Jeanie Ward-Waller Archives

Leading Transportation Expert and Advocate Jeanie Ward-Waller Joins Fearless Advocacy

Contacts:

SACRAMENTO – Fearless Advocacy, a Sacramento-based consulting firm specializing in advancing the policy agendas of mission-based and cause-oriented organizations, is pleased to announce that Jeanie Ward-Waller starts today as the firm’s first Director of Transportation Advocacy. Ward-Waller comes to Fearless Advocacy with nearly two decades of experience as a licensed professional engineer, advocate, and government executive. A former deputy director for planning and modal programs at Caltrans, Jeanie has been a vocal leader in advancing equitable and sustainable transportation in California from both inside and outside of government.

“It’s a time of critical change in transportation, and bold leadership is needed to tackle the challenge of reimagining our car-dependent system. I couldn’t be more excited to join the highly influential Fearless Advocacy team and strengthen transportation advocacy in support of clients committed to this mission. I’m particularly honored to launch this work in partnership with CalBike, TransForm, and ClimatePlan, organizations that I know well and deeply respect, and invite anyone interested in collaborating to reach out,” said Ward-Waller.

In her new role, Jeanie today launches a lobbying and consulting practice focused on advancing transportation public policy and investment objectives aligned with California’s ambitious goals to rapidly improve sustainable travel options and reduce the harmful impacts from driving on our most vulnerable communities and the global climate. Jeanie’s expertise is expected to bring elevated value to Fearless Advocacy’s existing work to accelerate state support and development of wildlife crossings and corridors.

“It’s thrilling to take this next step with Jeanie to build Fearless Advocacy’s capacity and scope. Her experience, values, and fearlessness are unparalleled in California’s transportation policy realm and she will bring immediate and immense value to her clients,” said Jennifer Fearing, founder and president of Fearless Advocacy. “I look forward to the synergies we will generate, and the good we will do together for people and the planet.”

“We’re beyond excited to have Jeanie working with CalBike again,” says Kendra Ramsey, CalBike executive director. “Her skills as a mobility advocate and her deep understanding of Caltrans from the inside will be invaluable assets in our campaign to make state-controlled roadways safer for people biking, walking, and taking transit.”

“I’m thrilled that Jeanie will be working with TransForm to hold state agencies accountable on how they spend transportation dollars. I’ve seen Jeanie in action, and she’s the strategic coalition builder we need to make real change happen so that we can meet California’s climate and equity goals.” – Jenn Guitart, Executive Director of TransForm.

Fearless Advocacy is in its tenth year producing policy and budget successes for nonprofits in California. Fearing has been named to the Capitol Weekly’s annual “Top 100” list five times and in 2019 was voted by her peers as public interest lobbyist of the year. She authored the chapter on nonprofit lobbying in the Kendall-Hunt textbook A Practitioner’s Guide to Lobbying and Advocacy in California.

For Immediate Release: 10/9/23

Contact: Kendra Ramsey, CalBike, (707) 469-3387, kendra@calbike.org

CalBike Statement on Caltrans Firing of Active Mobility Expert

Caltrans Must Serve All Californians, Not Just People in Cars

Re: Caltrans to Ward-Waller: Our way or the highway – Politico 10/3/23

SACRAMENTO – In her role as Deputy Director of Planning and Modal Programs, former CalBike policy director Jeanie Ward-Waller was instrumental in moving Caltrans toward investments in transportation infrastructure that supports low-carbon mobility options for all Californians, and divesting from traffic-inducing practices and infrastructure. CalBike is disappointed that Caltrans removed Ward-Waller from this post, despite her record of positive achievements, including helping the agency draft its Complete Streets policy.

“Jeanie is a tireless advocate for better biking and walking infrastructure,” said CalBike executive director Kendra Ramsey. “Her firing is a huge loss for Caltrans, for climate justice, and for anyone who cares about creating safer roadways in California.”

As the agency responsible for 50,000 miles of roadways–almost 20% of which serve as local streets–Caltrans plays an enormous role in making roads in California safe places for people to bike and walk. The agency is also tasked with moving our transportation network away from car dependency to support the state’s climate change goals. But as the recent firing of the person responsible for keeping Caltrans on track with those goals shows, the agency that used to be called the Department of Highways still sees its primary role as increasing California’s highway capacity, working against the transition to a green transportation future.

California Must Invest in Complete Streets

It is a critical time for transportation in California; vulnerable road users are subject to an epidemic of traffic violence, and our state is not advancing quickly enough toward viable low-carbon transportation options. Now more than ever, Caltrans must be a leader in fostering Complete Streets throughout the state and rebuilding our transportation networks to support safe, accessible, and convenient options for walking, bicycling, and taking transit.

At the same time, it’s critical to stop expanding freeways. Decades of research confirm that increased highway capacity induces more driving, and California and the world must invest in alternatives to transport goods and people and divest from polluting roadways that fracture communities and habitats. Caltrans removed Ward-Waller from her post after she raised concerns that pavement rehabilitation funds were being used for roadway widening. This underscores the disconnect between Caltrans practices and California’s stated commitment to climate-friendly transportation policies.

What CalBike is Doing

CalBike worked to institutionalize a commitment to supporting active transportation at Caltrans when it sponsored the Complete Streets Bill in 2019, which would have mandated a more transparent process at the agency and more Complete Streets. Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill citing the direction of new leadership, and Caltrans vowed to do better. While we have seen some improvement, Ward-Waller’s firing is an ominous sign that the agency’s priorities and vision remain car-centric.

CalBike is digging into how well Caltrans has lived up to its promises to consider the needs of people who bike and walk, and we expect to start releasing data this winter as we prepare a full report.

CalBike is also working with our partners in local and regional agencies as well as local and regional advocates to demand that Caltrans interchanges be subject to new Complete Streets design guidance under Design Information Bulletin (DIB) 94. We applaud the governor for signing SB 695, which will bring more transparency to Caltrans projects, but that’s just the first step.

CalBike remains committed to holding Caltrans accountable for honoring the will of the legislature to protect the climate and the safety of people biking and walking. California needs a moratorium on highway expansions and a strong commitment to creating Complete Streets that make biking and walking safe and appealing.

Tag Archive for: Jeanie Ward-Waller

Jeanie Ward-Waller Joins CalBike as Consultant

Leading Transportation Expert and Advocate Jeanie Ward-Waller Joins Fearless Advocacy

Response to Caltrans Firing Jeanie Ward-Waller

CalBike Statement on Caltrans Firing of Active Mobility Expert

Caltrans Must Serve All Californians, Not Just People in Cars

California Must Invest in Complete Streets

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