ABBY MILLER
Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation
“For me, cities are the center of a thriving democracy, and my passion is supporting cities around the world. I love the work City Thread does to accelerate and advance mobility programs.”
With a background in program design, strategy formulation, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and innovation, Abby's journey is one marked by a belief that innovation and collaboration can transform systems and create meaningful benefits in people’s lives.
Abby is the Training and Learning Lead in the Innovation Practice at the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation (BCPI) at Johns Hopkins University. Before BCPI, she was chief strategy, innovation, and learning officer at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Abby’s career includes contributions to notable organizations like the Memphis Medical District Collaborative, Innovate Memphis, Habitat for Humanity International, and the Inter-American Development Bank. As a City Thread board member, Abby continues to support work with local governments and communities to deliver place-based infrastructure that improve the places where people live, work, and play.
YENDRA RUIZ TENCZA
Connections for Independent Living
“I am so proud to support City Thread’s work in rethinking mobility on a large scale using its unique AMP framework. This model has been successful in all types and sizes of communities.”
Yendra’s professional trajectory began as a naturalist. As her career evolved, she transitioned into nonprofit management, making meaningful contributions in finance, systems development, and human resources. Her educational background, including degrees in biology, statistics, and accounting, affirms her commitment to data-driven decision-making and holistic problem-solving.
During her role as director of operations at Great Work, Inc., a youth development nonprofit in Denver, Colorado, Yendra showcased her ability to optimize operations and create an environment conducive to growth and transformation.She then went on to become the director of operations for Sweet Grass Consulting, a consulting services company that focuses on impact, research, and strategy for nonprofit and for-profit organizations.She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Connections for Independent Living.
Yendra’s personal interests, including a love for outdoor activities, align with her advocacy for equitable systems and creating accessible spaces for all. Her support for public transportation further demonstrates her commitment to inclusive community development.
PATRICK HENDRICKS
World Business (Chicago)
“I got involved with City Thread because of their intentionality around authentic community engagement, and their excellence in forging partnerships between local residents, community-based organizations, and municipal leaders.”
Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Patrick has a deep understanding of the power of community and collaboration. His work with the City of Memphis Mayor’s Office, managing a substantial grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, highlights his ability to foster neighborhood economic development and reduce violence through public-private partnerships.
Patrick is the Vice President of Civic Engagement at World Business Chicago, the city's public-private economic development agency that drives growth, business expansion, and innovation across all industries in Chicago and the surrounding region. Previously, Patrick served as Director of Development at West Side United and held roles at both the Obama Foundation and the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Patrick also is a founding board member of Believe Memphis Academy, Memphis Music Initiative, and Just City Memphis. Currently, he’s also a dedicated member of the board of directors for Legal Prep Charter Academy, The Black Ensemble Theater, and, of course, City Thread.
DAN FARVE
World Business (Chicago)
"As an environmentalist and urbanist, I believe well-functioning, equitable cities are crucial to a healthy future for our planet and the people on it. From my firsthand experience working with them, City Thread's approach creates just that, cities that work well for everyone. It’s energizing to be a part of it."
As Director of Environmental Programs at the Greater New Orleans Foundation, Dan supports equitable climate change adaptation and mitigation, and healthy ecosystems. He also works throughout the region to reduce flooding with innovative green infrastructure, to bolster community engagement in coastal restoration and protection, and to expand the Foundation’s work on creating equitable and sustainable transportation options.
Previously, Dan served as executive director of Bike Easy. He also was a campaign organizer and communications director at Healthy Gulf, an environmental advocacy organization focused on clean water, coastal restoration, healthy fisheries, and climate justice.
When not on the move throughout New Orleans, Dan enjoys the food and nightlife of New Orleans, along with adventure travels like whitewater rafting, scuba diving and cultural exploring.
JEFF PEEL
WSP
“Building the transportation systems and communities we want doesn’t have to be an academic, theoretical exercise or limited to European study trips. The team at City Thread builds on real-world examples right here and right now, providing a Playbook that is adaptable to any community. Community leaders looking for a place to start can save decades of hard lessons learned and skip straight to success by partnering with City Thread.”
Jeff is Vice President of Transportation Planning for the Mid-Atlantic region at WSP, a global engineering and professional services firm. Jeff is a transportation leader with 20 years of experience advancing safe, connected, and equitable mobility solutions. His career spans the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, with expertise in active transportation, bus rapid transit, and innovative program delivery. Jeff has led high-impact initiatives at USDOT, NYCDOT, and the League of American Bicyclists. His work integrates data-driven planning, policy development, and community-focused design to deliver practical, scalable solutions.
When not helping public sector clients deliver safe and equitable transportation solutions, Jeff can be found reading with his two young kids, playing tennis, or proving that skateboarding into your late 40s is possible, even if ill-advised.
KAITLIN MCCREADY
Communio Strategies
“I’ve learned that you can’t make meaningful change without trust and social capital, whether it’s rebuilding public confidence in a transit project or strengthening neighborhoods. City Thread understands this deeply. Its work is helping cities function better now while also building up that social infrastructure so that impact can scale and stick.”
Kaitlin McCready is Principal and Founder of Communio Strategies, a communications strategy firm that helps organizations close the gap between them and what their stakeholders believe and act on. With expertise in brand positioning, change management, crisis communications, and community engagement, Kaitlin’s work has spanned Fortune 100 companies, public transportation, engineering firms, and technology startups.
Kaitlin first learned the value of trust and social capital while leading the communications strategy for a post-Superstorm Sandy project at the MTA New York City Transit, where she aligned government, community, and business to accelerate delivery and rebuild public trust. She also applied that approach while at the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, where she advanced national EV charging infrastructure and technology.
A certified change management practitioner, Kaitlin also works to build social capital in her hometown, where she is a neighborhood block leader and educator, and advisor for the city’s belonging initiative.