Gabino Arredondo
Project Manager
City of Richmond
- Beyond the Pilot: Scaling Clean Mobility Projects That Actually Last
Gabino Arredondo (He/Him) has more than 15 years of experience in local government with the City of Richmond, California. He currently serves as a Project Manager in the Public Works Department, where he supports Transportation Services, including R-Transit, the City’s paratransit program, as well as initiatives that expand access to clean, equitable, and sustainable transportation options. Throughout his career, Gabino has worked across a range of City initiatives focused on health equity, housing, college access, parks, and inclusive community engagement. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA and a Master of Arts from UC Berkeley.
Gregory Barfield
Director of Transportation
Fresno Area Express (FAX)
- Beyond the Pilot: Scaling Clean Mobility Projects That Actually Last
Gregory Barfield (He/Him) serves as Director of Transportation for Fresno Area Express where he provides the day-to-day leadership of the 550-person department with an overall budget of over $244 million that covers FAX, fixed route bus services, and paratransit services. He has previously served in a dual role as an Assistant City Manager for the City of Fresno and as the Assistant Director of Transportation for FAX. He has worked at all levels of government, been active in many local, state and federal political campaigns over the last 40 plus years with time spent working with community-based nonprofits, institutions of higher learning and private business along the way. Gregory is a proud graduate of California State University Fresno with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a graduate of Fresno Pacific University’s School of Business with a Master in Leadership and Organizational Studies.
Brytanee Brown
Founder and Principal
emergent labs
- What Does Leadership Look Like Right Now?
Brytanee Brown (She/Her) is the Founder and Principal of emergent labs, an equity-centered strategy and design firm advancing transportation equity and community-informed planning. With more than 15 years of experience across government, nonprofit, and consulting sectors, Brytanee helps public agencies, organizations, and communities translate equity goals into actionable strategies, programs, and investments. Through emergent labs, she leads work at the intersection of transportation, community engagement, organizational strategy, and equitable implementation, partnering with state agencies, local governments, community-based organizations, and transportation leaders to design processes that center lived experience, strengthen community power, and improve how institutions make decisions.
Previously, Brytanee served as a Senior Planner with the City of Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT), where she spearheaded the East Oakland Mobility Action Plan, helping catalyze more than $30 million in equitable transportation investments; managed community planning for approximately $100 million in paving improvements; and directed equity-centered transportation initiatives within OakDOT’s Capital Improvement Program.
Clarrissa Cabansagan
Executive Director
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
- What Does Leadership Look Like Right Now?
Clarrissa Cabansagan (She/Her) is the Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC), leading efforts to build healthier, more just communities across San Mateo and Santa Clara County by making bicycling safe and accessible for everyone. With two decades of experience advancing transportation justice alongside immigrant and working-class families, her policy expertise spans bicycle and pedestrian planning, public transit, congestion pricing, transit-oriented development, and tech-enabled mobility.
Prior to SVBC, Clarrissa served as Policy Director at Transform, where she strengthened bike/pedestrian access to public transit and forged critical public-private partnerships to expand shared mobility in Black and Brown communities. Her commitment to mobility justice began early, organizing bus riders against service cuts with Oakland-based Urban Habitat and the Los Angeles Bus Riders Union. A resident of South San Francisco, Clarrissa holds a Master in Urban and Regional Planning from UCLA and a Bachelor in Ethnic Studies with a minor in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley.
Daniela Castañeda
Emerging Mobility Transportation Specialist
San Jose, Department of Transportation
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Daniela (She/Her) is an Emerging Mobility Transportation Specialist at the City of San José Department of Transportation, where she manages a portfolio that consists of the East San José Mobility Equity Project, a Clean Mobility in Schools grant that funds the Mobility Wallet pilot, the Promotoras workforce development program, and bike education school programming; the Clean Mobility Options Voucher Program, expanding bike share to East San José through !Bikeshare en Mayfair!; and the Measure B Valley Transit Authority (VTA) funded Pa’Lante SJ Your Eastside Neighborhood Ride! microtransit pilot program.
Her path to transportation began at Facebook, where she worked as a cafeteria worker and organized over 1,000 of her coworkers to win union recognition and better working conditions. She then moved into the nonprofit sector, working at Unity Care supporting foster youth, and at YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley advocating for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, before landing at the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, where her work centered on bike justice. That background in labor organizing and social service now shapes the community-centered approach she brings to transportation and social equity work today.
