Washington, D.C. –At the 13th anniversary of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C., William (Bill) McLeod, Executive Director of the Dupont Circle Business Improvement District (BID), received a Humanitarian Award alongside three other recipients for his long-standing contribution to community development and neighborhood revitalization.
The ceremony, held last evening, brought together diplomats, nonprofit leaders, faith representatives, and civic advocates who have shaped social engagement and volunteerism throughout the capital. The National Affairs Office, located in the Dupont Circle area, recognized McLeod for his extensive work improving Washington’s urban neighborhoods through preservation, public programming, and inclusive cultural initiatives.
A statement from the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office cited McLeod’s long history of civic service:
“For almost fifteen years, our office has worked with Bill McLeod here in the Dupont Circle community. As a founding member of the Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets in 2003, our office joined others in helping to make Dupont Circle a destination.
Bill joined our Main Street team in 2013 and was the executive director for over nine years. His passion for our area is reflected in many ways, including bringing to our area the programs called DC Art All Night and the First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle, which highlight artists at dozens of art galleries and other locations.
Bill is now the executive director of the Dupont Circle Business Improvement District (BID) and has greatly expanded the First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle program. Our office participates in the Art Walk each month, helping to bring thousands to our community to showcase the amazing work of talented artists.
Bill has given his professional life to our neighborhoods, residents, businesses, and embassies. He has been and continues to be, for us, an extremely stable and helpful friend.”
McLeod’s career reflects a consistent focus on bringing life and identity to Washington’s core districts through the arts, business collaboration, and public engagement. His work has bridged historic preservation with modern urban needs, creating spaces where residents, entrepreneurs, and visitors can interact meaningfully.
As Executive Director of the Dupont Circle BID since January 2023, McLeod has overseen projects that blend public improvement with community inclusion. Among them is the proposed cap park over Connecticut Avenue NW, an ambitious plan that would reconnect urban sections divided by traffic infrastructure while providing new green space. Under his leadership, the BID has also expanded key cultural programs such as the monthly First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle and DC Art All Night, which together draw thousands of attendees and participants from embassies, galleries, and local organizations.
Before assuming his current position, McLeod served as Executive Director of Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets from 2013 to 2022. There, he helped revitalize the area by fostering business growth, promoting historic architecture, and increasing cultural events that brought visibility and economic energy to the neighborhood. His leadership helped make Dupont Circle a model of community-based revitalization sustained through volunteer networks and partnerships with civic agencies.
McLeod previously held executive roles at other key improvement districts across the city. As head of the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District, he guided marketing, planning, and economic development efforts on the city’s east end. Earlier, at Barracks Row Main Street on Capitol Hill, he contributed to the transformation of 8th Street SE into a thriving corridor known for its local shops and dining establishments.
His earlier work with the National Trust for Historic Preservation deepened his understanding of sustainable urban development. There, he managed the Main Street America Institute and the Great American Main Street Awards, initiatives that strengthened national recognition for community-driven preservation.
McLeod earned an MBA from The George Washington University and a B.A. in Social Science from Houghton University in New York. Colleagues describe him as steady, thoughtful, and highly collaborative, a leader who listens and brings people together rather than directing from above.
His work extends beyond conventional urban management. In Dupont Circle, McLeod’s projects have integrated local art, small business visibility, and the city’s international character. By linking embassies and cultural institutions to public programming, he has helped position the neighborhood as one of Washington’s most creative and globally connected districts.
For those who have partnered with him over the years, McLeod’s recognition was both fitting and well-deserved. His dedication has centered on civic diplomacy, ensuring that revitalization strikes a balance between preservation and innovation. This approach, which insists that heritage and progress coexist, has made Dupont Circle and other Washington corridors more inclusive, drawing together residents, visitors, and international audiences into a shared, vital community.
