Rethinking Roads,
Reimagining Mobility
FITI 2025 S.T.E.P. Summit
March 7, 2025, Fresno, CA
An event for
Visionaries, Innovators,
Leaders & Changemakers
The 2025 S.T.E.P. Summit is a gathering for people who are leading the way in transportation and sustainability. This event is for those who want to improve how we move and make travel more sustainable.
Come join us for an exciting event with new ideas, hands-on exhibits, and important conversations. Be a part of the future of transportation and help drive the next big change.
About the summit
FITI 2025 S.T.E.P. Summit
Welcome to the FITI 2025 S.T.E.P. Summit! This international event is designed to bring together leaders from the transportation energy sector and sustainable mobility advocates worldwide. The summit will focus on driving innovation in sustainable transportation through advancements in alternative fuels like hydrogen, biofuels, and electrification.
Committee Members
Dedicated Leaders in
Transportation Industry
Dr. Aly Tawfik
Dr. Aly M. Tawfik is an Associate Professor of Transportation Systems Engineering and Founding Director of the Transportation Institute at California State University, Fresno. His area of expertise includes travel data and modeling, simulation, and optimization of individual travel behavior and transportation systems, where he has a particular passion for transportation sustainability and the future of transportation. Dr. Tawfik serves on local,national, and international transportation boards and committees. He is the author of many peer-reviewed publications, and has given keynote presentations at local, national and international venues
Nick Yovino
Nick is a private land use planning and development entitlement consultant.His company, INFILL 360, is located in Fresno, California, and serves the greater Fresno Metropolitan Area. Nick became involved in the City of Fresno Sister City Program at thirteen, spending several weeks in Munster, Germany,as an exchange student. Several years ago, due to his professional working relationship with the City of Fresno and his continued interest in international relations, Nick became interested in the Sister City Program again. For several years, Nick has proactively and progressively been involved in coordinating trips and exchanges and improving relations between Fresno and Munster.
Tony Molina
“Fresno’s first ever P.E.D.A.L. Summit is an exciting opportunity to highlight the transformative power of biking and walking for our local communities. [I’m] grateful to the Fresno State Transportation Institute, the Sister Cities’urban diplomacy initiative, and the cities of Fresno and Münster for providing this forum to discuss ways that bicycling can promote a healthier, more economically vibrant, and sustainable urban mobility future for Fresno and the region.” - Tony Molina2023
Laura Gromis
Laura Gromis is a dedicated leader and sustainability advocate, currently serving as the Chair of the Active Transportation Advisory Committee for the City of Fresno, CA, and as the Executive Director of the US Green Building Council Central California. With a career spanning over a decade in the San Joaquin Valley, Laura's work is focused on community outreach, education, advocacy, project management, and development. Her experience spans projects in the field of green building design and maintenance, active transportation, energy and climate-appropriate landscaping. She brings together various partners to drive improvements and create exposure for green practices, demonstrating her commitment to a collaborative and holistic approach.
Elke Wirtz
Elke Wirtz serves the City of Münster as International Relations Manager,focusing on cross-border collaboration and partnerships, as well as multicultural project management and funding acquisition. Having worked and lived in the USA for over ten years, Elke primarily supports all transatlantic relationships, including the long-standing sister city partnership with Fresno(CA) and climate partnership with Rochester (MN). As part of her international networking, Elke also liaises with various community stakeholders, including universities, public authorities, and the Chamber of Commerce. She is committed to fostering urban diplomacy exchange on all levels and is critical in initiating an economic alliance between Münster and Fresno. Elke holds a double degree in International Business from FH Landshut (GER) and Anglia University Cambridge (UK). She is married and has three children, and she lives in Münster
Rebecca Kaaz
Rebecca Tanaka Kaaz, whose professional background includes several years in retail information technology, provides administrative support for the Institute
Brigit Wildt
Birgit’s expertise is based on a degree in geography and complementary study in energy and environmental management. During her 25 years with the city, she has established the Coordination Office for Climate and Energy as a firm pillar of climate protection in the city. She believes that the city ́s transition to climate neutrality is possible based on sustainable city development, including mobility concepts. Her primary focus lies on on energy saving & efficiency, renewable energy, and active involvement of the citizens in respect to adapting lifestyle habits.