Chris Chavez
Deputy Policy Director
Coalition for Clean Air (CCA)
- Policy in Action: Engaging Decision-Makers for Equitable Mobility
Chris Chavez (He/Him) joined CCA in 2017, and works on the State Budget, local advocacy and issues involving low-income and disadvantaged communities. Previously, Chris served as a Legislative Aide for former State Senator Fran Pavley (Ret.), staffing her on transportation, local government and the Senate floor. Additionally, Chris served as a Senate Fellow for former State Senator Alex Padilla and staffed legislation that improved rail service in Southern California. Prior to his time at the Capitol, Chris was a student advocate for California’s public higher education system. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach, and is a member of the City of Long Beach’s Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission.
Ali Cooper
Chief Operating Officer
EVGIDE
- Clean Mobility Forum Master of Ceremonies (MC)
Ali Cooper (He/Him) is Chief Operating Officer of EVGIDE (Electric Vehicle. Get In. Drive Everywhere.), a clean-energy infrastructure company integrating shared electric mobility, EV charging, on-site energy, technology, and community partnerships into durable systems. Drawing on 20 years of experience as an organizer, Ali works with Tribal Nations, public agencies, universities, local governments, and community-based organizations to move complex projects from concept to implementation. His work focuses on building cross-sector partnerships and operating models that expand access to affordable transportation while sustaining community benefits beyond individual grants. Ali believes the future of clean mobility depends on building the system, not just the fleet.
Zack Deutsch-Gross
Executive Director
Transform
- From Conversation to Collaboration: Advancing Clean Mobility Together
Zack Deutsch-Gross (He/Him) is the Executive Director of Transform, an Oakland-based nonprofit that envisions vibrant neighborhoods, transformed by excellent, sustainable mobility options and affordable housing, where those historically impacted by racist disinvestment now have power and voice. For Zack, transportation isn’t about getting from A to B, but fundamentally about who has a right to public space and access to opportunity. An organizer by trade, Zack is focused on demystifying housing and transportation decision-making to put climate, equity and community first. Zack previously served as Transform’s Policy Director, and before that was the Advocacy Director at San Francisco Transit Riders. He holds a Master in Public Policy from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies from UC Santa Cruz. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and toddler, who insists they ride the bus every day.
Louie Dias
Program Manager
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
- EV Infrastructure in Practice: From Planning to Installation to Operations
Louie Dias (He/Him) is a Program Manager at the SMUD, in the Distributed Energy Solutions unit, focused on supporting commercial customers with electric vehicle (EV) charging planning, project execution, and incentives. In 2022, he launched SMUD’s Advisory program to create customized reports for municipal and private fleet EV transitions, and currently leads the SMUD eFuel program, where he directly manages EV charging installation projects. These projects include charging for municipal fleets, workplace charging, and expanding SMUD’s public direct current fast charging network. His previous role was the United States EV Charging Specialist for a heavy-duty EV manufacturer, leading equipment procurements and utility engagement for electric bus and trucking projects.
Nidia Erceg
Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Equity Advocate
California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
- Beyond the Pilot: Scaling Clean Mobility Projects That Actually Last
With a career spanning environmental policy, community organizing, and sustainable transportation, Nidia Erceg (She/Her) is committed to advancing environmental justice and building healthier, more equitable communities.
Currently serving as the Governor-appointed ZEV Equity Advocate within GO-Biz, Nidia leads the development of California’s statewide ZEV Equity Action Plan. In this role, Nidia works across state agencies—including California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, California State Transportation Agency, California Department of Transportation, and California Transportation Commission—to establish a shared vision and coordinated equity agenda for the deployment of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles, supporting infrastructure, and workforce development. This work also involves strengthening transparency, communication, and accountability while incorporating equity principles into California’s broader ZEV market-development efforts.
Previously, she served as an Air Quality Advisor in Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office through C40, organizing community meetings focused on emissions reductions and climate resilience. This experience deepened her dedication to environmental progress and led to a subsequent role as Acting Organizing Deputy Director for the Sierra Club. There, Nidia oversaw nationwide programs and led teams working on land conservation, emissions reductions, and air-quality improvements in underserved communities.
