Each month we choose a member of YPT-NYC to interview and spotlight in our newsletter!
Keep scrolling to preview all of our Member Profiles. Or see here for a complete list!
If you have a suggestion for a Member Profile, we would love to hear it! Just fill out the form below with your name, your email, and the name of the YPT-NYC member you would like to nominate!
December Member Profile: Gal Kramer
Gal Kramer // Transit Planning Principal, Via (and outgoing chair of YPT-NYC) I’m a transit planner on the Via Strategies consulting team at Via, where I partner with public agencies to design and implement demand-response and multimodal transit services. Over the past five years, I’ve focused on helping small cities and rural communities improve mobility…
October Member Profile: Felix Stetsenko
Felix Stetsenko // Senior Consultant at WSP USA Felix is a Senior Consultant with WSP Advisory Services’ Business Transformation national practice area. Felix works with local governments, transit agencies, and railroads to help them do more – operate faster and more reliable transit systems, deliver transformation investments quicker and at lower cost, reduce energy costs…
September Member Profile: Madeline Mack
Madeline Mack // Graduate Engineer at Network Rail I’m a Graduate Engineer working in passenger rail, currently supporting infrastructure and systems projects for major transit clients such as PATH and the California High Speed Rail Authority. I have a degree in Industrial and Systems engineering from Auburn University and have worked for Network Rail Consulting…
August Member Profile: Eric Focaraccio
Eric Focaraccio // Facility Design Specialist, Transit & Rail Architecture at WSP Eric has a Master’s degree in Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. Since graduation, he has worked at WSP for 7 years initially as an Architectural Consultant on the NYC Transportation Facilities Group and…
July Member Profile: James Cretella
James Cretella // Senior Transportation Engineer, Arup I’m a Senior Transportation Engineer at Arup, working for my esteemed colleague and former YPT Chair Kristy Tu! I specialize in traffic modeling and simulation, with a big focus on airport landside planning. Over the past eight years, I’ve modeled roadways at every major NY airport including LGA…
June Member Profile: Nida Khan
Nida Khan // Transportation Planner I’m an architect/planner from India. I love spicy food and I love to complain and I talk a lot. I am an introvert though so I’ll only talk to you after I’ve practiced it in my head. It’s okay to complain and whine about things when you don’t like something…
May Member Profile: Evan Morris
Evan Morris // Data Scientist, MTA Evan is a data scientist at the MTA, working primarily on congestion pricing. He pivoted to transportation data science after a PhD in astrophysics, where he worked on projects related to telescope instrumentation and infrastructure. Now, he works to build out the core data infrastructure for the MTA as…
April Member Profile: Jerom Theunissen
Jerom Theunissen, PE // Transportation Engineer, Executive Advisor, Global Transportation at Jacobs I’m a Dutch-American transportation engineer, innovation strategist, and executive advisor based in NYC. I work at Jacobs, where I support global transportation growth strategy and help teams design creative, human-centered mobility solutions. My passion lies at the intersection of engineering, urbanism, and public…
March Member Profile: Sunny Ng
Sunny Ng \ Senior Software Engineer at MTA, Digital Services Sunny Ng is a senior software engineer at the MTA’s digital services team. Prior to joining the team late last year, he has worked in the tech industry for over 10 years across startups and corporations of different sizes, doing full-stack web development. He has…
February Member Profile: Paula Bejarano
Paula Bejarano \\ SVP Business Development & Sales at Benteler Mobility Paula has over 7 years of experience in electrification and autonomous technology. She’s worked at startups and incumbent companies bringing to market new technologies that impact transportation and society. She’s also authored “Autonomousity: Autonomous Vehicles & Emerging Business Models”. She has a master in…
January Member Profile: Madi Salter
Madi Salter \\ Smart Curbs Coordinator at The New York City Department of Transportation Madi is a Transportation Planner currently working for the NYCDOT on the Smart Curbs program. Originally from New Zealand, Madi has a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Geography and a Masters of Public Policy from The University of Auckland. Prior…
December Member Profile: Logan Wagner
Logan Wagner \\ Rail Engineer at Arup & Outgoing YPT-NYC Chair Logan Wagner is a Rail Engineer at Arup, where he enjoys working on projects related to rail planning and program modeling. He has experience working with traffic simulations, bus operations, and roadway design. Prior to joining Arup, he worked at GPI on the Simulation…
