Call for Change Leaders

2026 New Shared Mobility Summit

Date of Issue: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Closing Date: Friday, December 5, 2025

What is the New Shared Mobility Summit?

The New Shared Mobility Summit, hosted by the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC), is a new kind of gathering—designed to bring together teams of local change leaders from across regions to collaborate deeply, and align on ideas to advance equitable and sustainable shared mobility solutions. By shared mobility, we mean all the options and infrastructure that free us from dependence on private cars for every trip we have to make. 

Check out our 2025 New Shared Mobility Summit page to get a glimpse into our inaugural year hosting the New Summit.

Who is the New Summit for?

The New Summit is designed for Local Change Teams—groups of 8–12 Change Leaders from roughly 10 cities or regions—coming together to connect, align, and build deep partnerships that drive local action.

It’s for teams ready to tackle complex challenges and shape a brighter future for their communities. Teams looking for an opportunity to step back from the daily grind, zoom out, and think big.

It’s for those who believe they can accomplish more together than alone, and who are eager to leverage each member’s strengths and positional power to achieve transformational change in their region.

What is a Change Leader?

Change Leaders aren’t defined by titles, organizations, or tenure—they’re defined by vision, energy, and the courage to drive transformation.

They might be public sector leaders from local, regional, or state agencies; community leaders from grassroots organizations; or partners in mobility, technology, or advocacy.

We also welcome leaders from adjacent sectors—like health, education, and economic development—who recognize that reliable, joyful, and safe transportation is essential to thriving communities.

How is the New Summit different?

1. We flip the script. Instead of one-way lectures, we center questions, conversations and discussions—because the richest insights come from the people in the room, not just the ones on stage.
2. We foster trust. Before we meet, we create shared agreements. During the event, we curate collaborative discussions and build in moments for intentional reflection—because trust is the foundation for future action, together.
3. We commit to equity. Our Change Teams are formed by local champions who know the leaders driving real change—regardless of their titles. We waive fees and offer travel stipends, because cost should never be a barrier to hearing diverse voices.

What to expect at the New Summit

The New Summit features three virtual workshops and a two-day in-person gathering in Chicago. During the in-person gathering, Change Teams will participate in four workshops together, with structured opportunities to share insights and learn from other teams.

We’ve designed a flexible framework that provides guidance and structure for group conversations, while allowing each team’s individual energy and expertise to shape the direction and focus of the work.

This is a generative, participant-driven format. While we’ll offer semi-structured time and tools, the experience is shaped by what you bring to it. The more you invest, the more you’ll take away.

Testimonials from NSMS 2025 Change Leaders

“This event had a focus on change management and strategies vs. the technical aspects of shared mobility. Go to a standard panel-presentation conference if you want the best way to deliver projects.  Knowing what to do isn’t the hard part. Capturing a shared vision and bringing everyone along with you is the real long-term change work.”

Meredith Klekotka (Twin Cities Change Team), Metro Transit

“I’ve attended past SUMC Summits as both staff and a guest, but this one felt unique. The speakers were inspiring in how they addressed overcoming challenges in transformational policy, and I also had the chance to strengthen connections and build genuine trust with partners from my region.”

Hugo Coronado (Chicago Change Team), Metropolitan Planning Center

“The program design was so intentional and effective, and it was really exciting to see the Change Teams in action. I heard such good feedback on the ground, things in the vein of ‘this conversation would never have happened virtually’ and ‘this group feels like such a trusted kitchen cabinet’. It’s clear that the attendees really got a lot out of the experience… I applaud SUMC for taking the time to think critically, to develop something wholly new and creative and generative.” 

Corinne Kisner, (2025 New Summit Mentor), Former NACTO Executive Director

“The Summit offered time to hear encouraging conversations about leadership, coalition building, and creating change, and our facilitated collaborative work- discussions designed for action, made for full days and lingering inspiration. Midori Valdivia (A Summit Mentor) shared insights that were stimulating and acknowledged what it means to bring your full self into meaningful work.”

