The following is an announcement sharing news of the transition in leadership that will take place this August at Living Streets Alliance:

Changes ahead at Living Streets Alliance

July 7, 2025

Dear Friends,

When I reflect on the progress made over the 15 years since Living Streets Alliance started, one thing is overwhelming clear: the status quo has completely shifted in that time through the culmination of our efforts.

It’s not just a few people who believe in and talk about transit, biking, and walking anymore; a vision of safe and vibrant streets for people and multi-modal mobility has become the norm. We have a Mayor, multiple council members, and a Director of Transportation & Mobility who embrace Complete Streets. Even better, LSA isn’t the only group pushing for change – FUGA, Transit for All Coalition, Car Free Tucson, and many other grassroots groups are bringing new voices to the table and accelerating the transportation transformation.

Living Streets Alliance’s capacity as an organization has grown substantially, with strong leadership both at the staff and board level, a healthy and generative culture, solid systems in place, a broad network of supporters and partners, and trusted relationships across the community.

I firmly believe that the future is bright for Living Streets Alliance and for transportation in Tucson, which is why I'm excited to share some important news with you:

This August, Vanessa Cascio will be taking over the role of Executive Director

... and I will be moving on from LSA.

The work of transforming our transportation system is never done. As the founder and ED of nearly 15 years, I’m ready to move on and I’m delighted to pass the baton to the next generation of passionate, capable leaders of this movement.

Vanessa Cascio's appointment came out of a thoughtful, months-long, board-led process to ensure this transition is intentional, values-driven, and community-oriented. If you’ve been involved with LSA for a while you probably remember Vanessa, who previously served as our Director of Family Initiatives.

Vanessa Cascio (second from right) with a Tucson delegation she organized to attend the Youth Bike Summit in 2017 as part of our Reclaim Las Calles initiative

Vanessa brings a wealth of experience in public health, community engagement, public policy, and transportation advocacy, most recently with the Safe Routes Partnership where she has helped grow and support the Safe Routes to School movement across the nation for the past three years. She has strong roots in Tucson and has stayed connected and up to speed on issues here. I can’t imagine a more capable, thoughtful, and inspiring person to lead this organization!

As I reflect on my time growing and building LSA, I’d like to say thank you for believing in this mission and for all that we’ve been able to accomplish:

the adoption of a robust Complete Streets policy;
the first quick build traffic calming project in the region, followed by a dozen more;
huge Cyclovias that happen twice a year;
developing Safe Routes to School in collaboration with the City of Tucson
the build out of multiple Bicycle Boulevards and the first protected bike lanes;
dozens of successful campaigns both big and small;
fare-free transit;
millions in funding secured for biking and walking projects through Prop 407 and Prop 411;
hundreds of group rides, events, walking audits, inspirational speakers, workshops, and so much more.

We have come so far together!

Thank you for trusting me with this important work over the years and for showing up time and again when it really counted. It has been a joy and an honor to work with you and I look forward to seeing LSA continue to be a major force for good here in Tucson with your dedication, support and partnership.

In community and with gratitude,

Emily Yetman
Founder & Executive Director

The mission of Living Streets Alliance is to transform our streets into vibrant public places that bring people together and provide safe, accessible, and attractive transportation options.