America Walks is honored to announce the 2023 Nationwide Strolling School fellowship class. In its eighth yr, the Strolling School welcomes 26 spectacular candidates from 16 states and the District of Columbia. This yr’s class attracts from one of many widest breadths {of professional} and private expertise up to now. It contains academics, planners, survivors of site visitors violence, local weather advocates, elected officers, and even a former faculty bus driver.

Images and brief profiles of our esteemed fellows might be discovered beneath. 

Steven Hardy-Braz
Farmville, North Carolina

I’m a nationally licensed faculty psychologist and accessibility advocate/activist. I’ve labored in a terrific number of residential, day, public/non-public, and navy faculties each within the US and internationally. I’m an writer, researcher, coach, presenter, and practitioner in school-based psychological providers. I’m additionally an energetic bicycle owner, social justice advocate, signal language interpreter, and Aikido practitioner. Struck by a motorized vehicle from behind whereas biking, I’m a disabled street violence survivor who advocates for all sidewalks, crosswalks, transit stops, and varied places to be in compliance with the federal civil rights legislation, the Individuals with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Keisha Blanchard
St. Louis, Missouri

I’m a member of the Dutchtown South Group Company and the Group Empowerment Committee. Being part of these organizations, I’ve began a strolling membership referred to as Southside Strutters. The purpose of this membership is to securely stroll the streets within the neighborhoods and develop significant relationships with neighbors. I’m excited to be part of the Nationwide Strolling School in order that I shall be uncovered to information, and assets, and learn to inform the story of my group with delight. With the executive, time administration, and organizational abilities I’ve and with the brand new information gotten from this system, I do know we are able to create magic.

Lauren Adkins
Sizzling Springs, Arkansas

I’ve served because the long-range/historic preservation planner for the Metropolis of Sizzling Springs since October 2022. I help the Historic District Fee in managing two locally-designated historic districts and work to implement the HS2040: Ahead Sizzling Springs plan. I beforehand labored for the District of Columbia authorities because the neighborhood revitalization supervisor and for the Nationwide Belief for Historic Preservation’s Major Avenue Heart. Born and raised in Sizzling Springs, I’m thrilled to be serving to to protect her hometown’s distinctive historical past as the biggest unlawful playing operation within the historical past of the US.

Kimberly Mosley
Asheville, North Carolina

I work as a public well being affiliate on the North Carolina Heart for Well being and Wellness at UNC Asheville. My work at NCCHW contains offering help on the CDC Arthritis grant and selling strolling throughout North Carolina by way of evidence-based well being applications for getting older adults. In 2021, I graduated with a Grasp of Public Well being from Florida State College. I take pleasure in strolling and enjoying basketball. I’m keen about public well being and serving to others. Moreover, I sit up for creating abilities to create and help extra walkable communities in North Carolina.

Sarah Risser
Portland, Oregon

I started advocating for secure roads after dropping my son in a vehicular crash and have come to consider that the simplest solution to deal with each our street security and local weather crises is to scale back the variety of non-public autos on the street by creating strong, secure and viable alternate and energetic transportation networks. I, who not too long ago relocated from St. Paul, Minnesota, am notably involved concerning the lack of sidewalks in southwest Portland and hope to deal with this drawback in a significant method.

Jodi Winship, PhD, OTR/L
Richmond, Virginia

I’m the founder and govt director of Richmond Getting old and Partaking and assistant professor with the Virginia Heart on Getting old at Virginia Commonwealth College. As an occupational therapist, I consider that participating in significant occupation – these issues that we have to do (like getting dressed and taking our medicines), and people issues that we need to do (like strolling to the park with the grandkids) – is important for our well being and wellbeing. As such, my work focuses on decreasing disparities in occupational engagement and supporting aging-in-place amongst low-income older adults in Richmond, Virginia.

Christopher Vaughan
Minneapolis, Minnesota

I’m a dad, instructor, poet, and sustainable transportation advocate. My younger household and I get round by strolling, biking, public transportation, and car-share. I maintain levels in ethnic research, Spanish, and training coverage.

