Transportation Alternatives Welcomes Ben Furnas as Next Executive Director

Furnas, an architect of Vision Zero and urban sustainability expert, comes from Cornell University, where he served as the Executive Director of The 2030 Project: a Cornell Climate Initiative

NEW YORK – Starting in January 2025, Ben Furnas will join Transportation Alternatives as its next Executive Director. 

Furnas, 40, is a leading expert in urban sustainability, climate, and infrastructure. From 2014 to 2021 he served in the New York City Mayor’s Office, where he was an early architect of the city’s Vision Zero plan, and where he culminated as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability, working to advance nation-leading initiatives to clean up the city’s buildings, develop renewable energy, expand worker protections, and embrace sustainable transportation. Most recently, he led Cornell University’s 2030 Project, where he worked to mobilize the university’s research expertise to advance large-scale climate solutions. Furnas lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two daughters, and he is a longtime cyclist and advocate for safer streets, better public transit, and a more liveable city. 

“We’re ecstatic to welcome Ben Furnas to Transportation Alternatives,” said Janet Liff, Chair of TA’s Board of Directors. “As a proven leader and sharp strategist who knows his way around City Hall, we’re confident he’s ready to lead TA into its next 50 years. For half a century, TA has been a driving force for good across the five boroughs, and the city is permanently changed because of this work and the people who do it. Decades ago, we couldn’t have imagined a Prospect Park without cars, a network of protected bike lanes, or a permanent Open Streets program – but the things TA fights for, happen. We’re excited to see how Ben leads the organization into its next decade of successes on behalf of the people of New York.”

“The greatest city in the world should have the greatest streets in the world. Every New Yorker deserves a variety of safe and convenient ways to get around, and no one should put their life at risk just by trying to get home,” said incoming Executive Director Ben Furnas. “I’m honored to join the amazing staff, members, volunteers, and board of Transportation Alternatives to champion that fight. T.A. has been at the forefront of so many remarkable transformations that have made New York safer and more livable. I have such deep appreciation for everything this organization has achieved for the people of New York, and I’m so humbled to be a part of this movement.”

The Board of T.A. selected Furnas based on his deep experience, his record of enacting change, and his vision for New York City. Furnas believes in realizing the hopes of the common-sense majority of New Yorkers who want safe and pleasant streets, a high-quality bike network, frequent and reliable transit, delightful public spaces, and an effective government that can plan, deliver, and maintain world-class infrastructure.

Furnas’s appointment comes at a critical moment for New York City and Transportation Alternatives. With the MTA’s Central Business District Tolling Program set to begin in less than a month, the city has a once-in-a-generation moment to reimagine its streets and public space for the public good. More and more New Yorkers are choosing to bike and many more are curious to try — if the streets felt safer. Fewer households are choosing to own cars today than four years ago, and many more would love to drive less if it were convenient. With comprehensive street redesigns, better infrastructure, and some reimagining, the city’s streets and public transportation could better serve everyone choosing to bike, walk, and take transit.

“In his time at Cornell, Ben has played a major role in implementing The 2030 Project and energizing a broad coalition of faculty investigators, alumni, and external partners in support of the project’s mission to translate groundbreaking research into real-world impacts for people and our planet,” said David M. Lodge, the Francis J. DiSalvo Director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and Co-Chair of The 2030 Project. “Thanks to Ben’s leadership, we have significantly scaled up our capacity to fund innovative, urgent, impact-oriented climate research - including the launch of a Climate Impact Fast Grants program and a Climate Solutions Fund. He has also helped to unite faculty from a wide variety of disciplines on collaborative climate solutions. We are grateful for Ben’s leadership and the ongoing impact he will have on building for a sustainable future.”

Megan Eiss and Elizabeth Adams have led TA as interim Co-Executive Directors since Danny Harris, the former Executive Director, stepped down in June. Under their leadership, TA has successfuly fought for the governor to begin the nation’s first congestion pricing program. Over the past year, TA has also secured major successes from passing Sammy’s Law in the state legislature to legalizing jaywalking in the City Council to a comprehensive redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. TA also negotiated its latest union contract this past summer. 

"It's been an honor and a privilege to lead TA alongside Megan Eiss over these past several months," said Elizabeth Adams, Interim Co-Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "Growing up in New York, I have seen how TA's work has shaped the streets of our city to be safer, greener, more resilient, and better in neighborhoods across the five boroughs. I know there's still so much more work to do, and I'm excited to work with Ben Furnas to bring the organization into its next stage. As we work to reimagine major highways like the Cross Bronx to the BQE, build a true network of protected bike lanes, or fight for faster, better buses, I know Ben is dedicated to our cause, to the future of New York City, and to the staff of TA. Transportation Alternatives' best days are still yet to come."

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