Overview
- Join us for the third installment of the Chamber’s series: Transportation First.
- Convene with members and other stakeholders to discuss the City of Boston’s focus on local transportation modes.
Tickets
- Free to Members & Non-Members
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Addressing Challenges and Delivering Solutions
We kicked off the Chamber’s Transportation First series hearing from leaders at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) about the current state and future plans for local and regional transit. Now, join us on Tuesday, April 15, for our third installment, as we continue the conversation addressing the transportation crisis in Massachusetts with a focus on local transportation modes throughout the City of Boston.
We will hear from Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets for the City of Boston, who will discuss the City’s current transportation priorities and outline the vision for moving people throughout Boston and its neighborhoods. Following the address, he will be joined by Kate Dineen, President & CEO of A Better City, and James E. Rooney, President & CEO of the Boston Chamber for a conversation on solutions and opportunities for businesses and communities to shape the future of transportation in the City of Boston.
ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FIRST
The Transportation First series offers a platform to discuss the urgent challenges Greater Boston faces by bringing in experts and changemakers to explore the issues and potential solutions for the future of the Commonwealth. This series will help raise broader awareness among employees and employers who are affected by the transit system every day.
We will hear from Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets for the City of Boston, who will discuss the City’s current transportation priorities and outline the vision for moving people throughout Boston and its neighborhoods. Following the address, he will be joined by Kate Dineen, President & CEO of A Better City, and James E. Rooney, President & CEO of the Boston Chamber for a conversation on solutions and opportunities for businesses and communities to shape the future of transportation in the City of Boston.
ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FIRST
The Transportation First series offers a platform to discuss the urgent challenges Greater Boston faces by bringing in experts and changemakers to explore the issues and potential solutions for the future of the Commonwealth. This series will help raise broader awareness among employees and employers who are affected by the transit system every day.
Questions? Contact us.
Erica Deese
Senior Program Manager
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Speakers
Jascha Franklin-Hodge
Chief of Streets,
City of Boston
Jascha Franklin-Hodge serves as the Chief of Streets where he oversees the City’s Public Works and Transportation Departments. He supports the delivery of high-quality…Read more
Jascha Franklin-Hodge serves as the Chief of Streets where he oversees the City’s Public Works and Transportation Departments. He supports the delivery of high-quality essential city services and works to implement Mayor Wu’s transportation priorities, including reliable, affordable transit service, safer street design in every neighborhood, and a connected network of low-stress bicycle routes.
He most recently served as the Executive Director of the Open Mobility Foundation, a foundation that helps cities collaborate with the private sector to develop open source tools and data standards that work towards a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation system.
Chief Franklin-Hodge previously served as the City of Boston’s Chief Information Officer from 2014 to 2018 and led the City’s Department of Innovation and Technology. He has been a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, focused on mobility, technology, and public policy, and a consultant to the private sector on new mobility and smart cities. Previously, Franklin-Hodge co-founded Blue State Digital which powered the digital presence of President Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns.
Franklin-Hodge studied computer science at MIT. He lives with his husband and two young kids in Jamaica Plain and travels mostly by bike and public transit.
He most recently served as the Executive Director of the Open Mobility Foundation, a foundation that helps cities collaborate with the private sector to develop open source tools and data standards that work towards a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation system.
Chief Franklin-Hodge previously served as the City of Boston’s Chief Information Officer from 2014 to 2018 and led the City’s Department of Innovation and Technology. He has been a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, focused on mobility, technology, and public policy, and a consultant to the private sector on new mobility and smart cities. Previously, Franklin-Hodge co-founded Blue State Digital which powered the digital presence of President Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns.
Franklin-Hodge studied computer science at MIT. He lives with his husband and two young kids in Jamaica Plain and travels mostly by bike and public transit.