Naqiy Mcmullen
Albany, New York

I’m a passionate pedestrian, avid bicycle owner, and devoted transit rider in Albany, New York, the place I’m a board member of Walkable Albany and Albany Bike Coalition. I’m a former resident of Orlando who relied solely on biking, strolling, and transit for over a decade, which revealed the inequitable and dangerous facets of un-walkable car-dependent cities. I used to be motivated to develop into an advocate for secure streets and multimodal transportation programs from having misplaced a number of relations to site visitors violence and witnessing the carnage on Orlando streets, which is repeatedly ranked probably the most harmful metropolis for cyclists and pedestrians.

Bernie McDonald
Viroqua, Wisconsin

I’m a self-made walkability and public transportation skilled from Columbia, Missouri. I earned my stripes during the last 9 years endeavoring to stroll 100 miles in all 50 states with out the usage of a automotive. After infinite journey, I’ve now settled with my spouse within the charming Driftless Space of Wisconsin. I at present am at work on a e-book on my adventures round the US. I educate yoga, am an beginner photographer, and have lastly held nonetheless lengthy sufficient to undertake a canine.

Dexter Useful, LT COLONEL, USAF retired
Houston, Texas

I retired from the Air Power in 2004 and began volunteering for energetic transportation-related initiatives in Houston. I’ve served as chair of the Higher Houston Coalition for Full Streets and the Residents’ Transportation Coalition. I took the lead on the transportation part of AARP’s Age-Pleasant/Habitable Group motion plan for the Metropolis of Houston, and I’m a member of the mayor’s Imaginative and prescient Zero Government Committee, amongst different initiatives serving to to facilitate improved situations for all in his metropolis. I’m married to Dr. Beverly Useful, M.D., a chemistry pathologist and professor on the M.D. Anderson Most cancers Heart. My spouse and I are avid marathon runners.

Kim Irby
Princeton, New Jersey

I’m an early profession skilled targeted on local weather change mitigation and adaptation, with analysis and advocacy expertise associated to the intersection of land use planning and the atmosphere. Initially from Los Angeles, I’ve lived in Princeton, NJ for the previous 5 years and shall be shifting to Washington, D.C. in June 2023. In my most up-to-date function, I labored on selling automobile miles traveled (VMT) discount in New Jersey as a obligatory complement to automobile electrification. In 2018, I acquired my M.S. from the Faculty for Atmosphere and Sustainability on the College of Michigan with a deal with Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Programs.

Meera Kumar
Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey

I’m a Program Supervisor at Newlab, the place I assist pilot revolutionary options in coordination with NYC DOT and rising start-ups to deal with transportation crises in New York Metropolis. Previous to Newlab, I labored on the NJEDA, the New Jersey Financial Growth Authority, and the Federal Reserve Board. I studied city planning as a Masters’s scholar on the London Faculty of Economics and am a Fulbright Scholar. I dwell in Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey with my associate and revel in volunteering at my group backyard, salsa dancing, and studying modern fiction.

Laura Groenjes Mitchell
Minneapolis, Minnesota

I (she/they) am a former instructor and lifelong learner, dwelling in Minneapolis with my spouse and two younger children. Strolling and biking with my children day-after-day has supercharged my perception that we have to put extra work into guaranteeing our infrastructure helps the wants of individuals touring exterior autos. Professionally, I work for an training non-profit, designing and facilitating studying experiences and communities of observe.

Peggy Hartman
Chesapeake Seaside, Maryland

After a profession in laptop programming, undertaking administration, inner audit, and course of enchancment masking NY, UK, Switzerland, and NJ, my husband and I retired to MD. Right here I began my second ‘profession’ in volunteer work because the treasurer for an area wildlife sanctuary, member of our HOA board, and city councilwoman. In town council, I co-chair our walkable advisory committee – we’ve got numerous initiatives on our wishlist and I’m hoping what I study within the Nationwide Strolling School will assist transfer extra of these ahead. I like out of doors actions, particularly strolling in my neighborhood and long-distance bicycle rides. I consider the simpler it’s for folks to have entry to the outside, the extra they’ll be capable of get out and revel in it too.