November Member Profile: Griffin Ong
Griffin Ong \\ WSP Consultant Griffin Ong was born and raised in San Francisco and has spent time living in Los Angeles, Chicago, and now New York. He’s worked in education, healthcare, public policy, and now transportation. He’s (clearly) a fan of all things urban, but beyond this, also enjoys cooking, music, and photography! Why…
October Member Profile: Michael Levin
Michael Levin \\ Mobility Specialist at Arcadis Michael Levin is a Mobility Specialist at Arcadis, working on technology and data projects for bus and rail systems. He has over eight years of experience in public transportation. Prior to Arcadis, Michael worked at MTA – New York City Transit in operations planning and budgets. Michael holds…
September Member Profile: Yatharth Saxena
Yatharth Saxena \\ Transportation Planner at Jacobs Yatharth Saxena is a passionate urbanist with over three years of experience in the public, non-profit, and private sectors working on various transportation planning projects. As a transportation planner for Jacobs, Yatharth works on all things transportation – from statewide corridor planning to spatial analysis using GIS. Before…
August Member Profile: Brian Peck
Brian Peck \\ Transportation Planner at Jacobs Brian Peck is a transportation planner by trade working for Jacobs. He spends most of his time in commercial coordination and program management, with some additional time dedicated to Federal infrastructure funding and transportation planning. Why transportation? Transportation is one of the most important resources for any community.…
July Member Profile: Jared Aisenberg
Jared Aisenberg \\ Service Changes Planner at MTA My name is Jared Aisenberg, and I am a Service Changes Planner at MTA New York City Transit. I have a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and a master’s in city & regional planning from Rutgers University. I’ve worked in both private parking consulting and in the…
June Member Profile: Chantel Cabrera
Chantel Cabrera \\ Senior Director of Subways Coordination & Solutions at NYCT Chantel Cabrera serves as Senior Director of Subways Coordination & Solutions in the office of the Senior Vice President of NYCT, Department of Subways. In her role, she manages a portfolio including wide aisle gate implementation, track intrusion and fare evasion mitigation and…
November Monthly Member Profile
Kristy Tu \\ Senior Transportation Engineer & Outgoing YPT-NYC Chair! I’m a Senior Engineer at Arup, where I work on all projects re: transportation planning – spanning across data analysis, traffic engineering, transit planning and aviation. I’m currently the outgoing Chair of YPT-NYC and a fan of all things transport-related! What’s your favorite YPT memory?How can I choose just one?! I…
October Monthly Member Profile
Sara Appleton \\ Assistant Director, Capital Project Delivery, Amtrak Sara is a transportation and economic development strategist who has worked across the public and private sectors. Sara currently works at Amtrak, where she is leading major station capital improvement projects in New York and New Jersey. She previously advised public transit agencies and other government leaders on strategic, financial, and…
September Monthly Member Profile
Anne Krassner \\ Sr. Program Manager for Mobility Management at NYC DOT Anne is an urban planner who specializes in community-based planning and mobility justice. She’s been a community organizer in NYC for 10 years, and is currently at the NYC DOT working to improve mobility for people with disabilities, low income New Yorkers, and other underserved populations. Outside of work, Anne expresses…
Monthly Member Profile Sara Appleton Young Professionals in Transportation – New York City (YPT-NYC) is the local chapter of Young Professionals in Transportation International, a nonprofit coalition of organizations, which helps professional development, fellowship, and networking for young professionals in the transportation field. YPT-NYC’s members keep the Greater New York City region moving while providing…
Monthly Member Profile Anne Krassner Young Professionals in Transportation – New York City (YPT-NYC) is the local chapter of Young Professionals in Transportation International, a nonprofit coalition of organizations, which helps professional development, fellowship, and networking for young professionals in the transportation field. YPT-NYC’s members keep the Greater New York City region moving while providing…
May Member Profile: Yanisa Techagumthorn
Senior Associate at Nelson\Nygaard Yanisa Techagumthorn is a transportation planner dedicated to improving public transit, which she sees as a great way to increase the wellbeing of communities and the environment. She is a Senior Associate at Nelson\Nygaard, where she focuses on bus service planning, transit master plans, and equity in transportation. She works with…
