CEO

Danielle Elkins

Danielle understands how politics, policy, and stakeholders can impact a business's bottom line or determine whether or not a startup is successful. She's part creative, part analytic, which means she can visualize and articulate complex problems and trends. She thrives on challenge, change, and making things more user-friendly. She's worked with cities around the U.S., formerly as a Government Affairs Director for CH2M, a Fortune 500 engineering company.

She grew up outside of Minneapolis, MN before moving to California to attend the University of Southern California where she received her BS in Civil Engineering - Building Science (Architecture). Early in her career she worked across both transportation design and government affairs advocating for better transportation and water infrastructure throughout California.

In 2012, a promotion took her to Atlanta, GA, the tech hub of the South, to help the CH2M drive innovation in smart cities, water, and transportation. In 2017, she founded Civic Ideation LLC to bridge the gap between engineering, tech and government in the US. She's a recognized leader in local and state transportation policy and has worked with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and National League of Cities to educate local elected officials on transportation trends since 2007. 

In 2018, Danielle was offered the opportunity to return to her hometown through FUSE Corps as an Executive Fellow to the City of Minneapolis Department of Public Works. Danielle developed a mobility program for the City that was internationally recognized and created best practices for local government agencies.

Leadership & Affiliations

• Transportation Research Board - Transportation Issues in Major Cities Committee member (2015-2020)

• Women in Transportation Seminars - Chapter leader, Int’l Chapter Circle of Excellence Committee Founding Member

• Twin Cities Shared Mobility Collaborative – Steering Committee Member

• Open Mobility Foundation – Privacy Subcommittee Member

• Co-founder & President - Advance Atlanta

• Co-founder Young Professionals in Transportation San Francisco Bay Area

• LEAD Atlanta Community Issues Day, Transportation & Regionalism, Co-Chair (2017 & 2018)

Honors

• Atlanta Regional Commission Regional Leadership Institute 2015

• LEAD Atlanta 2016

• Atlanta Regional Commission Millennial Advisory Committee - Action Team #1

• Women in Transportation Seminars Mid-Career Leadership Class of 2016

• CH2M’s Women’s Leadership Program 2012

• 2018 100 Influential Women to Know by Engineering Georgia Magazine

• 2019 50 Women in the Know by Engineering Georgia Magazine

Education

University of Southern California
B.S., Civil Engineering (Building Science)

Representative Work

Articles/Blogs:

• Work feature, Minneapolis Seeking More Equitable Transportation Alternatives, FUSE Corps & Next City

• 14 Smart Strategies for Designing Human-Centered Transportation Systems, FUSE Corps

• Herocrats Spotlight: Danielle Elkins

Speaking Engagements:

• Guest Speaker, Mileage Based User Fees, State of Georgia Joint Study Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Funding

• Teacher, Public Affairs Council, Stakeholder Mapping, 2016, 2017 & 2020

• Eno Foundation Webinar, How the City of Minneapolis is Addressing Equity in Shared Mobility

• Guest Speaker, Urban Transportation Innovation Fellow Mid-year Update, Minneapolis City Council Transportation & Public Works Committee

• Presenter, Action Team #1 Pitch, Atlanta Regional Commission Millennial Advisory Committee

• Presenter, Spark Talk on Inequality in Transportation, New Leaders Council

• Podcast Guest, The Movement Podcast, We’re Painting the Picture in Reverse

• Podcast Quest, Eden Strategies Institute, Laying the Groundwork for New Mobility

• Urbanism Next Webinar, Mobility Hubs: Lessons and Learnings from Pilots in Minneapolis and Boston