Craig Flax
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Youth Transportation Organization (Yoots)
- EV Infrastructure in Practice: From Planning to Installation to Operations
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Craig Flax (He/Him) is the Founder and CEO of Youth Transportation Organization, a Bay Area nonprofit that aims to eliminate transportation as a barrier to equity for underserved youth. Through the Clean Mobility Options program, earlier this year, he launched a youth outdoor excursion transportation service, serving partners including West Contra Costa Unified School District and the Richmond Outdoor Coalition. In addition to the service, Craig also deployed electric vehicle chargers to power Yoots’s clean fleet of electric vehicles and a bus. Prior to Yoots, Craig spent two decades in business leadership and sustainability; he has guided organizations in advancing sustainability initiatives, developing evaluation frameworks, and implementing responsible business practices across diverse sectors.
Dr. Kamal Hamdan
Annenberg Endowed Professor and Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in STEM Education
California State University, Dominguez Hills
- Where Projects Get Stuck: A Joint Problem-Solving Session with Agencies & Implementers
Dr. Kamal Hamdan (He/Him) is the Annenberg Endowed Professor and Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in STEM Education at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), with more than 35 years of experience in California K–12 and higher education. Over the past 25 years at CSUDH, he has led more than 20 federally and state-funded STEM initiatives, including the establishment of the Toyota Center for Innovation in STEM Education, the Technology for Everyone project, and the Center for Resilient, Equitable, and Sustainable Transportation. His leadership has earned systemwide recognition, including the 2016 Wang Family Excellence Award, and most recently led to the launch of the Toro Clean Air Carshare program, expanding affordable and sustainable transportation access for the CSUDH and South Los Angeles communities.
Rachel Heckl
Executive Director
Míocar
- Where Projects Get Stuck: A Joint Problem-Solving Session with Agencies & Implementers
Rachel (She/Her) has worked in shared mobility deployment and operations for 10 years. She currently serves as Executive Director of Míocar, the first and longest running electric vehicle carsharing program focusing on rural and smaller cities of the San Joaquin Valley and California. In this role, she has worked with Chief Operating Officer Gloria Huerta to secure long term contracts in the core service areas, develop longstanding partnerships in communities and raise over $5M in continuation funding to support Míocar which is going into its 8th year of operations. She and Gloria have worked to ensure sustainability of Míocar through intensive staff development and strategic regional partnerships.
Additionally, Rachel Heckl has worked on a variety of hybrid carsharing microtransit service pilot projects including Mobility as a Service and demand responsive service pilots including Green Raiteros in Huron, CA, volunteer-based transportation services, VAMOS and Valley GO service in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties, CA. She is currently leading Míocar’s work in strategic partnerships to support broader electrification and energy management strategies to explore deeper systems level development to support scaling programs like Míocar.
Paul D. Hernandez
Founder & Principal
WattDingo LLC
- Where Projects Get Stuck: A Joint Problem-Solving Session with Agencies & Implementers
Paul Hernandez (He/Him) is the Founder and Principal of WattDingo LLC, a Richmond, California-based firm established in 2024 to help clients translate clean transportation policy, data, and market complexity into clear, actionable next steps. With more than 10 years of experience in the clean transportation sector, Paul’s work focuses on zero-emission vehicles, charging infrastructure, renewable energy, e-mobility, and the emerging technologies shaping how people, goods, and energy move. He is excited to bring WattDingo’s thoughtful analysis and practical perspective to the Forum community.
Brian Harold
Evaluation Specialist
University of California, Davis Institute of Transportation Studies
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Brian Harold (He/Him) is a Policy Evaluation Specialist with the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies. His work focuses on evaluating the design and outcomes of transportation, energy, and natural resources initiatives, with an emphasis on shared mobility and transportation equity programs. Recent research relates to understanding the effects of mobility pilots in underserved rural and suburban communities and advancing evaluation practices for state climate investments. Brian holds a Bachelor of Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master of Business Administration from San Francisco State University.
