Mayor Freddie O’Connell has announced the hiring of Sabrina Sussman as the ‘chief program officer’ to oversee the implementation of the Choose How You Move transportation improvement program. The program was approved by 66% of Nashville voters on the November 2024 ballot, and early foundational work on the program is underway.
Sussman comes to Nashville after two years at the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she served as chief of staff to Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg and senior advisor to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
“Voters’ overwhelming approval of Choose How You Move gives us the opportunity to make generational change to our transportation infrastructure,” Mayor O’Connell said. “Sabrina has all the experience necessary to help us successfully implement one of the largest capital programs in Nashville history. I am excited to work with her to deliver the change Nashvillians seek.”
Sussman has worked on the leading edge of transportation policy for nearly two decades, has executed operations for public and private organizations, has a deep understanding of public policy and funding, and has a demonstrated talent for engaging with people from all walks of life. Her experience dots both the federal and local landscapes with experience working in city government in New York, federal government in D.C., and in coalition building between public and private enterprises.
“This is an exceptional moment in Nashville’s history. In an era of division, Nashvillians transcended that to overwhelmingly support a better transportation future for each of us,” Sussman said. “I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility to help bring that future to reality, and I appreciate the chance to work with the talented local leadership team already in place.”
Sussman is a strong advocate for the north star of safety encompassed by Vision Zero with a deep personal passion for pedestrian safety. She holds a master’s degree in ‘political management’ from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from American University.
Sussman’s start date will be in the early summer. Mayor O’Connell has officially appointed Kendra Abkowitz, the Mayor’s Office senior director of sustainability and resilience,’ as the acting program director for Choose How You Move during the transition. Abkowitz has been informally serving in the role since referendum passage in November. She and Director of Transportation Planning Michael Briggs were instrumental in the development and passage of the Choose How You Move program. Abkowitz is currently overseeing the initial components of the program and will support Sussman as she moves into the CPO role.
Sussman connected with Nashville leaders through Civic Match, which matches federal employees with local job opportunities.
“Cities like Nashville are proving what’s possible when local government steps up to capture the skills and commitment of former federal workers,” said Caitlin Lewis, executive director of Work for America. “Civic Match is proud to connect mission-driven leaders like Sabrina (whose talent shows the power of public service at every level) with cities and states ready to invest in their communities.”
O’Connell is also appointing the remaining nine additional community members the Choose How You Move advisory committee on transportation: Ashley Northington, Clay Haynes, Gary Moore, Gracie Sloan, Jennifer Carlat, Joseph Gutierrez, Rashed Fakhruddin, Walter Searcy, and Zach Young will join the 15-member committee.
They will join the five members selected by the Metro Council earlier this month and Vice Mayor Angie Henderson on the 15-member body.
