FITI 2025 S.T.E.P. Summit

Rethinking Roads, Reimagining Mobility

Event Date

March 7, 2025

About the event

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. With expert keynote speakers, interactive exhibitions, facility tours, and specialized breakout sessions, the S.T.E.P. Summit aims to inspire collaboration, spark meaningful discussions, and foster transformative solutions that will shape the future of transportation.

Event Keynote Speakers

Meet Some Previous Event Keynote Speakers

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, and in 2009 was featured on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Founding Director

Meet the team

Summit Organization Committee

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.

Kacey Auston

Kacey opened Auston Consulting in 2005, serving diverse clients, including small and minority-owned businesses, non-profits, and large corporations,including Mid Valley Disposal, Producers Dairy, NextEra Energy, and the Realtors Association. Kacey is a consummate problem solver who works tirelessly to find common-sense solutions built on consensus that lifts up and gives back to the communities her clients serve.From nourishing lives, creating a sustainable future, and helping families thrive, Kacey insists that her clients’ values parallel hers as she works to carryout their missions

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.