Polly Trottenberg

Polly Trottenberg is an American transportation official and policy advisor who served as the Deputy Secretary of Transportation in the Biden administration from 2021 to 2024. She previously served as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation under Mayor Bill de Blasio from 2014 to 2019. With a career spanning federal, state, and municipal roles, Trottenberg is recognized as a leading expert in urban planning, public transit, and infrastructure policy.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, Trottenberg attended Barnard College, the women's liberal arts college of Columbia University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She subsequently pursued a Master of Science in transportation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a program renowned for its focus on civil engineering and systems analysis. Trottenberg later returned to Columbia University to complete a Master of Public Administration from the School of International and Public Affairs, further grounding her expertise in public policy and administration.

Career

Trottenberg began her career in the public sector in Washington, D.C., holding several key positions in the United States Senate. She served as a senior aide to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, focusing on issues related to the United States Department of the Treasury and surface transportation policy. Following this, she worked for Senator Charles Schumer, advising on appropriations and budget matters for the Committee on the Budget. Her federal experience expanded with roles at the United States Department of Transportation, where she worked under Secretary Ray LaHood in the Obama administration as the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, overseeing initiatives like the TIGER grant program.

New York City Department of Transportation

Appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in January 2014, Trottenberg led the New York City Department of Transportation as Commissioner for nearly six years. Her tenure was marked by a strong emphasis on Vision Zero, the multi-national road safety project aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities. She oversaw the significant expansion of the Citi Bike bicycle-sharing system and the creation of hundreds of miles of protected bike lanes across the boroughs of New York City. Major capital projects under her leadership included the redesign of Times Square into a pedestrian plaza and the implementation of Select Bus Service routes to improve bus rapid transit. She also played a central role in the city's response to crises like the 2017 New York City transit crisis and the L train shutdown.

Deputy Secretary of Transportation

In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Trottenberg to serve as the Deputy Secretary of Transportation, the second-highest position at the United States Department of Transportation. She was confirmed by the United States Senate and worked directly under Secretary Pete Buttigieg. In this role, she was instrumental in implementing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, managing its historic funding for rail, highway, and port projects. She also helped lead departmental efforts on supply chain resilience, aviation safety, and the promotion of electric vehicle infrastructure. Trottenberg announced her resignation from the position in March 2024, returning to the private sector.

Personal life

Trottenberg maintains a residence in Washington, D.C. and is married to David Kaufman, a former official at the United States Agency for International Development. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has served on advisory boards for institutions like the Eno Center for Transportation. Her professional recognitions include awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:American transportation officials Category:Barnard College alumni Category:Columbia University alumni Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni Category:New York City Department of Transportation commissioners Category:United States Deputy Secretaries of Transportation