About Us

Alex Hudson (She/Her) brings more than nine years of experience as a non-profit leader, having previously served as the Executive Director at Transportation Choices Coalition and the First Hill Improvement Association. A widely respected civic leader, Alex also serves on the boards of Bellwether Housing and the Freeway Park Association. She was named by Seattle Magazine as one of Seattle’s most influential people in 2015 and was a candidate for Seattle City Council in 2023.

“I am so excited to join Commute Seattle at this important moment. This year Seattle will begin an expanded age of public transit – with new services linking our region like never before, and Commute Seattle has a vital role to play in connecting Seattle’s residents and workers to our region’s new transportation opportunities. As a car-free Seattleite and the parent of a teenager, I understand the importance of sustainable, affordable connections to jobs, schools, healthcare, entertainment and everywhere in-between. I look forward to getting to know the team at Commute Seattle, and collaborating closely with our public-agency and private-sector partners as we work towards our shared goals.”

Zarina Infante (She/Her) joins the Commute Seattle team as a Program Manager to work with property managers and large buildings on their sustainable commute programs. She began working in transportation through the world of car-sharing in 2014. Zarina oversaw outreach to local businesses and fostered partnerships to launch innovative mobility programs throughout Seattle. Zarina is from the Bay Area originally and earned her BS in Business Management from San Jose State University. She found her passion in helping people access transportation resources as she witnessed the growing congestion in Silicon Valley and Seattle. Reach out to Zarina to get to know her!

Tara Peters (She/They) is excited to be part of the Commute Seattle team as an avid cyclist and transit user. She first joined the team in 2022 to help small-mid size businesses implement ORCA benefits for their employees before being promoted to the role of Communications Director in 2024. Tara holds a BA in Art History from the University of Washington and has worked in a number of arts, cultural, and conservation nonprofits. Hailing from a small town on the Olympic Peninsula, Tara continues to be delighted by all she can access by walking, cycling, and bussing across the city. Tara is passionate about making Seattle’s mobility options equitable, sustainable, safe, and joyful.

Armando Guerrero (He/Him) specializes in connecting Minority Owned Enterprises with corporations seeking to advance their Supplier Diversity. Having lived in different parts of the world, Armando brings a global  perspective and unique solutions crafted to his community. He has served on a non-profit board and on an Advisory Board for grant direction and development. He graduated with an Anthropology and Sociology degree, and shortly completed a Fulbright in Spain. Outside of work, Armando can be found at the gym, enjoying Seattle’s music scene, or keeping up with pop culture’s news. Having done outreach and marketing for other organizations, Armando is eager to lead the ORCA Business Program, bringing public transportation education and access to wards making Seattle a national leader in transportation.

Vivian Richard (she/her) is delighted to join the Commute Seattle team as the Administrative Specialist. She comes to us with political campaign experience and an extensive background in administration for an environmental advocacy nonprofit. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep passion for engaging with the public to drive positive change. Originally from Rhode Island, Vivian relocated to Washington just over a year ago and has quickly become enamored with all the city offers. When she’s not at work, she is busy writing her fantasy novel, creating music, and producing a storytelling podcast.

Jace Van Kleeck (they/he) is excited to join the Commute Seattle team as the Senior Transportation Specialist and work with employers and property managers on their commute programs. They have a background in office management, education, and customer service, and earned a B.A. in Psychology from WWU. They have also previously served as an Employee Transportation Coordinator. Having been born and raised in Seattle, Jace grew up on our transit and is thrilled to now be making a difference with Commute Seattle. In his spare time they love LEGO, flexing their professional baking skills, and going on adventures with his dogs Margo and Mutton.

David Barford (He/Him) joins the Commute Seattle team as the Education & Events Specialist, eager to create innovative, informative, and inclusive events to further CS’s mission. David received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Performance and served as Principal Oboe of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra for seven years. Beyond his onstage experience, he led the TSO wind quintet by writing and producing their education concerts, which they performed at around 40 schools annually. After shifting careers and moving to Seattle, David became Communications Manager at Basel Action Network, an environmental watchdog group, writing newsletters focused on the international plastic waste trade and electronics recycling. Passionate about sustainability and community-building, David sees this role as an opportunity to promote equitable and accessible transit for everyone in Seattle.

Elizabeth Baer (she/her) is thrilled to be the Transportation Specialist at Commute Seattle! Elizabeth is passionate about how transportation can support both environmental health and human rights simultaneously and is excited to be working to develop creative and sustainable transportation solutions. Elizabeth has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Trinity College and worked in climate action education and policy prior to joining Commute Seattle. Born and raised in Seattle, Elizabeth loves contributing to the community she grew up in and exploring the natural beauty of the Puget Sound Region. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to run, ski, hike, bike, and paddleboard!

