Leading Transportation Expert and Advocate Jeanie Ward-Waller Joins Fearless Advocacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO (January 12, 2024) - Fearless Advocacy, a Sacramento-based consulting firm specializing in advancing the policy agendas of mission-based and cause-oriented organizations, is pleased to announce that Jeanie Ward-Waller starts today as the firm’s first Director of Transportation Advocacy. Ward-Waller comes to Fearless Advocacy with nearly two decades of experience as a licensed professional engineer, advocate, and government executive. A former deputy director for planning and modal programs at Caltrans, Jeanie has been a vocal leader in advancing equitable and sustainable transportation in California from both inside and outside of government. 

“It’s a time of critical change in transportation, and bold leadership is needed to tackle the challenge of reimagining our car-dependent system. I couldn’t be more excited to join the highly influential Fearless Advocacy team and strengthen transportation advocacy in support of clients committed to this mission. I’m particularly honored to launch this work in partnership with CalBike, TransForm, and ClimatePlan, organizations that I know well and deeply respect, and invite anyone interested in collaborating to reach out,” said Ward-Waller.

In her new role, Jeanie today launches a lobbying and consulting practice focused on advancing transportation public policy and investment objectives aligned with California’s ambitious goals to rapidly improve sustainable travel options and reduce the harmful impacts from driving on our most vulnerable communities and the global climate. Jeanie’s expertise is expected to bring elevated value to Fearless Advocacy’s existing work to accelerate state support and development of wildlife crossings and corridors. 

“It’s thrilling to take this next step with Jeanie to build Fearless Advocacy’s capacity and scope. Her experience, values, and fearlessness are unparalleled in California’s transportation policy realm and she will bring immediate and immense value to her clients,” said Jennifer Fearing, founder and president of Fearless Advocacy. “I look forward to the synergies we will generate, and the good we will do together for people and the planet.” 

“We’re beyond excited to have Jeanie working with CalBike again,” says Kendra Ramsey, CalBike executive director. “Her skills as a mobility advocate and her deep understanding of Caltrans from the inside will be invaluable assets in our campaign to make state-controlled roadways safer for people biking, walking, and taking transit.”

"I'm thrilled that Jeanie will be working with TransForm to hold state agencies accountable on how they spend transportation dollars. I've seen Jeanie in action, and she's the strategic coalition builder we need to make real change happen so that we can meet California's climate and equity goals,” said Jenn Guitart, Executive Director of TransForm.

Fearless Advocacy is in its tenth year producing policy and budget successes for nonprofits in California. Fearing has been named to the Capitol Weekly’s annual “Top 100” list five times and in 2019 was voted by her peers as public interest lobbyist of the year. She authored the chapter on nonprofit lobbying in the Kendall-Hunt textbook A Practitioner’s Guide to Lobbying and Advocacy in California.

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