Our Past Speakers
Speakers who are Experts
in their Fields
Ismail Zhody
Dr. Ismail Zohdy, a distinguished smart mobility expert, holds an impressive portfolio showcasing over fifteen years of experience, spanning the USA, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, in pioneering Intelligent Transportation Systems, Shared Mobility, Future Mobility modeling, Autonomous, and Connected Vehicles technology.
Currently, Dr. Zohdy serves as an Agile Coach and the Program Manager of Self-Driving Transport strategy at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA),Government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he oversees and manages the technical implementation of a smart mobility roadmap. His previous roles have seen him supporting numerous US federal clients, including the Federal Highway Administration, the US Department of Transportation, and the Advanced Research Projects Program for the US Department of Energy.Program Manager, Innovation and Self-driving Transport Strategy- Dubai Roads and Transport Authority
Program Manager
Gil Peñalosa
Gil (Guillermo) Pefialosa is passionate about cities for all people. Because of his unique blend of experience, pragmatism, and passion, many cities worldwide seek his leadership and valuable advice. He has worked in over 350 cities. Gil is the Founder and Chair of the successful Canadian non-profit organization 8 80 Cities and founder of Cities for Everyone.
In 2022, Gil ran for mayor of Toronto. In 100 days, he got 100,000 votes and changed the conversation. He is an academic chair at the Norman Foster Institute for Sustainable Cities. Gil was elected twice as chair of World Urban Parks. He holds an MBA from UCLA's Anderson School of Management and received a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the Faculty of Urban Planning at Swedish SLU. In 2023, Gil was selected by Identity Review in 15 Thought Leaders in Sustainable City Development and voted to Planetizen's Top 100 Most Influential Contemporary Urbanists at #13
Founder and Chair
Daniel Sperling
Dr. Sperling is a Distinguished Blue Planet Prize Professor of Engineering and Environmental Science and Policy and founding Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis. He held the transportation seat on the California Air Resources Board for 16 years and served as Chair of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies in 2015-16.
He was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2022 and won the 2018 Roy Crum Award from TRB, its highest research award, and the 2013 Blue Planet Prize from the Asahi Glass Foundation Prize for being “a pioneer in opening up new fields of study to create more efficient,low-carbon, and environmentally beneficial transportation systems.” He served twice as lead author for the IPCC (sharing the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize) and has authored or co-authored over250 technical papers and 13 books, including Three Revolutions: Steering Automated, Shared,and Electric Vehicles to a Better Future (Island Press, 2018), is widely cited in leading newspapers, been interviewed many times on NPR radio, including Science Friday, Talk of the Nation, Marketplace, and Fresh Air.
Founding Director
Get the latest info about
Hydrogen, Biofuels
& Electrification in Transportation
Explore the forefront of transportation energy with experts and leaders driving innovations in hydrogen, biofuels, and electrification. This event isn’t just a conference but a hub for learning about the latest sustainable transportation technologies and solutions.
7 March
2025
S.T.E.P
Summit
S- Sustainable
T- Transportation
E- Energy
P- Progress
500+
Number of Attendees
25+
Sponsorships
50+
Speakers Engagement
Valdez Hall
Venue Details
Venue
Valdez Hall
Address
Valdez Hall, 702 M St, Fresno, CA 93721
Parking Lot
675 O St, Fresno, CA 93760
Sponsorship
Past
Sponsors
Investing in the 2025 S.T.E.P. Summit showcases your company's commitment to the future of transportation energy in the San Joaquin Valley and beyond. This event unites businesses and individuals dedicated to sustainable energy solutions, offering a stage to share successes and challenges while gaining high-profile, international recognition.
