An award-winning writer during his distinguished career in journalism, Ben Feller is now a strategic adviser who specializes in helping companies and organizations find the language they need to win. His business role follows a 20-year reporting career in which he was honored as a "master of deadline reporting" and served as the Chief White House Correspondent for The Associated Press. During the presidencies of Barack Obama and George W. Bush, Ben helped lead White House coverage for the largest news organization in the world. Across his career, Ben spent years covering issues of transportation, public safety, and local and state governments. Ben is also a writing coach, event moderator, public speaker, and the author of “Big Problems, Little Problems,” a children's book on conquering life's frustrations that reviewers have described as "simply extraordinary." He lives in New York City.

Nationally known speaker Bill Cordes, The YOGOWYPI Guy has a 35 year history of engaging audiences specifically around the topics of mobility safety and building community. We will laugh a little, learn a little and pull the day together while giving you tools on how you can engage your audiences, create powerful messaging, and reach your people clearly and effectively!

Jonathan Adkins became Chief Executive Officer of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) in 2023 after nearly a decade as Executive Director. He leads GHSA’s Washington, D.C. office, represents state highway safety programs in policy discussions, and has expanded the organization’s reach through strategic partnerships and initiatives. With more than two decades at GHSA, Adkins has played a key role in advancing highway safety policies and fostering collaboration among agencies and advocacy groups. A graduate of Dickinson College, he serves on multiple boards, including the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving, and actively volunteers with organizations focused on education, equality, and public safety. He lives in Washington, DC’s Logan Circle neighborhood with his husband, Ben.

Rick Birt is the Director of the Washington, DC Highway Safety Office (HSO), leading efforts to implement evidence-based countermeasures for road safety. With over a decade of experience in highway safety and prevention, he previously served as President/CEO of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and has consulted for various organizations. Rick holds degrees from Wittenberg University and The Ohio State University. Outside of work, he volunteers at Washington Reagan (DCA) Airport, explores DC’s bike trails, and enjoys city walks with his pup, Phoenix. He and his wife, proud Ward 5 residents, continue their quest for the best desserts in the District.

Charlie Willson is the Director of the DC Vision Zero Office. In this role, he coordinates across District Government on all elements of the Vision Zero strategy. He has served in various roles in the Vision Zero Office since joining the team in 2019. For him, Vision Zero means focusing resources on DC’s High Injury Network and prioritizing the streets and neighborhoods that are disproportionately affected by traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

Arriale Tabson is the Public Information Officer for the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), a division within the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. She began this role in June 2016. Arriale serves as the THSO’s spokesperson and is responsible for all earned-media communications regarding the state highway safety office. She was born in Charleston, South Carolina, but is a native of Clarksville, Tennessee. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication. In 2021, she earned the Governors Highway Safety Association’s Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award on behalf of the THSO for creating Tennessee’s distracted-driving enforcement bus tour campaign. Prior to serving in state government, Arriale handled entertainment tour publicity for companies based in Nashville.

Emily Davidson is the Executive Director of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Prior to this role, she served as the Special Assistant to the Registrar in the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and before that, as the Director of Administration and Professional Standards at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. She has her law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Emily also currently chairs the Ohio Traffic Safety Council and serves on the Governor’s Highway Safety Association Executive Board as the Region 5 Representative.

Elizabeth Branham is a Traffic Safety Specialist at the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery, an academic center at The Ohio State University. In her role, she coordinates coalitions of college campuses to address impaired road use, advocating for cross-sector collaboration to ensure the safety of young people on our roadways. Elizabeth believes that engaging college students in safe road use behaviors is vital, helping them develop lifelong safety practices at a crucial point in their lives, which enhances the overall safety of everyone on the road. Originally from the West Coast, Elizabeth is proud to call the DC area her home. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in public health and is a Certified Health Education Specialist.

Jessica Hugdahl began her journey with SADD in 1986 as a high school student, inspired to help her peers lead substance-free lives. Motivated by a personal family tragedy involving an impaired driver, she has dedicated her career to youth advocacy and traffic safety. After 21 years as Arizona’s State Coordinator, she now serves as SADD’s Director of Field Engagement, supporting chapters nationwide with cutting-edge prevention resources. Jessica’s commitment extends beyond SADD through leadership roles on numerous advisory boards focused on youth, traffic safety, and community well-being.

Rafael Moreno is a program analyst at the DC Vision Zero Office, where he is currently developing an automated crash injury dashboard that is fully accessible on mobile and offers significantly more analytics capabilities than the current version. Previously, at the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP), he developed a machine learning model to assess gun violence vulnerability in the District. His diverse background also includes NASA published research on Martian atmospheric composition a project he contributed to while affiliated with the Catholic University of America. Fun fact: He is also a former professional barista with latte art skills.

Alejandra (Ali) Brackett, MPH, CHES is a Senior Director of Research at IQ Solutions, Inc., where she leads public health research and evaluation initiatives spanning federal, state, and nonprofit sectors. She specializes in designing and managing mixed-methods studies to assess implementation, impact, and strategic outcomes across a range of public health topics. Her work draws on behavior change theory and both qualitative and quantitative methods to generate insights that inform programs and communication strategies. She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Promotion from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Community Health from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Mandy Buettgen-Quinn studied Transportation Engineering at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. She moved to the United States and began her work at the City of Springfield in 2006 in the traffic engineering department. There she gained experience in construction management, crash remediation, traffic calming and other areas. Mandy created and manages Springfield's pedestrian safety program, SGF Yields, as well as its generic version, SafeAcross. In 2024, Mandy received the 2024 Public Service Award from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for her pedestrian safety efforts. Additionally, Mandy is working to get Springfield’s Vison Zero program implemented. In her free time, Mandy likes to go backpacking and rock climbing with her family.

Bailey Cromer is an Organizational Development Specialist with a passion for leadership and talent development. Prior to this role, she spent over seven years with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), growing through various roles from student leader to young professional. Bailey holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice Counseling and Psychology from Peru State College. Based in southeast Nebraska, she enjoys traveling the world with her husband, Brady, and spending time with their English bulldog, Oakley.

Melissa Wandall is an influential speaker, advocate, and leader dedicated to inspiring individuals and organizations through her personal journey of resilience, advocacy, and empowerment. With a background in hospitality and entrepreneurship, Melissa transitioned into advocacy following personal tragedy and has since influenced legislation, road safety initiatives, and financial education programs. She is a sought-after speaker who connects with audiences through authenticity and a message of transformation.

Jawauna M. Greene is an Assistant Secretary of Transportation for the Maryland Department of Transportation. With a transportation career that spans more than 30 years, Ms. Greene has distinguished herself in the industry as a leading communications and marketing professional. She previously served as an executive for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, one of our nation’s largest transportation and infrastructure organizations. Ms. Greene has spent most of her professional career working in the national capitol area’s regional transportation agencies such as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Maryland Port Administration and the Maryland Transit Administration. She began her career working in the Maryland General Assembly and then went on to work for the late Congressman Elijah E Cummings. Ms. Greene has managed high-profile crisis communications efforts and community engagement initiatives. Ms. Greene holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Hood College, and a Master’s in Business from University of Maryland.