Alicia John-Baptiste is the president and CEO of SPUR. She is responsible for defining the overall vision and strategy for the organization. A seasoned leader and public policy professional, Alicia has over 20 years of experience reimagining systems to create better outcomes for people. Her optimistic vision and practical approach inform SPUR’s efforts to build a Bay Area where all people can thrive.
Prior to her time at SPUR, Alicia developed deep appreciation for local government and its commitment to the collective good while serving in leadership roles for the City and County of San Francisco, most recently as Chief of Staff at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Locally and nationally recognized for her public policy expertise, inspirational perspective and creative approach to systems change, Alicia focuses her talents and experience on building shared dreams. Alicia holds a Masters degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University. She lives in Oakland with her husband, twin children and puppy, Bowie, and loves nothing more than to travel with three of the four of them.
Speaking:
Day 2 Working Group, October 20th 10:30 - 11:30 AM PT:
Healthy Communities: Our Built Environments, Planning for the Future
With over half of the world’s population living in urban areas and the world’s cities more densely populated than ever before, building healthy and resilient cities is essential in the face of complex challenges. Often, cities can provide better access to services and jobs, but rapid urban growth is also linked to poverty, environmental degradation, and population demands that outstrip capacity. Meanwhile, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events brought on by climate change threatens homes, livelihoods and decades of urban economic gains. This conversation will explore how climate change and the pandemic has changed what people are looking for in their neighborhoods and communities. We will look at how cities can plan for the future while protecting vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people with disabilities, who experience some of the greatest challenges in urban environments.
SPEAKERS
Alicia John-Baptiste, President and CEO of SPUR
Joseph Kunkel, Director of MASS's Sustainable Native Communities Design Lab
Dana Omran, Regional Director, Africa the Resilient Cities Network
Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Hausler, Founder and CEO of Build Change