Sarah Huang
Program Manager
Shared-Use Mobility Center
- What You Won’t See on the Tour
Sarah Huang (She/Her) is a Program Manager at Shared-Use Mobility Center, where she supports the Clean Mobility Options Program to provide clean transportation solutions to California’s underserved communities. She oversees the Clean Mobility Equity Alliance, which is a peer-learning network which provides resources, training, and group discussions to help support project implementation and advance equity and justice in the clean mobility space. Sarah also leads technical assistance for project implementation and supports event planning for the Clean Mobility Forum. Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts in Geography & Environmental Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Gloria Huerta
Chief Operating Officer
Míocar
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Gloria Huerta, (She/Ella) Míocar’s Chief Operating Officer, has been involved in developing, implementing, and managing carshare operations and member services throughout the United States over the last six years. In her current role, her primary focus has been on the strategic development, deployment, management, and expansion of Míocar’s electric vehicle carsharing program available in Richmond, Stockton, Tracy, Tulare County, Kern County, and Watsonville. As someone who grew up in Orosi, an unincorporated community where Míocar originally launched, Gloria has seen the impact that a mobility program like Míocar has had in her community.
Joey Juhasz Lukomski
Director of Bikeshare Operations
LEAP Institute
- Rethinking Success: Data, Evaluation & Community Impact Without Harm
Joey (He/Him) is the Director of Bikeshare Operations at the LEAP (Latino Equity Advocacy and Policy) Institute, bringing accessible e-bike libraries to rural farmworker communities. He lives in Fillmore, California with his wife, her sons, and two cats.
Eli Akira Kaufman
Executive Director
BikeLA
- Who Gets to Ride? Designing Mobility Systems That Deliver on Equity
Eli Akira Kaufman (He/Him) is the Executive Director of BikeLA, where he champions a more sustainable, people-centered Los Angeles by advancing safe, accessible, and equitable mobility. His work focuses on transforming how Angelenos move through their communities—expanding active transportation options, cultivating cross-sector partnerships, and empowering residents to choose cleaner, healthier ways to navigate the city, namely by bicycle. Since taking the helm of BikeLA in 2019, Eli has helped strengthen regional partnerships and programs that make bicycling more viable and inclusive across Los Angeles County. His work has included close collaboration with Metro Bike Share and LACMTA on outreach, education, rides, and classes designed to increase access to bike share, alongside broader advocacy for safer street design and more connected communities.
Guided by a belief that sustainability thrives when people feel connected, supported, and empowered to shape their communities, Eli works to amplify local voices and reimagine streets as shared public spaces that bring people together. He serves as a Mayoral Appointee to the City of Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee and was elected to the City’s Street Design Modernization Community Project Advisory Committee. He is a Social Justice Partners Los Angeles Fellow and represented Los Angeles at the Global Policy Leadership Academy’s Vienna Social Housing Field Study on international best practices in mixed-income housing. Eli recently completed his fellowship with the Coro California Climate Resilience Leadership Network.
Linda Khamoushian
Senior Clean Mobility Strategist
Grid Alternatives
- Policy in Action: Engaging Decision-Makers for Equitable Mobility
Linda Khamoushian (She/Her) serves as the Senior Clean Mobility Strategist at GRID Alternatives, where she works to extend clean energy and transportation electrification benefits to environmental justice communities first, and works alongside coalition partners and community members to shape state and national transportation policy and programs. Prior to GRID, Linda spent 4 years in Sacramento as a policy advocate and later policy director for the California Bicycle Coalition, where she led legislative policy campaigns to advance safe, accessible, reliable and sustainable transportation investments for all Californians. Linda is a Los Angeles native, and graduate of UC Berkeley and UCLA with a Master of Urban and Regional Planning.
Carter Lavin
Co-Founder
Transbay Coalition
- From Conversation to Collaboration: Advancing Clean Mobility Together
Carter Lavin (He/Him) is a co-founder of the Bay Area transportation advocacy group Transbay Coalition and the author of the book If You Want To Win, You’ve Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy published by Princeton University Press. Since 2019, Transbay Coalition has helped win over a billion dollars in funding for transit, and over a dozen small policy changes throughout the region that makes getting around the Bay easier for everyone.
Dr. Cassandra Little
Chief Executive Officer
Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
- Beyond the Pilot: Scaling Clean Mobility Projects That Actually Last
Dr. Cassandra Little (She/Her) is the Chief Executive Officer of the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce and founding leader of the Bizwerx Mobility & Innovation Hub. She has positioned the Chamber as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, spearheading clean mobility, workforce, and entrepreneurship initiatives that uplift historically underserved communities across Fresno County and beyond. With a background in social work and a trauma-informed, people-first approach, Dr. Little has advanced multimillion-dollar programs that connect small businesses, entrepreneurs, and youth to opportunities in clean technology, procurement, and economic resilience. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Criminology at California State University, Fresno, where she equips students with the tools to address equity, justice, and systemic change.