Kate Dineen
President & CEO,
A Better City
Kate is the President & CEO of A Better City—she served at the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from May 2019 to April 2023. Prior to joining…Read more
Kate is the President & CEO of A Better City—she served at the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from May 2019 to April 2023. Prior to joining A Better City, Kate worked for the New York State Governor’s Office, serving as the Chief of Staff for State Operations, Assistant Secretary for the Environment, and Deputy Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery after Superstorm Sandy. She was previously U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Policy Director and has worked in the non-profit and media sectors. Kate serves on numerous commissions and boards and is an Advisory Council Member for the Tufts University Center for State Policy Analysis. Kate was named to the 2024 Boston Business Journal Power 50 list and the 2018 City & State Magazine 40 Under 40 list. Outside of her work at A Better City, Kate is a leading advocate for reproductive rights and was recognized as a 2022 Boston Globe Bostonian of the Year Honorable Mention. Kate holds a B.A. in English from Williams College and a Masters in City Planning from MIT, and was a Non-Resident Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School Homeland Security Project. She lives in Boston with her family.
James E. Rooney
President & CEO,
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
James E. Rooney is President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the region’s most influential business association.
With Rooney’s commitment…Read more
James E. Rooney is President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the region’s most influential business association.
With Rooney’s commitment and leadership, the Greater Boston Chamber is now the leading convener, voice, and advocate for the region. Strategizing with government leaders, private companies, and public institutions to strengthen the state’s competitiveness, Rooney advances the future of commerce with public policies and legislation that champions dynamic and resilient people, communities, and workplaces.
Before leading the Chamber, Rooney served as executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), overseeing the development and construction of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) while leading the management teams of four MCCA-owned facilities. Prior, Rooney served two years as Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, chairing the Mayor’s cabinet to move forward all aspects of city governance.
Rooney started his public career at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), starting as a track laborer and ending as Deputy General Manager. He served one year as the MBTA’s Acting General Manager during a gubernatorial transition. Using his transportation financing expertise, Rooney led one of the nation’s largest transportation projects, the $15 billion “Big Dig” Central Artery highway project, and he served as Chief Financial Officer at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.
Rooney serves in leadership positions on several boards of directors, including the Committee of 100 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (ACCE), Board Member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, New England (NACDNE), Co-Chair of the Madison Park Steering Committee, and Member of the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). Rooney continues to be recognized for his professional and civic contributions, including being named to the list of 100 Most Influential Bostonians by Boston Magazine numerous times, receiving the City of Boston Lifetime Achievement Award for advocacy of the immigrant community, and he was honored with the PCMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the global meetings industry.
Born and raised in South Boston, Rooney attended the prestigious Boston Latin School, where he served as President of his graduating class. He graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and attended the Boston University Graduate School of Management.
With Rooney’s commitment and leadership, the Greater Boston Chamber is now the leading convener, voice, and advocate for the region. Strategizing with government leaders, private companies, and public institutions to strengthen the state’s competitiveness, Rooney advances the future of commerce with public policies and legislation that champions dynamic and resilient people, communities, and workplaces.
Before leading the Chamber, Rooney served as executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), overseeing the development and construction of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) while leading the management teams of four MCCA-owned facilities. Prior, Rooney served two years as Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, chairing the Mayor’s cabinet to move forward all aspects of city governance.
Rooney started his public career at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), starting as a track laborer and ending as Deputy General Manager. He served one year as the MBTA’s Acting General Manager during a gubernatorial transition. Using his transportation financing expertise, Rooney led one of the nation’s largest transportation projects, the $15 billion “Big Dig” Central Artery highway project, and he served as Chief Financial Officer at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.
Rooney serves in leadership positions on several boards of directors, including the Committee of 100 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (ACCE), Board Member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, New England (NACDNE), Co-Chair of the Madison Park Steering Committee, and Member of the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). Rooney continues to be recognized for his professional and civic contributions, including being named to the list of 100 Most Influential Bostonians by Boston Magazine numerous times, receiving the City of Boston Lifetime Achievement Award for advocacy of the immigrant community, and he was honored with the PCMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the global meetings industry.
Born and raised in South Boston, Rooney attended the prestigious Boston Latin School, where he served as President of his graduating class. He graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and attended the Boston University Graduate School of Management.
Agenda
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2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Registration & Networking
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3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Program
Series Sponsor
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This is a free event but if you can no longer attend please notify us so we can open up spots for other guests.
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce encourages persons with disabilities to participate, and engage fully, in its programs and events.
If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, including but not limited to, listening devices, closed captioning, large print, wheelchair access, allergies and environmental sensitivities, or if you have any questions about the venue, event format, or virtual platform, please contact us at chamberprograms@bostonchamber.com.