Erika Ewing, Board Chair

Erika Ewing is the General Counsel and Director of Labor Relations for the Day Care Council of New York, a non-profit membership organization of early childhood education providers throughout New York City. She advises and counsels members in providing high-quality and affordable early childhood education services. A dedicated public servant, Erika previously practiced law at multiple government agencies. She received her B.A. from the University of California, Riverside, and her JD from Fordham University School of Law. Erika enjoys mentoring the next generation of attorneys in her spare time, serving her community on non-profit boards, cycling, rowing, and Broadway theatre.

Jeff Anderson, Board Member

Jeff Anderson is CFO at Resigility LLC, a strategic consulting firm in Fairfax, VA, overseeing operations for the firm. He has over 30 years of experience in technology companies from small startups to GE, where he brought his knowledge of product marketing, software development, and a general passion for solving complex problems and thinking 'way' outside the box. Jeff is the kid who never stopped riding his bicycle after getting his driver’s license. He enjoys bike riding for fun and is a Masters competitor. Jeff got involved in bicycle advocacy when he attempted to ride his oldest child to school in 2009 and discovered there was no bike rack. His work helped change Fairfax County Public Schools' (11th largest school system in the US) policies toward students bicycling to school. He is a former President and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB). Jeff is also active in Boy Scouts as an adult leader and is a strong supporter of Girl Scouts. He is a firm believer biking and walking should be safe for all, regardless of where they live or how old they are. His education includes an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S in Electrical Engineering from Brown University.

Ann Blakey, Board Member

Ann is an independent financial advisor, working primarily with women and families to ensure they are positioned to meet their unique life goals -- and are able to handle the inevitable but unpredictable curve balls. Ann particularly enjoys helping her clients navigate major life transitions -- like job/career changes, children, divorce, or elder care. As a second career after taking some years to focus on her young children and their public schools, Ann wanted to reignite her professional life in a field that had a direct, positive impact on people and how they lived their lives. Ann's prior experience includes 15 years in television/media business, including PBS and National Geographic. Ann is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and holds a B.A. from Williams College and an MBA from Yale University. Ann and her family live in Arlington VA, where she volunteers regularly in her community.

Anamarie Ferreira de Melo, Board Member

Anamarie Ferreira de Melo is the co-founder of Urban Health Solutions (UHS), a public health consulting firm that integrates health and environmental considerations into urban planning and policy to reduce health inequities. With over two decades of experience, she has led pedestrian and bicycle safety studies and advanced health equity initiatives in underserved communities. She also co-founded Urban Health Partnerships (UHP), a nonprofit dedicated to fostering healthier streets and public spaces, promoting age-friendly communities for longevity, and improving food access, security, and justice. UHP embraces a community-driven leadership approach to building a culture of health equity, working closely with residents and stakeholders to create inclusive, sustainable environments. Prior to founding UHS and UHP, Anamarie managed the Safe Routes to School program for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. She holds a Master’s in Public Health with a specialization in Epidemiology, is certified in Public Health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health degree at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on Urban and Environmental Epidemiology. In her free time, Anamarie is an active mom of three, a community volunteer, and an advocate for safer, more equitable transportation systems.

Gillian Hotz, Board Member 

Gillian Hotz, PhD is a behavioral neuroscientist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis for the last 30 years. Her focus of clinical management and research study has been in neurotrauma, neurorehab and concussion. Dr. Hotz also is the Director of the KiDZ Neuroscience Center at UM, with evidenced-based injury prevention programs that include; WalkSafe (2005), BikeSafe (2009) and SkateSafe (2013). These educational-based programs have educated thousands of elementary and middle school-age students in Miami Dade County (MDC) and the State of Florida on an annual basis. The goal of these programs is to decrease brain and spinal cord injury in children and adolescents. As a Research Professor, her lab has been involved with many clinical trials and has focused her work on Improving Sports Concussion Management. Currently, she is in the process of analyzing 10 years of data from a Concussion Injury Surveillance System from a Countywide Concussion Care program for MDC.

Nadji Kirby, Board Member

Nadji Kirby is the Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives and Stakeholder Engagement at COMTO, where she plays a pivotal role on the executive team, leading COMTO’s strategic advisory services, NextGEN programs, and member engagement efforts. As the lead for COMTO’s advisory services, Nadji applies the organization’s 50+ years of community engagement, workforce development, and economic development expertise to address unique challenges in both the public and private sectors. Previously, as COMTO’s Chief of Staff, she supported the President & CEO in designing and implementing key organizational strategies, programs, and initiatives. Before her tenure at COMTO, Nadji held various leadership positions in the transportation industry, focusing on local and national initiatives aimed at improving the safety of vulnerable populations. She has a proven track record of forging and nurturing critical stakeholder relationships across multiple sectors, including community organizations and federal, state, and local governments. Nadji's commitment to serving others and her drive to foster positive change are foundational to her work and core principles. She earned a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Morgan State University and a Bachelor of Arts in international business and Russian studies from Eckerd College.

Amanda Metzger, Board Member

​​Amanda Metzger, MPH, is a public health professional with extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing community health programs focused on chronic disease prevention and active living. She holds a master’s degree in public health and a bachelor's degree in business administration. In her role at the YMCA of the USA, she supports local YMCAs and state alliances in advancing community-based health initiatives. Beyond her work in public health, Amanda is deeply involved in her community, serving as Chair of the Town of Summerville’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and on the boards of the local park’s foundation and community theater. She also owns a marketing, website, and graphic design company. Most importantly, she is the proud mom of two amazing kids. When not working or volunteering, you’ll likely find her running, reading, or enjoying a good cup of coffee. She is excited to serve on the Safe Routes Partnership National Board of Directors and support efforts to create safer, more accessible streets for everyone.