MTC-ABAG Community Advisory Council
History
Effective March 2026, the MTC Policy Advisory Council and the Association of Bay Area Government's (ABAG's) Regional Planning Committee have merged into the new MTC-ABAG Community Advisory Council.
About the Council
MTC and ABAG are committed to including the public in an open and transparent process of making housing and transportation decisions for the Bay Area. Made up of 27 residents with diverse perspectives, the Council advises MTC and ABAG on issues related to housing and land use, transportation and the environment.
The first Council meeting was held on March 6, 2026.
Who is on the Council?
See details of the MTC-ABAG Community Advisory Council Members. Council members come from all nine Bay Area counties. They represent communities of color, people with disabilities and residents of under-served communities. Council members also represent organizations in the following areas:
- Labor
- Business/Employers
- Environment
- Transit advocacy
- Youth
- Civic organizations focusing on community service, advocacy and/or social welfare
- Affordable housing
Council members will serve four-year terms.
Join the Council
Applications are currently closed. Email council@bayareametro.gov to be notified of future recruitment opportunities.
Staff Contact
MTC-ABAG Community Advisory Council Staff
Email: Council@bayareametro.gov
- Carina V. Lieu, Chair
- Diana Benitez, Vice Chair
- Victorina Arvelo
- Padma Balaji
- Michael Baldini
- Chuck Cantrell
- Amanda Chang
- Warren Cushman
- Ashton Desmangles
- Bryant Duong
- Julia Gerasimenko
- Dwayne Hankerson
- Wendi Kallins
- Charley Lavery
- Alexander Madrid
- R. Shay Miles
- Louis Mirante
- Karen Nemsick
- Gabriela Yamilet Orantes
- Peter Saathoff-Harshfield
- Marlene Salazar
- Joshua Saunders
- Tim Sbranti
- Sonja Shephard
- Gaetano Trachtenberg
- Janelle Wong
- Vacant