Nedra Deadywyler (Atlanta Change Team), Civil Bikes

“I could not have asked for a better way to spend my time last week. Getting together with so many impactful individuals with their sights set on a common goal- mobility for all… This summit was only the genesis of what will be an ongoing discussion pushing for positive change… I cannot wait to continue our conversation back home, and to really lay out the path to reach our North Star.”

Konner Petz, (Detroit Change Team), Office of Mobility Innovation, City of Detroit

“The Summit was a testament to the organization’s mission to create a more equitable and sustainable transportation future. The sessions and discussions were highly informative and forward-thinking, in the process facilitating new conversations and providing the space for new friendships!”

Ian Harwick (Denver Change Team), RTD-Denver

Timeline & Process

• Call for Change Leaders issued: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
• Informational Webinar: Thursday, November 13, 2025
• Call for Change Leaders Closing Date: Friday, December 5, 2025, end of day
• Invitation to Interested Local Champions: Monday, December 15, 2025 
• Local Champion Questionnaire Closing Date: Friday, January 9, 2026 end of day
• Local Champions Selected: Mid January 2026
• Change Teams Identified and Invited: March 2026
• Virtual Workshops: Summer 2026
• 2026 New Shared Mobility Summit: September 2026 (Tentatively September 8-10)

Submission Instructions

• Responses are limited to one response per person.
• Please keep responses to suggested length answers.

• The Local Champion Questionnaire requires you to respond with a partner Local Champion (more details provided in Invitation).
• If you have questions about this process or the New Summit, please email sumcsummit@sharedusemobilitycenter.org

Informational Webinar Q&A

Q: What kinds of support does SUMC offer in identifying participants, developing, and then sustaining a Local Champion team?

• A: We work with the Local Champions (of which there will be at least two per city) to brainstorm the folks at local organizations and agencies who are doing important work to make up the Change Team. We do lean on the champs’ local knowledge and connections, but we provide advice and feedback on the composition of the team. Before in the in-person Summit we hold two training webinars for all the Change Teams, and then afterward we continue to stay connected and advise on sustaining a local team.

Q: Can you break down the associated costs of participating and attending the summit?

• A: It depends on what part of the country folks are coming from, but we estimate the costs at about $2500 total: $1500 for travel and lodging, $1000 for registration. However we will work with the teams to cover any amount of this that individual participants cannot. (i.e. there would be no out-of-pocket cost to participants if need be)

Q: What is the typical or idea profile of who goes on the team? e.g. nonprofit, government, academic, corporate? Early career, mid-career, C-level?

• A: This is ultimately up to who the Local Champion thinks are the Change Leaders that should be on the Change Team. With that said, the SUMC team will encourage that Local Champions think about the right people to come as change leaders in their comunities. Change Leaders aren’t defined by titles, organizations, or tenure—they’re defined by vision, energy, and the courage to drive transformation. The SUMC team will also always encourage a diverse group from a variety of sectors and organizations, including leaders from adjacent sectors—like health, education, and economic development—who recognize that reliable, joyful, and safe transportation is essential to thriving communities.

Q: I live in the Chicago area, but my company is based in California. What are the considerations for which change team would be best for me to apply?

• A: That depends on where you actually do most of your work and where you are the most knowledgable and passionate. Either team could make sense.

Q: Do you need to have another local champion already identified in the Dec 5 application?

• A: No, you do not need to have your partner Local Champion identified for the 1st round December 5th application. You need to identify that person for the second round due on January 9th.

Q: Could one’s objective as a local champion be some something so broad as, “I want to make it easier for kids to bike or scoot to school”?

• A: The objective can absolutely be that broad, and in fact we encourage teams made of up folks from a broader range of disciplines–even if they don’t see themselves as “working on transportation,” so many people are working on things that are adjacent to/depend on it, and we want to bring those perspectives to the table.