Jennifer Ledet
Program Director
Transform
- Rethinking Success: Data, Evaluation & Community Impact Without Harm
Jennifer Ledet (She/Her) is the Program Director at Transform, leading several programs including the West Alameda Mobility for All project, a community-led transportation needs assessment.
Her work is community-centered and focuses on uplifting and empowering people from youth to caregivers to residents across the Bay Area. Jennifer works to make active and shared transportation options accessible and fun for all. She has a background in health promotion and education and weaves both into her work.
Jaime Lemus
Director of Transportation and Climate Change Division
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
- Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
Jaime (He/El) attended UC Davis in 1997 where he began his research on air pollution and environmental degradation in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. Jaime started his career at the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District in 2001, and since, has gained a wide breadth of experience working in multiple divisions in various capacities. He was appointed as Director of the Transportation and Climate Change Division in September 2019 and now leads the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District in advancing innovative transportation and land use strategies in the region to mitigate climate impact and improve regional air quality.
Alexia Melendez Martineau
Partner Success Principal
Via
- Beyond the Pilot: Scaling Clean Mobility Projects That Actually Last
Alexia Melendez Martineau (She/Her) is a Partner Success Principal at Via, leading partnerships with public transit agencies, municipalities, and mobility operators to transform urban and rural transportation. Having previously served as Senior Policy Manager at Plug In America and led clean transportation policy work at Climate Group, Alexia brings a holistic perspective to modern transit challenges. Alexia graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.
Erlin Martinez
Program Manager
Catalyst Mobility
- EV Infrastructure in Practice: From Planning to Installation to Operations
Erlin (She/Her) is a Program Manager at Catalyst Mobility. She supports awardees of the Clean Mobility Options (CMO) program and community partners in navigating long-term sustainability of shared mobility projects. She guides and helps coordinate efforts to nurture relationships and build partnerships, actively engaging with the Clean Mobility Equity Alliance (CMEA). She co-leads the CMEA Long-term Sustainability Working Group, a platform for shared mobility project implementers to collaborate, address challenges, and share effective financial and long-term project viability strategies. Prior to joining Catalyst Mobility, Erlin held roles in public transportation and higher education, building expertise in government relations, grant administration, community engagement, and regulatory compliance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master of Science in Transportation Management from San Jose State University.
Dr. Lauren N. McCarthy
Senior Director of Research and Impact
Shared-Use Mobility Center
- Rethinking Success: Data, Evaluation & Community Impact Without Harm
Lauren N. McCarthy, PhD, (She/Her) is the Senior Director of Research and Impact at the Shared-Use Mobility Center, where she oversees the research agenda and provides oversight, guidance, and direction for multiple research initiatives and programs. She also leads impact analysis and reporting, ensuring that SUMC’s projects are data-driven, culturally responsive, and community-centered. Her experience includes coordinating large-scale policy evaluations, designing capacity-building programs with community partners, and guiding culturally responsive research methodologies. Lauren’s work focuses on the analysis, diffusion, and impact of investments in transportation systems, emphasizing community-centered outcomes.
Before joining SUMC, Lauren was Program Manager and Senior Researcher at the Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy at George Mason University and was selected as a Google Public Policy Fellow in 2019, focusing on technology adoption in marginalized communities. She earned her doctorate from the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, where her dissertation, “Shared Mobility Systems: Frameworks to Understand the Growth of an Industry and the Prospect of Public Investments,” explores diffusion models and evaluation frameworks applicable to novel transportation technologies, particularly micromobility. Lauren also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Geography from the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.
Angelina Moradzadeh
Founder and President
Aura Planning
- EV Infrastructure in Practice: From Planning to Installation to Operations
Angelina (She/Her) is the Founder and President of Aura Planning, Inc. She has over 20 years of experience in transportation planning, project management, community development, and impact analysis. Angelina is deeply committed to social and environmental justice, focusing on creating transformative clean mobility solutions for underserved communities. She successfully led Sacramento’s first-ever E-Mobility Hub, located in Del Paso Heights, in collaboration with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). This initiative prioritizes transportation equity, grid resilience, and the expansion of accessible charging options across the greater Sacramento region. Her work has earned her a nomination for the California Energy Commission Hall of Fame Award (2022) in recognition of her leadership in clean energy and community empowerment.
