: What’s been the most rewarding part of your role so far?
Wilson: The most rewarding part is supporting the staff, helping them do their jobs, and seeing that the work of the Downtown Association, between The Pop-up and The Lido Collective, is bringing in new and innovative businesses into our downtown. Our little community here has no stagnancy; it is alive and evolving in a really wonderful way, and I think that is in large part due to the influence of the Downtown Association.
Q: Was there a moment when you felt especially proud of the work you’re doing?
Wilson: I have felt especially proud just standing alongside the work that happens within the MVDA. Ellen, Emma, and Marth have been working tirelessly; our street fair was exceptional, and that was 99% their work, so I am a good cheerleader. I also like that we get to be a part of the heartbeat of what goes on in Downtown Mount Vernon, which makes me proud. It gives us a voice to speak positively about our community and allows us to encourage others to participate.
Q: What keeps you motivated to stay involved?
Wilson: I am motivated to stay involved because I have only been the president of the board for under a year, so I feel an obligation to maintain consistency. I am inspired to move that role forward and build up our board to be even stronger, so that we can branch out into different groups, such as “promotions.” I am inspired because Mount Vernon seems to be on a trajectory that is exciting. It’s like jumping on the bandwagon, rather than bailing out the ship, and I like bandwagons, so here I am!
Q: How has serving on the board changed your perspective on the community?
Wilson: Being on the board and a part of the Downtown Association and being privy to all that happens through the organization has made me more deeply appreciate that this really is the heartbeat of the community, alongside schools and different things. Though our downtown is and can be way more of the heartbeat, and so that is what we are fostering. Asking questions like ‘how can we make people have a true sense of ownership of their community within our downtown?’ Between the activities that we do- programs, parades, and other fun stuff– those things make people feel a sense of ownership, which is really important.
Q: What’s something about your role that might surprise people?
Wilson: So, within my role as president, I don't think I have anything that really surprises me. Though being on the board retreat and learning the expectations of the board, the president, and the chairs, I found it to be a significant responsibility. My understanding of what our roles entail has grown. While it's a little intimidating, I am committed to seeing it happen because I want nothing but the best for the community and staff of the MVDA. To make the board more efficient and productive is something I am looking forward to being a part of.
Q: What do you hope to leave behind or accomplish during your time on the board?
Wilson: I hope to leave behind something that is solid and very forward in motion. Within the board, we need to beef it up and acquire more invested individuals with clear roles who lean more into their responsibilities, as well as robust communities that can do hands-on, feet-on-the-ground work set by the board and staff. I also hope to leave behind a sense that it is an honor to be on the board, a privilege, and fun!
Q: Why does downtown Mount Vernon matter to you?
Wilson: Our downtown is vital to people's sense of belonging and sense of community. Decades ago, our downtown used to have department stores, three movie theaters, and you’d get your shoes down here– all those things went away for a while, and they are starting to come back. This gives people a sense of place, and I think with the digital world that we live in and the frenetic world beyond, to have a true sense of place that you know cares about you is essential to wellbeing. I did not even realize this as much until I, too, became a downtown fixture, if you will, with my flower shop; it's kinda crucial to the lifeblood of Mount Vernon.
