Keynote Speaker
Karina Ricks is a Partner at Cityfi. For more than 20 years, Karina has led change in both government agencies and private companies. She is driven by the belief that we can achieve a more just society, healthier planet and safe streets but only if we challenge norms, boldly try new ideas and listen carefully to the lived experience of those we are trying to aid. She has put these beliefs into action as Associate Administrator at the Federal Transit Administration, Director of Mobility and Infrastructure for the City of Pittsburgh, and Director of Transportation Policy and Planning for Washington, DC.
Now as a Partner at CityFi, Karina leads transportation technology and mobility innovation work including championing programs to address transportation insecurity, transition to zero emission vehicles and modes, and optimize the safety and (human-centered) operation of public streets and transit systems. As Chief Innovation Officer for the Federal Transit Administration, she funded and oversaw pilots and demonstrations of new platforms, payment technologies and “last mile” services to extend the reach and utility of transit. As a city transportation director, she launched what was lauded as the nation’s first Mobility as a Service initiative, introduced an ambitious safe and complete streets program, implemented advanced traffic management systems, and rapidly reinvented public streets in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. In Washington, DC, she led planning and policy for a range of early-adoption mobility innovations including the country’s first large-scale bikeshare system, public curbside carshare and curbside electric vehicle charging. Fundamental to Karina’s success has been open communication, creativity and collaboration. She focuses on the common problems that need to be solved and a clear definition of the desired outcomes of change.
Karina is a Fulbright Scholar, holds a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University and a pre-law degree from the James Madison College of Michigan State University.