Gina O’Neal
Air Quality Analyst and Planner
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD)
- What You Won’t See on the Tour
Gina O’Neal (She/Her) is an Air Quality Analyst and Planner with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD), where she has dedicated the past decade to advancing equitable, community‑focused mobility and air quality initiatives. As part of the District’s Special Projects team, Gina leads efforts to bring clean transportation solutions and air quality benefits directly to underserved neighborhoods. Her work has helped shape some of the region’s most innovative programs, including the development of Sacramento’s first Mobility Hub in Del Paso Heights, the mobility and access expansion at Community Resource Project’s Louise Perez Center, and the ongoing management support of the Our Community CarShare program.
Throughout her ten years with SMAQMD, Gina has focused on designing programs that reduce transportation barriers for community members—creating pathways for residents to reliably access work, school, medical appointments, essential services, and everyday destinations. Her commitment to equity-driven planning and her collaborative approach with community-based organizations have made her a key contributor to projects that improve both mobility and air quality across Sacramento’s most impacted neighborhoods.
Colin Patterson
Associate Transportation Planner
City of Hayward
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Colin Patterson (He/Him) is an Associate Transportation Planner and manages the Hayward Rides Program along with other traffic calming and long-range planning projects at the City of Hayward. He has a Bachelor of Science in City and Regional Planning and a Master of City and Regional Planning and Master of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering, specializing in transportation from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo and a Master of Arts in Design for Sustainability from Savannah College of Art and Design. He joined the City of Hayward in 2023 and brings a unique perspective to various transportation projects as an avid and professional cyclist.
Angel Pippins-Lopez
Transportation & Planning Program Manager
City Heights Community Development Corporation
- Rethinking Success: Data, Evaluation & Community Impact Without Harm
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Angel Pippins-Lopez (He/Him) is a transportation and community planning practitioner based in San Diego, California. As Program Manager of Transportation & Planning at City Heights Community Development Corporation, he advances community-led planning processes that center residents most impacted by infrastructure investment, displacement pressure, and gaps in public resources. Angel manages implementation of the $3.3 million CARB-funded SR-15 Sustainable Redevelopment Project and supports engagement for major planning efforts, including the Mid-City Communities Plan Update, the SR-94 Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan, and San Diego Association of Governments mobility initiatives. Across this work, he focuses on translating complex land use, transportation, and infrastructure concepts into clear, community-centered conversations. By connecting technical analysis with lived experience, Angel helps residents identify priorities, advocate for investment, and shape more just, connected, and resilient neighborhoods.
Vivian Rahwanji
Chief Programs Office
Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC)
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Vivian Rahwanji (She/Her) serves as the Chief Programs Officer at Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Richmond, California. In this role, she spearheads the organization’s state-funded transportation equity initiatives, the Driving Clean Assistance Program and the Zero-Emissions Assurance Program. She also provides leadership and strategic direction for CHDC’s Homeownership Center, Resource Development, Policy Initiatives, and lending programs through its affiliate organization, Community First Lending. Vivian leads the development and implementation of innovative strategies that expand access to equitable transportation solutions for low-income, Tribal, and disadvantaged communities throughout California. She plays a key role in advancing the California Air Resources Board’s Financing Assistance Program and Clean Cars for All initiatives, helping residents overcome transportation barriers while promoting environmental sustainability, economic mobility, and access to opportunity.
Justine Recio-Patel
Associate Transportation Analyst
Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG)
- Who Gets to Ride? Designing Mobility Systems That Deliver on Equity
Justine Recio-Patel, AICP, (She/Her) is an Associate Transportation Analyst at the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, where she works on regional transportation planning and community-centered program implementation. She currently supports SACOG’s Mobility Zones and EEI initiatives, coordinating across local jurisdictions, community-based organizations, consultants, and internal teams. Justine is particularly interested in how regional agencies can better translate community priorities into action, strengthen cross-jurisdictional partnerships, and support locally led implementation. Her work focuses on advancing equitable, community-informed infrastructure investments that expand access to clean, shared, and active transportation. She holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University and earned her AICP certification in 2025.
