Morning Keynote

Edith Makra
Director of Environmental Initiatives - Metropolitan Mayors Caucus

Edith Makra directs sustainability initiatives for the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, a coalition of 275 mayors in the greater Chicago region. Makra developed the Greenest Region Compact, a consensus sustainability pledge now adopted by 159 Chicago-area communities, forming the largest regional municipal sustainability collaborative in the US. She has led the creation of the first climate action plan for the Chicago region and is now leading municipalities to prepare for transportation electrification.  
 
Makra previously served as the first environmental advisor to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and has directed state-wide and regional environmental programs in Illinois and Massachusetts.  
 
She has a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Illinois; an Executive Sustainability Certificate from Harvard University; and is an International Society of Sustainability Professionals –Sustainability Excellence Professional; and is a Climate Change Professional, Certified by the Association of Climate Change Officers. 

Afternoon Keynote

Nadine S. Lee
President & CEO - Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
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Nadine Lee is the President & Chief Executive Officer for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) where she leverages the talents and expertise of 3700 employees to deliver mobility freedom for all.

Previously, Nadine served in the roles of Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief Innovation Officer for Los Angeles County Metro, where she established the Vision 2028 Strategic Plan, the Offices of Equity & Race and Customer Experience, and the Better Bus Program.

Prior to L.A., Nadine led the development and implementation of the Flatiron Flyer Bus Rapid Transit for Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD), a project that produced a 40% increase in corridor ridership in its first few months of service.

In addition to her civil engineering background, Nadine is committed to using performance measurement and continuous improvement to elevate the quality of DART’s mobility services for the benefit of everyone in North Texas.

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