April Member Profile: Matthew Kalish
Transportation Planner at VHB Matthew Kalish is a transit and rail planner at VHB with a passion for creating more livable cities and towns, and working on improving public transportation and promoting active mobility to help make that possible. Throughout his time at VHB, Matthew has worked on a variety of transit projects in the…
March Member Profile: Alexandra Matri Aiello
Senior Manager of Planning, MTA Construction and Development Alexandra Aiello is a Senior Manager of Planning at MTA Construction and Development. Prior to joining C&D in 2022, she was at MTA Bridges and Tunnels where she worked on the Central Business District Tolling Program and the Cashless Tolling Transition. Previously, she was a GIS Analyst…
January Member Profile: Phil Betheil
Deputy Director, Bus Priority at NYCDOT Philip Betheil is a transit enthusiast and planner who loves working to improve bus service for all New Yorkers as Deputy Director for Bus Priority at NYCDOT. 1. What is your favorite YPT-NYC memory? It’s too hard to choose one, but it’d have to be from the wonderful tours…
November Member Profile: Kemal Gefar
Name: Kemal GefarEmployer: Mitsubishi ElectricTitle: Systems Engineer Bio: Kemal is a transportation professional with over 10 years of experience in engineering and infrastructure projects, 8 of which are focused on train control systems for metro and commuter rail systems with progressively responsible roles at transportation agencies, an engineering consultancy, and a multinational supplier. He currently works…
Member Profile: Jimmy Wang
KPMG, Infrastructure and Projects Advisory “I’m a consultant with KPMG’s Infrastructure and Projects Advisory practice in New York. Our group specializes in providing financial and strategic advisory services to public and private sector clients involved in infrastructure or major construction projects. We work directly with public agencies and corporate clients at the management level to…
Member Profile: Raymond Tam, PE
Transportation Engineer at Greenman-Pedersen Inc Raymond Tam is a transportation engineer and avid urbanist. He has worked on Transit Signal Priority, ADA pedestrian ramps, and asset management for the Empire State Trail. He is passionate about transit-oriented design and complete streets. He enjoys exploring historical sites of NYC and is planning on touring Gracie Mansion…
Member Profile: Daniel Feintuck
Discovery Attorney, Litigation Analyst and Bar Committee Member 1. What is your favorite YPT-NYC memory? My first Transportation Camp. The exchange of ideas, and refreshing format, really gave me a different taste of things than what I get in the legal community. 2. If you could snap your fingers and make one change to regional transportation,…
Member Profile: Sophie Maerowitz
Sophie Maerowitz (she/her) Project Manager, Bicycles Unit, NYC Department of Transportation For the better half of a decade, Sophie Maerowitz has advocated for better cycling, pedestrian, and bus infrastructure in New York City, having served on Transportation Alternatives’ Manhattan Activist Committee and on Manhattan Community Board 3’s Transportation Committee as a public member. Notable advocacy milestones…
Member Profile: Priyanshu Sharma
Priyanshu Sharma Urban Planner & Designer at Equitable Cities Priyanshu is an urban planner and designer at Equitable Cities who specializes in transportation planning, design, data analysis, and visualization. He holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, as well as a bachelor’s…
Member Profile: Eric Rago
Eric Rago Director, Location Partnerships & Strategy at Getaround “I currently work for Getaround, a leading car-sharing company that operates in over 950 cities worldwide. I lead our public partnerships, private partnerships, strategy, and operations teams. These teams are focused on creating partnerships to grow carshare from a single hotel to entire cities. Prior to…
Member Profile: Axel Hellman
Axel Hellman Co-Founder and Special Vice President of Lines at Rally OurBus A co-founder and I started OurBus, one of the leading brands for intercity bus service in the Northeast. We are a tech and marketing platform and do not actually own any buses—they are contracted out. We recently merged with Rally, another tech platform…
Member Profile: Lauren Rushing
Lauren RushingLauren Rushing Consulting, LLCMobility Planner and and Cycling Advocate Twitter: @CycleRush Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.rushing.16 Instagram: @laurenrushing LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-rushing-832a47102/ Lauren Rushing is a former YPT-NYC board member and an independent mobility planning consultant and cycling advocate. Lauren works with clients to develop strategic mobility plans for local governments, with a focus on creating complete and integrated…
YPT-NYC 