Alejandro Rios
Transportation Planner
LADOT
- Who Gets to Ride? Designing Mobility Systems That Deliver on Equity
Alejandra Rios (She/Her) is a Transportation Planner for the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), where she leads projects within the Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) Division. Her work centers on advancing more equitable transportation options and expanding access to safe, reliable mobility for low-income and historically underserved communities. She holds a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from UCLA, where she researched transportation equity, mobility justice, and the experiences of marginalized communities.
Dr. Caroline Rodier
Associate Director of the Urban Land Use and Transportation Center
UC Davis
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Dr. Rodier (She/Her) is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California at Davis. Her recent research includes evaluations of mobility wallets in Los Angeles, Stockton, and San Jose. Through those evaluations, she has learned a great deal about the design, operation, and funding of mobility wallet programs.
Xitlalitl Shafer
Project Coordinator
Civic Thread
- Who Gets to Ride? Designing Mobility Systems That Deliver on Equity
Xitlalitl Shafer (She/Her) is a Project Coordinator at Civic Thread, working at the intersection of transportation, environmental justice, and community empowerment. She supports equitable planning efforts across urban and rural communities, with a strong focus on Yuba/Sutter and Yolo Counties, helping connect community voices to decisions that shape local transportation, public spaces, and community development. A graduate of UC Davis, Xitlalitl combines her background in sustainable environmental design and community development with a passion for inclusive engagement and collaborative problem-solving. As a bilingual and biliterate Spanish speaker, she works to reduce language barriers and ensure Spanish-speaking residents have equitable opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their mobility, health, and quality of life. Through community outreach, workshop facilitation, and stakeholder engagement, she is committed to building trust and creating meaningful opportunities for residents to help shape the future of their communities.
Hani Shamat
Program Manager
Shared-Use Mobility Center
- Who Gets to Ride? Designing Mobility Systems That Deliver on Equity
Hani Shamat (He/Him) is a Program Manager at the Shared-Use Mobility Center. At SUMC, Hani leads projects focused on innovative mobility and capacity building for transit agencies and cities nationwide. His work includes developing tools, conducting research, and creating content for the Mobility Learning Center, evaluating programs, and providing technical assistance for emerging transportation pilots. Hani has contributed extensively to research on the safety and economic outcomes of shared mobility initiatives, first- and last-mile mobility, and the economic, social, and access impacts of emerging modes. He has authored studies of innovative mobility initiatives across the US and worked on evaluations of mobility programs in numerous cities. Hani holds a bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University and a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Public Administration from Northwestern University, where he completed a thesis on transportation access, bikeshare, and multimodal mobility.
Angela Shen
Grant Administrator
Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Angela Shen (She/Her) is a grants and program development professional with more than 15 years of experience in public-sector and community-focused initiatives. At the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), she supports grant development, program partnerships, capital projects, and community development initiatives focused on expanding economic opportunity and improving quality of life for residents. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, learning languages, and doting on her two cats, Nimbus and Tiger.
Taylor Sieben
Senior Program Manager
Grid Alternatives
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Taylor Sieben (She/Her) is a Senior Program Manager at GRID Alternatives and has been working in the clean transportation sector for the last 9 years. She focuses on outreach and incentive programs that help get program dollars into the right hands: communities who have historically faced the greatest environmental, economic, and racial injustices.
Katherine Stubbs
Senior Project Manager
emergent labs
- From Conversation to Collaboration: Advancing Clean Mobility Together
Katherine (She/Her) is a Senior Project Manager at emergent labs, where she embeds equity, access, and community-centered strategy into every phase of program development, helping partners translate values into measurable impact. With a background in public policy, economic development, and travel demand management, Katherine Stubbs has worked across philanthropic, nonprofit, government, and consulting sectors to advance her vision for an accessible, inclusive, and livable future for all – regardless of zip code.
As an advocate for advancing transportation equity and mobility justice, particularly for marginalized communities, Katherine is committed to challenging dominant planning practices and creating frameworks and platforms that build community power in disinvested neighborhoods. Through culturally informed data and engagement tools, she supports processes that enable Black communities and other communities of color to reimagine the built environment as spaces of belonging.