Carrie Robersone
Portland, Oregon

I’m at present a group well being specialist with the REACH program specializing in Black and African communities. On this capability, I assist to plan and implement efforts to remove persistent illnesses by way of referrals to present group well being assets. She will even help the REACH Wholesome Coronary heart Ambassador program, lead lessons within the Nationwide Diabetes Prevention Program, and interact in different alternatives to advertise well being and wellness. She is a group well being educator and advocate who conducts outreach associated to persistent illness prevention and well being training to drive higher well being outcomes in beforehand underserved communities.

Patti Pittman
Carrollton, Georgia

I’m the West Georgia Sr. Outreach and Engineering Coordinator for the Georgia Division of Transportation’s Secure Routes to Faculty (SRTS) Useful resource Heart. I present hole evaluation and curriculum improvement for Polk County Florida’s SRTS program and help GA Street Security Audit facilitation and reporting in addition to SRTS analysis for PA Commuter Companies. I’m main the event of the SRTS highschool program for Georgia.

I facilitate, help, and coordinate actions and training occasions for 170 associate faculties within the 50-county area of West Georgia. To this point, I’ve deliberate and facilitated 35+ infrastructure evaluation research (Street Security Audits, Stroll Audits, and Security Observations) with regional consultants and advocates for scholar security. I educate college students, the group, and faculty employees on security and finest practices in strolling and biking to high school. I’ve 30 years of expertise in undertaking and product administration, improvement and implementation of training and coaching for all ages, program improvement and implementation, group advertising, public talking, and outreach. I’m an avid learner, have accomplished Penn State’s skilled GIS Certification, is an authorized Montessori teacher, and am having fun with my seventh yr with GA SRTS. I not too long ago turned a League Biking Teacher (LCI) with the League of American Bicyclists. I take pleasure in dwelling within the stroll and bikeable group of Carrollton, GA, and steadily volunteer in the neighborhood and at my alma mater the College of West Georgia the place I earned my Bachelor’s diploma in Enterprise Advertising. Go Wolves!

Greg Hindy
Minneapolis, Minnesota

I, together with my associate and two canine, dwell in Minneapolis and work as an organizer with the transportation advocacy nonprofit, Our Streets. Raised in a suburb with a near-zero stroll rating, his ardour for walkability didn’t start till a cross-country stroll after school, wherein I immediately skilled the ways in which the constructed atmosphere has marginalized strolling in American life. With a background in cognitive science, rhetoric, and artistic writing, together with a love of listening and debate, and a perception within the energy of incremental change, I hope to see optimistic modifications in my very own neighborhood.

Trish Farnham
Leland, North Carolina

I got here to pedestrian advocacy by means of healthcare coverage. Due to my lifelong profession in long-term care providers, I immediately recognize how a group’s constructed atmosphere impacts its accessibility and well being outcomes. Whereas taking an expert detour to work at BikeWalk NC, I used to be launched to America Walks. After listening to Mike McGinn throughout a presentation, I knew I needed to use to the Strolling School, and am thrilled to have been chosen. I’m inquisitive about analyzing how native land use coverage impacts the pedestrian expertise and can work to make a not too long ago developed space close to my dwelling extra pedestrian pleasant.

Kurt Canfield
Lengthy Seaside, California

I first bought concerned in city and transportation planning by enjoying Cities: Skylines earlier than I turned radicalized by watching urbanist Youtube and listening to podcasts on parking. A toddler of the American suburbs, walkable locations had been one thing he solely ever skilled at theme parks and inside buying malls I drove completely in all places. However now, many Youtube movies, chatrooms, and memes later, I discovered a group in my native chapter of the Dawn Motion and arranged group bike rides for Bike LB. I turned an everyday voice at metropolis council, planning fee, and LB Transit Board conferences, and have made transportation advocacy a part of my life-style. I’m preventing for full streets initiatives throughout Lengthy Seaside and all through Southern California. I work for the California State Water Undertaking as a corrosion engineer.

