Aarti Mehtha's Leadership in Promoting Clean Transportation for Low-Income Communities in New York

Aarti's work builds trust, addresses inequality issues, and fosters collaboration between residents and decision-makers. In New York, her community engagement leadership led to a significant grant for a clean transportation initiative. Dollaride is such a project where she leads community engagement efforts. Dollaride is a mobile company aimed at improving transportation access for marginalized communities in New York while reducing carbon emissions.

In November 2022, she led community engagement for Dollaride, which resulted in a $10 million grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). This funding supports the implementation of the Clean Transportation Access Program (CTAP) in Brooklyn and Queens, providing access to electric vehicles, charging stations, training, and licensing.

As part of this process, Aarti held meetings with residents and spoke at Community Boards (CB) in Brooklyn to raise awareness about the project and gather local feedback on Dollaride's Clean Transportation Access Program. This led to meeting expectations and reducing communication gaps between the community and project goals. These meetings also helped overcome community distrust and resistance to change.

During this process, some of the main challenges she faced were misunderstandings and disagreements within communities. She addressed these issues by engaging in open dialogues, ensuring transparency, actively listening, and providing communities with information about the project's impact on their neighborhoods.

"Immersing myself in residents' stories and experiences was key to building authentic connections. At Perch Advisors, I guide and represent community voices in discussions, amplifying collective strength," she explains. Continuing to push the boundaries of clean transportation, Aarti Mehtha's story and achievements offer valuable insights for others in this field. Combining innovation with empathy and strategic thinking, she sets a high standard for what it means to be a leader in creating a sustainable and inclusive transportation system. Her journey inspires not only urban planners but also all of us to reflect on how we can contribute to improving low-income communities.