Byron Tang
Deputy Director of Public Works
City of Hayward
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Byron Tang (He/Him) is the Deputy Director of Public Works – Transportation and manages the Transportation Division at the City of Hayward. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from California State University, Sacramento and is a registered professional civil engineer and traffic engineer in the state of California. He joined the City of Hayward in 2022 and brings over 15 years of experience in traffic engineering, transportation planning, and managing various transportation projects. In his spare time, you can find him on a soccer field, playing the piano, or going on adventures with his four-year-old son.
Orville Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Cal EPIC
- What You Won’t See on the Tour
Orville Thomas (He/Him) serves as the CEO of Cal EPIC, formerly the California Mobility Center (CMC). In his role, he works with stakeholders to accelerate clean energy, power, and zero-emission technology development as the CMC builds out 25-acres of research, development, and manufacturing space in Sacramento, California. Prior to Cal EPIC, Orville served as the State Policy Director for CALSTART, Government Relations Director for Lion Electric, and Government Affairs Director for the California Immigrant Policy Center. He has also worked on California’s high-speed rail project while working for the administration of Governor Jerry Brown. Orville has a Master of Public Policy degree from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Policy and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio and TV Communication from San Francisco State University.
Raul Tovar
Assistant Regional Planner
San Joaquin Council of Governments
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Raul Tovar (He/Him) is an Assistant Regional Planner at the San Joaquin Council of Governments, where he supports active transportation, clean mobility, and regional planning initiatives. His work includes coordinating the Bike San Joaquin program, which expands access to affordable electric bikes throughout San Joaquin County. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Environmental Design from UC Davis.
Shante Walker
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
The Niles Foundation
- What Does Leadership Look Like Right Now?
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Shante Walker (She/Her) is a community leader, entrepreneur, clean mobility advocate, and Founder and CEO of The Niles Foundation, a nonprofit organization advancing environmental justice, economic opportunity, food security, and community resilience throughout Los Angeles. A passionate advocate for women’s leadership in climate and sustainability, Walker works to expand opportunities for women and underrepresented leaders to participate in shaping the future of environmental policy, clean transportation, and community development. She holds three college degrees, including a Master of Professional Studies in Psychology of Leadership from Penn State University, bringing a unique perspective on leadership, organizational development, and systems change.
As the creator of EVCLEAN15, a pioneering zero-emissions community micro-transit initiative serving Los Angeles Council District 15, Walker champions equitable access to clean transportation while fostering community engagement and workforce development. She also launched The Halo Food Project, Los Angeles’ first Zero-Emissions Vehicle Retail Grocery Store, an innovative model that combines sustainable transportation, food access, and climate-conscious community service to address disparities in underserved neighborhoods. Under her leadership, The Niles Foundation has mobilized hundreds of volunteers, served thousands of residents annually, and developed innovative programs that connect clean mobility, food security, workforce development, and climate resilience.
Jeanie Ward-Waller
Director of Transportation
Fearless Advocacy
- What Does Leadership Look Like Right Now?
Jeanie Ward-Waller (She/Her) joined Fearless Advocacy in 2024 as the first Director of Transportation Advocacy, bringing expertise from top leadership roles in government and nonprofit advocacy. For six years, Jeanie was a visible change agent inside Caltrans, as Deputy Director for Planning and Modal Programs. Prior to Caltrans, Jeanie served as the policy director for the California Bicycle Coalition and for the Safe Routes National Partnership. She began her career as a structural engineer for Boston-based LeMessurier Consultants and is a licensed professional engineer in California. Jeanie earned her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and holds two master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Cambridge.
Mars Wu
Transportation Planner
Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT)
- Learning in Practice & Building Connections: Project Showcase and Guided Networking
Mars Wu (They/She) is a Transportation Planner at the Oakland Department of Transportation. OakDOT works to envision, plan, build, operate and maintain a transportation system for the City of Oakland and assure safe, equitable, and sustainable access and mobility for residents, business and visitors.
Ava Yaghoobirad
Community Transportation Equity Lead
California Air Resources Board
- Where Projects Get Stuck: A Joint Problem-Solving Session with Agencies & Implementers
Ava Yaghoobirad (She/Her) is the Community Transportation Equity Lead at the California Air Resources Board. She helps guide the strategic direction of CARB’s clean transportation equity and community mobility investments, with a focus on expanding sustainable mobility access for low-income, disadvantaged, rural, and tribal communities. Her work also includes advancing equity-focused policy development and fostering cross-agency collaboration to accelerate zero-emission transportation solutions across California.