Seeing Yourself in a Shared Micromobility Role
As part of NABSA’s update to the Workforce Diversity Toolkit and strategy to increase diversity in the shared micromobility workforce at all levels, we are also launching a blog and social media series that spotlights jobs in shared micromobility throughout the year. We’re calling this series “Workforce Diversity Wednesdays,” where NABSA will post interviews with individuals in the shared micromobility industry highlighting their work and role with the hopes of encouraging more diversity and representation in the field.
Meet Stefanie Brodie, PhD! Stefanie is the Research Practice Lead with Toole Design Group where she leads and supports a wide range of projects related to equity, safety, and new mobility. Stefanie is a current NABSA Board member and NABSA Research & Data Committee Chair.
How did you come to arrive at working in shared micromobility and your current role?
In my last role at the District Department of Transportation (Washington, DC), I coordinated research for the agency. When dockless bikeshare entered the US ecosystem, DDOT set up a pilot program, but it needed evaluation to help direct future iterations of the program. As an in-house researcher, I led the evaluation effort with the help of several external research teams. I worked closely with the policy and program team for shared micromobility and quickly got absorbed into the space. I’ve since changed roles and am more focused on transportation equity and multimodal safety, both of which are inherently tied to shared micromobility.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
So often, research can feel removed from work on the ground. A big part of what I do is make the connection between research and practice, and that’s rewarding. I also get to work on some meaningful and challenging projects like creating transportation equity resources for the Association of Washington Cities and the cities across the state (and hopefully beyond) and digging into the history of communities along the San Francisco Bay Trail to help the Metropolitan Transportation Commission advance their equity strategy.
What has surprised you most about your job?
The way people at Toole Design and the company’s values motivate my work; I didn’t expect it. We really work daily to make traveling without a car safer and more enjoyable for everyone. It sounds like a pitch, but it’s real. I suppose that’s what makes it surprising.
