People

Staff

Jacqueline Douglas / Executive Director

Above all, Jackie is an advocate for the changes we all want to see on the streets of Boston, Cambridge and surrounding communities. In 2011, Jackie was awarded Advocate of the Year by the National Alliance for Biking & Walking (click here for press release). She joined LivableStreets in January 2008 as a volunteer, and then she was hired as the first full-time staff person in August 2008. One could say her interest in transportation began as a child after living in the Netherlands where she and her family cycled everywhere. Previously, Jackie worked at Earth Pledge, Westchester Children's Association, Cause Marketing Forum and Ten Second World. She sat on the Better School Food Coalition Advisory Board and the International Rescue Committee Advisory Board. Jackie graduated from Boston University with a self-designed major to study the forces that shape people, looking at factors such as cognitive development and genetics, public policy, and the built environment. She also spent a year studying abroad in the UK, Tanzania, India, New Zealand and Mexico through the International Honors Program 'Rethinking Globalization' program. Jackie is a frequent guest speaker and trainer on topics ranging from innovations in transportation, to winning campaigns, strategic planning, and leadership development. jackie@livablestreets.info

Kara Oberg / Program Manager

Kara Oberg is the Program Manager for LivableStreets. She is responsible for membership, volunteer, and event programs, and manages the web and print communication for LivableStreets. Above all, she is building upon and growing the Remove McGrath and transit funding campaigns. Kara originally joined LivableStreets team in November 2010, as an intern and then part-time staff in 2011, while she was finishing a Master of City Planning degree at Boston University. Before moving to Boston, Kara lived in Madrid, Spain, where she marveled at Madrid's subway system and walked through countless plazas. In her time abroad, she saw the transportation possibilities for cities and hopes to help bring about a world-class transportation system in the Boston region. She obtained a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Ithaca College. kara@livablestreets.info

Board of Directors

Jeffrey L. Rosenblum, PE / Co-Founder / Board President
Transportation Planner / City of Cambridge

Co-founder of LivableStreets Alliance, Jeff served as Executive Director until 2007. He is currently a transportation planner and street design engineer for the City of Cambridge. He serves on MassDOT’s Transportation Advisory Board appointed by Governor Patrick, services on Boston’s Complete Streets Advisory Committee, the Alliance for Biking and Walking Board of Directors, and participates in the Bicycle Subcommittee of the National Committee on MUTCD. Jeff has over 20 years experience in consulting, research, training & education, public policy, and community advocacy at the intersection of environment, business, and community engagement. Prior to founding LivableStreets, Jeff has worked on sustainable development projects in Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East through Cadmus Group and the Urban Institute. He used to work for the Business & Sustainability group at Tellus Institute. Jeff holds a Masters degree in Environmental Engineering and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University (working with the Green Design Research Initiative), and a Professional Engineering License from the State of Maine.jeff@livablestreets.info

Nina Garfinkle / Governance Committee Chair
Principal / Garfinkle Design

Nina Garfinkle is a designer.  She provides a usability lens to an array of design solutions that focus on people and their needs, whether it is visual communication, home and office organization, or urban streets. Nina imagines how people will interact with what they see to devise creative, simple and user-friendly solutions for everyday environments. As principal of Garfinkle Design since 1987, Nina has over 25 years of experience building brands through corporate identities, logos, signage, annual reports, websites, and direct mail. She is a frequent collaborator with prominent New England advertising agencies and design studios. In 2005, expanding on her skill for de-complicating situations, Nina created a Clutter Consulting business, to  offer her "less is more" organizing systems to residential and commercial clients. Over the last 8 years, she has extended her philosophy to “Street Interface” design, making options to walk, bike, and take transit easier for people through signage, maps, educational materials, presentations and workshop and advocacy development. Nina is a past board president  of LivableStreets Alliance and current Governance Committee chair; she also serves on the board of WalkBoston, where she chairs the Communications Committee. She is a former board member, Membership Chair and Vice President of the American Institute of Graphic Arts/Boston Chapter and a founding member of the virtual community SouthEnd.org She earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Boston University’s School of Fine Arts.