Anna Smalley (she/her) is so excited to be joining the Commute Seattle Team as the Education & Outreach Specialist! Previously, Anna supported events and administration for the Downtown Seattle Association where she developed strong relationships with the downtown business community and advocated for healthy, well-connected cities. She graduated with a degree in Economics and Public Affairs from Seattle University where she focused her internships and leadership on promoting sustainable development. In her free time, Anna loves to explore Washington’s great outdoors, discuss books, and drink tea lattes. She is also a proud Minnesotan!

A-P Hurd (She/Her) is the president of SkipStone, a consulting firm that provides real estate and planning services to private and public clients. She is the former president of Touchstone, a real estate development company that completed 2M SF transit-oriented projects under her leadership and won the national Developer of the Year award in 2016. Hurd is a director on several corporate and nonprofit boards and a former University of Washington faculty member. She speaks and writes nationally and internationally about urban economics, transit and housing.

Chase Kitchen, (He/Him) is the Manager of State and Local Government Affairs for Amtrak in the Greater Northwest where he is focused on helping communities take advantage of the opportunities available to use intercity passenger rail to address regional mobility needs. Chase has spent over a decade in public service helping federal and local government leaders make meaningful progress on complex policy and political challenges to support more sustainable, equitable, and just communities. Chase and his wife Amelia live in Ballard with their delightful two-year old daughter and their A+, #1, best puppa, Eowyn. Chase gets around town primarily by bike and bus. Chase is also a proud volunteer for Cascade Bicycle Club’s Pedaling Relief Project.

Shefali Ranganathan (She/Her) is Seattle’s former Deputy Mayor of External Relations, where she played a key role in shaping policies that advanced equity, public transportation, and urban infrastructure. Prior to joining the Mayor’s Office, she led the Transportation Choices Coalition, spearheading initiatives like Orca Lift to make transit more affordable for low-income residents. She arrived in the U.S. just before 9/11, an experience that deepened her commitment to inclusion, resilience, and the power of public policy. Recognized as one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40,” she continues to be a role model for emerging leaders, particularly women and people of color in government. At the heart of her work is a belief that cities should be places of belonging and opportunity for all. Outside of public service, she and her family share a love of exploring Seattle’s vibrant food scene, a passion that reflects her belief in the unifying power of culture and community.

Bart Treece (He/Him) is the Director of the Mobility Innovation Center at the University of Washington, leading applied research projects that leverage innovation and technology to address transportation challenges. Since 2022, he has worked with public and private sector leaders to develop research initiatives that provide public value. A cofounder of the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub, Bart previously held key communications roles at WSDOT, managing external engagement, interagency coordination, and community outreach for major transportation projects. With a background in broadcast journalism, he has also contributed to nonprofit organizations and serves on the Board of Directors for Commute Seattle. Bart holds a Master of Sustainable Transportation from UW, a Bachelor of Science from ASU, and is a certified Professional Transportation Planner (PTP). An avid traveler, runner, and cyclist, he lives in Seattle and commutes primarily by walking or public transit.

Reza Marashi (He/Him) is Director of Government Affairs at Kilroy Realty Corporation. He oversees Kilroy’s government affairs activities in the Pacific Northwest, and interfaces with government officials regarding various issues related to Kilroy’s properties. Prior to Kilroy, Reza was a Public Policy Manager at Zillow. In that role, he advised business lines and government officials about regulations and consumer interests in the changing real estate, technology, and mortgage industries. Before joining Zillow, Marashi served at the U.S. Department of State and various think tanks in Washington DC. In his free time, Marashi enjoys cooking, traveling, and his declining ability to play basketball.

Gabe Grant (He/Him) is a Seattle native with over 25 years of experience in real estate, specializing in investment, development, and repositioning across various asset types. At Spectrum, he structures and finances development transactions and oversees major projects, including over $100 million in work for Seattle Children’s Hospital and student housing developments for Shoreline Community College and Western Washington University. Previously, as Vice President at HAL Real Estate Investments, he managed a $350 million portfolio, leading high-profile acquisitions, dispositions, and repositioning projects, including the award-winning Polyclinic Madison Center deal. Committed to civic engagement, Gabe serves on the Pike Place Market PDA Council and the board of Commute Seattle. A former Fulbright scholar and “40 Under 40” honoree, he holds degrees from the University of Washington and Harvard Kennedy School, with additional training in negotiation from Harvard Law.