Staff & Board

Our Staff

Chad is a movement lawyer and an experienced nonprofit leader with extensive public and private work experience.  He has held roles at  Pfizer, Inc., U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, U.S. Department of Justice, New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, Mayor’s Office of the City of New Orleans, The Woods Law Group, and The First 72+ - a nonprofit serving the holistic and comprehensive needs of returning citizens. 

During the 2024 presidential election cycle, Chad served as the Louisiana State Organizing Manager for Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute. Most recently, Chad served as i-team Director in Hampton, VA with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation where he supported city leadership in generating innovative solutions to build more resilient, cleaner and more prosperous communities through co-design research and civic innovation.

Chad is a summa cum laude graduate of South Carolina State University and Tulane University Law School where he was a Dean's Scholarship Recipient as well as Editor-in-Chief of the Tulane Journal of Technology & Intellectual Property. Additionally, Chad was recently accepted into theinaugural class of the Executive and Leadership Coaching Academy at Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business.

Chad is a Columbia, SC native and proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Aqiyla is a Transit Ambassador dedicated to creating safe, accessible, and welcoming transit experiences. She supports the Adopt-a-Stop program through social media and email communications and by tracking service tickets to help ensure transit stops remain clean, safe, and responsive to community needs. She also supports Mobility University, contributing to community education and resident engagement around public transit.

Previously, Aqiyla worked for several years as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), bringing compassion and a strong service mindset to her work. Originally from upstate New York, she values community care and connection.

Transit holds personal significance for Aqiyla, as it has supported her independence and mobility. Outside of work, she enjoys doing nails and creating beaded jewelry.

Our Board

Chaya Braxton, Vice President City of Richmond Office of Strategic Communications

Benjamin Campbell Pastoral Associate, St Paul’s Episcopal Church

Rachel James Staff Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center

Carolien Tobe Disability Rights & Community Advocate

Dan Motta Sustainable Transportation Planner, PlanRVA

Nelson Reveley Impact Analyst and Advisor, Alpha Omega Wealth Management

Thomas Ruff Senior Transportation Project Manager, Timmons Group

Laura Schewel, President Founder & CEO, StreetLight Data

Sandra V. Serna Director, Office of Health Equity, Va. Dept. of Health

Nicolai Shuman, Treasurer Consultant, UZURV

Anthony Craft Passionate Community Advocate

Alex Vanik Program Development Officer at Serve Virginia