Julia Prange Wallerce /  Board Secretary
Green Development Center / Marketing and Communications Manager/Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) 

With a diverse background in community organizing, transportation planning, and local and national politics, Julia has a passion for connecting people and disciplines and rethinking
the possibilities of urban space. A native of Northern California, Julia earned her BA in Environmental Studies and Education at UC Santa Cruz and later an MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University. Jargon like ‘spatial justice’ and ‘democratizing the streetscape’ may be top discussion-starters for Julia, but really anything having to do with reallocating street space and creating more balanced and
sustainable transportation systems are enough to get her going. Since moving to Boston (for the second time) in 2007, Julia has worked for Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates, the City of Somerville, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Today, she works at Somerville Community Corporation- a nice 2 minute walk from her house- while also providing social media consulting services to several local Transportation Management Associations and running an ecommerce business. julia@livablestreets.info

Kathryn Carlson / Fundraising Committee Chair
Economist / Fidelity Investments
Kathryn Carlson is an economist at Fidelity Investments, focusing on energy, commodities and macro analysis. She holds a B.A. in Economics from WellesleyCollege and an MSc in Economics and Economic History from the London School of Economics. She grew up in Milwaukee under the “New Urbanism” administration of Mayor John Norquist, which helped fuel her passion about urban land use. Prior to joining Fidelity, she worked in the Administration of Governor Jim Doyle on financial regulation issues. She has been an avid bike commuter in Boston, London, Paris and Madison, WI and has to look up the price of gasoline on Bloomberg. Kathryn joined the LivableStreets board in 2012 with the hope of helping to spread the idea of sustainable, convenient and enjoyable urban lifestyles.Kathryn@livablestreets.info

Briana Malloy / Board Treasurer
Portfolio Operations Manager / Root Capital

Briana is the portfolio operations manager at Root Capital, a nonprofit social investment fund providing capital and financial services to small and growing businesses in developing countries. In this role Briana oversees loan documentation and credit policies and procedures. Briana holds a B.A. in International Relations and Spanish Literature from Tufts University. She has also studied at the Universidad de Chile in Santiago and the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain. Briana is a longtime Somerville resident and bicycle commuter and has a passion for cycling, gardening and all things outdoors.  She was introduced to LivableStreets Alliance through the Net Impact Board Fellows program. briana@livablestreets.info

Megan Ramey
Sustainabilty Coordinator/ A Better City

Megan Ramey is the Sustainability Coordinator for A Better City, a non-profit business membership organization working to enhance the economy through land development, transportation and the environment in downtown Boston and the Back Bay.  As Sustainability Coordinator she manages the Challenge for Sustainability, a voluntary environmental program for businesses with a strong emphasis on benchmarking, best practice sharing and ultimately greenhouse gas reduction by Boston's major commercial real estate and employers.  She likens the Challenge to 'weight watchers for businesses' and takes great pride in organizing this community.  She holds a Master in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Sciences from the University of Georgia in Athens.  Mrs. Ramey joined A Better City in 2010 after spending two years in service, volunteering for LivableStreets and she also currently sits on the advisory board to Mayor Menino for Boston Bikes.  Prior to moving to Boston, her career spanned the food, retail and hospitality industries.  In 2006, Megan claimed her entrepreneurial spirit and opened MoCo Market, a modern general store that promoted walking and biking, community and sustainable business practices. Mrs. Ramey’s trade in sustainability is mirrored at home where her husband, daughter and herself enjoy cooking with local food, spending the weekends playing outside and redefining the mini-van as a couple of vintage bikes and a burley trailer.  Their family blog is Pugvelo.com, where Gordo, their pug, explores the world by bike, train and bus. megan@livablestreets.info

Charles F. Denison IV / Advocacy Committee Chair
Sr. Applications Developer / GEODE Capital Management

Charlie holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science, and works as a software developer for Geode Capital Management, a financial services company in Boston, MA. As a bike commuter, walker, transit rider, and occasional driver he is a passionate advocate for safer and more appealing streets. Charlie has worked with LivableStreets since 2004 and has been on the Board of Directors since 2007. His primary focus with LivableStreets is direct advocacy through government agencies, local media, and other local organizations. In addition to his role with LivableStreets, he is also Vice Chair of the Somerville Bicycle Committee and a member of WalkBoston, MassBike, and the Boston Cyclists Union. charlie@livablestreets.info

Christopher Hart
Director of Urban and Transit Projects / Institute for Human Centered Design

Chris has extensive experience in public transportation, urban design, and disability work. His expertise in universal / human centered design focuses within the urban realm on transit and pedestrian design projects. He previously worked for the MBTA Office for Transportation Access. He authored the first "Getting Around Boston, A Guide for Riders of All Abilities" in 2004 and subsequent editions. He has provided pedestrian design review for the Big Dig. That work and his report "Surfaces Fit for People" earned him a “Golden Shoe Award” from WalkBoston's in 2006. In 2005-6, Chris was technical advisor during the   ADA   class action settlement negotiations between the MBTA and Greater Boston Legal Services and assisted in the writing of the final settlement.  Today, Chris continues to be heavily involved with both parties as they implement the settlement's key infrastructure, staff and policy changes.  Chris earned his Bachelors Degree at theUniversity   of   Massachusetts Boston. He is appointed to the US Transportation Research Board’s Committee for Accessible Transportation and Mobility and is a member of Project ACTION's National Steering Committee. Chris was born with cerebral palsy.   chart@livablestreets.info

