Bethany Kendall may be best remembered for trying

Bethany Kendall may be best remembered for trying to update the image of the Boston Idea

Group during an especially volatile time in the communications industry.

Serving as president during both the dot-com boom of the late 1990s and the succeeding economic malaise, Kendall is stepping down July 12 after leading the group for nearly five years. She has cited personal reasons as prompting her unexpected departure. Board member Jim Fitts will serve as interim president.

Sources have suggested that Kendall—president of Boston’s Downtown Crossing Association from 1980-97—was actually somewhat slow to react to the fast-changing environment, and that the group’s board of directors have for some time wanted to bring in leadership more in tune with today’s marketplace.

Membership has also become an increasing concern.