Andie Johnson
Kansas Metropolis, Missouri

I’m a software program engineer in larger Kansas Metropolis, MO. I used to be impressed to become involved in bike and pedestrian advocacy after realizing that the 1.5-mile route from my dwelling to an area path was too harmful and high-speed to bike. Since then, I’ve volunteered with native bike and pedestrian advocacy teams and have become a Parks and Rec commissioner in my city, recognizing that change begins with common folks taking part in native decision-making. I passionately consider within the energy of higher infrastructure to make communities extra wholesome, vibrant, and secure.

Beth Warren
Marietta, Georgia

I’m a spouse and mom who lives in metro Atlanta, Georgia. I earned a bachelor’s diploma in Elementary Schooling from Boston College and a grasp’s diploma in Center Grades Schooling from Georgia State College. I taught within the Atlanta Public Faculty system for 12 years. As a member of the Sturdy Cities group, I developed a ardour for selling energetic mobility in my suburban group. When not busy managing the comings and goings of three busy teenagers, I take pleasure in mountaineering, biking, swimming, and – after all – strolling.

Ashton Rohmer
Washington, D.C.

I’m a second-year PhD scholar on the Carter Faculty for Peace and Battle Decision at George Mason College the place I’m learning transportation as a web site of city battle, violence, and peacebuilding. When I’m not making ready for my complete examination, I’m serving as a volunteer, part-time, hyper-local elected official advocating for safer streets (amongst different issues). Earlier than pursuing my PhD, I spent practically 4 years consulting for FEMA on the design and implementation of nationwide coverage and programming to extend group local weather resilience. I’m an city planner by coaching and have efficiently mastered the artwork of studying whereas strolling.

Dara Brown
Cayce, South Carolina

I acquired an MPH from the College of South Carolina in 2001. I’m an authorized health skilled, yoga teacher, and Way of life Coach. At present, I’m the Senior Group Well being Coordinator for Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Heart Diabetes Intervention Program. I chair the Lively & Accessible Group Transit (AACT) Coalition which is devoted to creating my county’s communities extra stroll and bike pleasant. As a 20-year resident of Cayce, I function a Neighborhood Chief and on the Municipal Elections Fee. I sit up for serving to make Cayce and surrounding communities extra accessible to everybody.

Nazanin Heydarian
Edinburgh, Texas

I’m a social well being psychologist who examines disparities in persistent illness self-management and outcomes skilled by folks with disabilities. I’m an assistant professor on the College of Texas Rio Grande Valley the place I conduct analysis initiatives selling diabetes self-management amongst blind and low-vision folks, wholesome diet and train amongst Latinx households with kids with mental and developmental disabilities (IDDs), pre-and perinatal well being of pregnant folks with IDD, and clinician incapacity competence. Moreover, I take pleasure in parenting a toddler, power coaching, and curler skating.

Bob Wagner
Villa Park, Illinois

I used to be born within the metropolis of Chicago and spent most of my early life rising up on the west and northwest facet of the town. The neighborhoods that I grew up in had been characterised by the presence of small neighborhood grocery shops, shut hyperlinks to bus routes, and shut proximity to elevated commuter rail strains. Different vital locations like parks, church buildings, faculties, and library branches had been additionally shut and reachable by strolling or bicycling. I now dwell within the outer ring of west suburban Chicago. I need to be an advocate for serving to develop my group as a extra cohesive walkable place.

I’m married with 3 grown kids. I’m energetic in native civic, political, and spiritual establishments. I’m a graduate of DePaul College. I spent 32 years working for Bridgestone – Firestone (now Bridgestone North America) and completed my profession there working within the Actual Property Division. I’m at present serving on the Villa Park Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Transit Subcommittee.

Allison Carr
Raleigh, North Carolina

I’m an environmental skilled working as a Clear Power Coaching Program Supervisor. I work to coach, talk, and produce folks collectively to help the expansion of fresh vitality and clear transportation choices. With levels in Environmental Science from the College of North Carolina and a Grasp of Environmental Administration (MEM) from the Nicholas Faculty of the Atmosphere at Duke College, I’ve labored for varied authorities organizations on the intersection of local weather change and clear vitality. I’m a local weather optimist and a lover of studying. When I’m not working, I’m normally in movement and like strolling on greenways, dancing west coast swing, and mountaineering on native trails on the weekends.