Kenneth Kruckemeyer
Private transportation consultant

Ken is a private consultant specializing in the design of civil infrastructure, focusing on integrated public transport systems, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and roadway and bridge design. In his life and in his profession. He is also an adjunct Research Associate at the Center for Transportation and Logistics and Lecturer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the MIT. Ken served as Associate Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works from 1983 to 1991, where he was responsible for bridge and highway engineering, and where he co-authored the book: Bridge Design--Aesthetics and Developing Technologies. In the 1970's and early 80's he was Project Manager of the Southwest Corridor Project in Boston, a $750 million investment in railroad and rapid transit facilities, city streets, parkland and urban revitalization that received a Presidential Design Award and was named the Outstanding Engineering Achievement of 1988 by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Mr. Kruckemeyer is an Architect with degrees from Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a Loeb Fellow in Advanced Environmental Studies at Harvard University. kek@livablestreets.info

Steven Miller 
Executive Director / New England Healthy Weight Initiative, Harvard School of Public Health

Steve was the co-founder of Boston's Hub On Wheels Bike festival and was subsequently a Gubernatorial appointee on the state’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.  He was Board Chair of TechBoston Academy, a public pilot high school whose achievements were honored by a visit from President Barak Obama in 2010, and led Mass Networks’ NetDay Campaigns that mobilized over 20,000 volunteers across the state to help network schools for technology-facilitated education reform – leading to an invitation to present at President Clinton's 1999 National Education Summit.  Previously, working with state union leaders, he helped found the Massachusetts’ Coalition for Occupational Health & Safety, which just celebrated its 45th year.  He has also worked in high tech, helping with the start-up of Lotus Development Corporation then, after a fellowship at the Kennedy School of Government, becoming Director of Strategic Planning for the Commonwealth’s Office of Management Information Systems.  Steve has served on the national boards of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), the Consortium for School Networks (CoSN), and as chair of Grassroots International (GRI).  Miller has published four books on public policy, hosted a radio discussion show, and was the on-screen Science & Technology Commentator for a national cable network. He currently publishes a weekly blog titled, “The Public Way: Transportation, Health, and Livable Communities.” steve@livablestreets.info

Glen Berkowitz

Glen has over 25 years experience in traffic management and planning, construction management, and public outreach. His focus is on interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving, and likes to integrate aspects of public administration, the legal process, engineering and design, and community mitigation in his work. He has worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance and Executive Office of Transportation, Massachusetts Highway Department, the former Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. He helped manage Boston’s Central Artery/Tunnel Project where he oversaw efforts to maintain adequate motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian accommodations throughout the Big Dig’s 15-year construction period. Glen has changed his own commuting choices and now leaves his MINI Cooper parked at home whenever possible, and travels instead by foot, bicycle, transit, or his all-electric scooter. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME; a Master in Public Administration from the J.F.K School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA ; and a J.D. in Law from Suffolk University School of Law, Boston, MA. In 2005, Glen founded Beaufort Solutions, LLC, Boston, MA, a renewable energy and transportation consulting firm where he pursue appropriate wind and solar power and mobility projects in Massachusetts and New England. Glen continues to look for new opportunities and outcomes in energy efficiency and sustainability. glen@livablestreets.info

Scott Englander
Director / Charles River Associates

Scott Englander has more than 25 years experience advising clients in the energy industry. His focus is on the regulatory policy, economics, and operational aspects of renewable energy, electricity markets, and transmission. Scott has taught courses on electricity markets, has testified as an expert witness in a number of large cases both in the United States and internationally, and has facilitated large stakeholder processes. He has assisted clients as diverse as Horizon Wind Power, the government of El Salvador, and some of the largest electricity system operators in the world. Before joining consulting firm Charles River Associates in 2004, he was a vice president at Tabors Caramanis & Associates. Scott founded and was first Chairman of the Environmental Commission of Lambertville, New Jersey. His other car is a bicycle, on which he has been riding to work since 1994. Scott is proficient in Spanish and has an M.S.E. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University, and a B.A. in Energy Studies and Agriculture from The Evergreen State College. scott@livablestreets.info 

Ellie Botshon
Relocation Agent

Ellie Botshon is known as being one of the top real estate and relocation agents in the Cambridge/Somerville area.  She has a prior background in microfinance and community development in both the US and Latin America. Ellie holds an MBA from the UK, and a certificate in Urban and Environmental Planning from Tufts University. She is passionate about "Green Living" and consciously integrates this into her personal and professional life.   As an avid cyclist and scooter rider, Ellie joined LivableStreets in 2011 with an interest in advocating for streets that are user -friendly for everyone.

