Joél Ramos

photo: Marta Lindsey

After earning a B.A. in geography from San Francisco State University, Joél went right to work as an assistant planner for the Unity Council in East Oakland, before helping to build a coalition of labor, environmental and social justice groups to win a community benefits agreement in one of the largest transit-oriented development projects in California.

Joél is currently working with the Great Communities Collaborative on several TOD planning processes, and is helping to maximize community involvement and build awareness and support for Bus Rapid Transit in the East Bay. He has also been appointed to serve on the East Oakland Building Healthy Communities Steering Committee and the Alameda County Transportation Commission's Community Advisory Working Group.

In his spare time, Joél serves via mayoral appointment from San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee as a member of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, the City agency that oversees public transportation, traffic and parking in San Francisco. Joél received this appointment after serving on the Community Advisory Committee for the Geary Bus Rapid Transit project.

All of Joél's planning work is and has been deeply rooted in transportation and social justice principles. Joél's own family was transit dependent while he was growing up. His childhood memories and his professional experience working in diverse, low-income communities strongly reinforce his commitment to his work.