ZOE KIRCOS
I’m Zoe, nice to meet you.
I bring more than 20 years of philanthropy, development, project administration, and grant management expertise to all of my work with City Thread. Building thoughtful collaborations and centering the needs and vision of project partners has been an essential part of my approach since entering the non-profit field. Previous projects have included integrating equity into shared micromobility, and sharing the stories of people doing innovative and powerful social and transportation justice work in their communities. I have certifications in mediation, facilitation, and non-adversarial communication, skills that help me navigate our work with humor and compassion.
SARA STUDDARD
Cheers, I’m Sara.
I am a community engagement and communications professional with a 15-year track record of working with people and systems to use their resources for growth and good. My approach lies in crafting strategies that center coalition building and drive positive change.
Through collaborative partnerships, I have successfully launched award-winning campaigns and managed initiatives focused on mobility, system change, and place. My instinct to listen first and ask questions later has been instrumental in securing resources and achieving measurable outcomes. True or false? I led the first crowdfunding infrastructure campaign since the Statue of Liberty in 1885.
KYLE WAGENSCHUTZ
Welcome! I’m Kyle.
I proudly wear the banner of changemaker. In fact, I was honored (and humbled) to be recognized as a White House Champion of Change under President Obama for my work leading Memphis’ first active transportation master plan. The program secured funding to construct more than 200 miles of new dedicated bike lanes.
After more than 15 years as an urban planning and community organizing professional, I prioritize strong partnerships to accelerate project delivery. Additionally, having worked for local municipal governments and nonprofit advocacy organizations at all levels, I’ve gained tremendous insight into how both the private and public sectors operate.
GRACE YUNG FOSTER, MBA
I have led in the corporate and nonprofit sectors for more than 16 years, raising critical funds to deploy programs for under-resourced communities. I believe that equity and inclusion should be a baseline standard and accessible to all, not just the privileged.
Building sustaining relationships and transformative partnerships in alignment with those values is what drives me as a fundraising leader, and I have raised tens of millions of dollars across the healthcare, housing insecurity and homelessness, education, democracy, mental health, and tech sectors.
My MBA from NYU and experience in corporate business development have deepened my understanding of the public, private, and government sectors, as well as the role of joint ventures in driving lasting sustainability and social change.
ESTEVAN FERNANDEZ
I am a marketing leader with more than a decade of experience guiding brand strategy, audience growth, and data-driven engagement in support of mission-driven initiatives. I’ve led integrated campaigns for local and national brands, strengthening trust, fostering adoption, and supporting sustainable growth.
During my time in shared micro-mobility, I helped solidify Philadelphia's position as a national leader in transit equity by directing initiatives that expanded opportunities for underserved communities, doubled program utilization, and established industry best practices.
From media planning to lifecycle marketing, my approach is rooted in collaboration and clarity. Beyond the boardroom, I’m guided by a personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – expanding awareness, access, and opportunity for communities that face the greatest barriers.
MORGAN LOMMELE
I’m a mediator and facilitator with 20 years of experience bringing together people with different perspectives to solve public policy challenges. I genuinely love working with communities to move through conflict toward a shared way forward and designing public processes that foster listening, moving past positions to understand interests, and negotiating in good faith to implement community projects.
I’ve led complex, multi-stakeholder collaboratives for local, state, and federal partners across all 50 states (with a story to tell for each!). I’ve witnessed the power of bringing people together, even when they don’t agree on everything, to improve the places we live.