Paul Twitchell
Director of Communications/Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Paul is the communications director at Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), an international human rights and social justice organization. At UUSC, he oversees a department responsible for delivering a wide range of services for the agency, including print and electronic media, public relations, social-media outreach, marketing, and constituent engagement. Motivated by UUSC's vision for social justice, Twitchell brings over 20 years of marketing and communications experience in both nonprofit and for-profit environments. He has provided services for a variety of industries, including publishing, financial services, entertainment, high technology, retail, and professional services. Before joining UUSC, Twitchell served as vice president of marketing and communications at AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, New England's largest and oldest AIDS service organization. His earlier management positions include work with the Boston Phoenix, WFNX, the Screen House, and Tele-Publishing International. An avid cyclist, Paul has participated in numerous long distance charity bike rides and currently is a member of the board of directors for Harbor to the Bay, a 125 mile ride from Boston to Provincetown, benefitting local AIDS organizations. Previous to to current position, Paul participated in the organization and promotion for the Mass Red Ribbon Ride, a two day charity ride across Massachusetts. paul@livablestreets.info

Jane Hayes
Senior Financial Analyst/New England Conservatory
Co-Founder/Independent Fabrication
Among other passions, being a bike commuter and bike lifestyle promoter are some of Jane's favorites. Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville are great cities to explore from outside a car or tour bus, and there is always something new to be found or discovered when you take the time to breathe the air. Jane is one of the most excited bike commuters about the bike and pedestrian friendly improvements LivableStreets and our localities have enabled. Now that the Hubway bike share has landed and quickly expanded, these improvements will have to continue for that program to make an even bigger impact in coming years. Jane brings non-profit financial management experience, a process improvement focus, and unbridled enthusiasm to LivableStreets. Jane@livablestreets.info
 

Stephanie Pollack
Professor of Practice in Law, Policy and Society/Northeastern University

Stephanie is a Senior Research Associate at the Center for Urban and Regional Policy and an adjunct professor at Northeastern University School of Law. Until 2004, she was a senior attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), New England’s leading environmental advocacy organization where she worked for two decades on a range of environmental and urban issues including environmental health, smart growth and sustainable development, affordable housing, and transportation and transit policy and planning. In the late 1990s Pollack launched CLF’s Greater Boston Institute, which worked for responsible and community-sensitive review of proposed development projects and improved and expanded transit in metropolitan Boston. Pollack is also a consultant with BlueWave Strategies in Boston, a consulting firm which advises clients on smart growth, transit-oriented development, brownfields redevelopment and other “green” real estate projects. Today, Stephanie lives in Newton with her husband Kenneth Snow and her three children Hana, Yitzi and Beni. Stephanie@livablestreets.info

Co-Founders

Jeffrey L. Rosenblum, PE / Co-founder
Transportation Planner / City of Cambridge

See above.

Larry Slotnick / Co-founder

Principal, Central Bike Services

Larry is a principal of Taza Chocolate of Somerville, MA, a maker of artisan, organic, fair-trade chocolate, and Central Bike Services, a consulting firm that helps organizations streamline and upgrade their bicycle transportation programs with a focus on parking infrastructure. He was a founding employee of Zipcar in 2000 and left Zipcar as National Director of Fleet Operations in 2006. While there, he helped launch Zipcar's flagship Boston car-sharing operation as Fleet Manager. He also served as Director of Business Development and performed supporting roles in Sales and Customer Service. In 1999, Larry served as Executive Director of MassBike - the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition. Larry earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from Syracuse University and worked for companies such as Intel, Raytheon and Prime Computer in facilities design and manufacturing engineering. Larry specializes in small business development for not only his own organizations -- but other local ones as well -- trying to connect people and companies who might have strategic complimentarily. larry@livablestreets.info

Volunteers

Will Cook
Volunteer Friday Manager
February Spotlight Interview

Casey Uy
Street Ambassador
March Spotlight Interview

 Marcy Ostberg
Street Ambassador
April Spotlight Interview

Paul Sohn
Advocacy Comittee Member
May Spotlight Interview

Cleo Stoughton
Volunteer & Street Ambassador
June Spotlight Interview

Former Board Members

• Sarah Appleby, Archer & Appleby
• Larry Slotnik, Central Bike Services
• Wenzday Jane, Metro Pedal Power
• Aaron Desatnik, The Green Roundtable 
• Bhupesh Patel, Principal, DesignTANK
• Deb Levine, Levine Associates /Training & Development
• Phil Goff, Alta Planning & Design 
• Scott Mullen, Hubway
• Mark Chase, Nelson/Nygaard
• Chella Sudjir Rajan, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
• Holly (Bogle) Parker, Yale University
• Ona Ferguson, Concensus Building Institute
• William Reyelt, Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development
• Dorothy Fennell, A Better City 
• Zakcq Lockrem, Asakura Robinson
• Conrad Crawford, Department of Conservation and Recreation