Melody Pierce
Aug 19, 2026
Transportation, mobility, family advocacy and rehabilitation leaders bring diverse expertise to advance Feonix’s mission of expanding transportation access
LINCOLN, Neb. — August 13, 2026 — Feonix – Mobility Rising, the nonprofit organization behind the Catch a Ride Network, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristin White, Kelly Stumpe and Dr. Mary-Anne M. Joseph to its Board of Directors.
The three new board members bring diverse expertise in transportation, public policy, family mobility, rehabilitation and community engagement. Together, their perspectives will help guide Feonix and the Catch a Ride Network, as the organization continues expanding solutions that connect people to healthcare, employment, food, education and other essential opportunities.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kristin, Kelly and Mary-Anne to our Board of Directors,” said Charnelle Hicks, Board President for Feonix – Mobility Rising. “Each brings a unique perspective to our work and a shared understanding that transportation is about much more than getting from one place to another. It is about giving people access to the opportunities, services and connections they need to thrive. Their experience and leadership will be invaluable as we continue growing Feonix and the Catch a Ride Network and working alongside communities to address transportation insecurity.”
Kristin White
Transportation Industry Executive and Head of Strategy and Partnerships, Google Public Sector
Kristin White is a nationally recognized transportation leader whose career spans government, technology, nonprofit leadership and public policy. She currently serves as Transportation Industry Executive and Head of Strategy and Partnerships for Google Public Sector, helping bridge emerging technology and innovation with the needs of public agencies and communities.
White previously served as acting administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, becoming the youngest person to hold the role. Her career also includes leadership positions with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and ITS America, where she served as chief operating officer. Across her career, she has helped oversee significant transportation investments and advance initiatives focused on innovation, safety and mobility.
An attorney and former Fulbright Fellow, White is also a mentor, startup advisor and advocate for women in transportation. Her experience connecting technology, policy and human-centered transportation solutions will support Feonix’s efforts to develop innovative approaches to mobility access.
Kelly Stumpe
Kelly Stumpe is an automotive expert, entrepreneur and family mobility advocate best known as The Car Mom, with a social media following of over 840,000. A mother of four and certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, Stumpe has built a nationally recognized platform helping families make informed decisions about vehicles, safety and transportation.
Since launching The Car Mom YouTube channel in 2020, Stumpe has developed an engaged national audience through approachable, family-focused vehicle reviews that examine the features that matter most in everyday life, from car seat configurations and passenger space to storage and functionality.
She also co-hosts The Carpool Podcast with her sister, Lizz, and has cultivated a strong community around the realities of transportation and family life. Stumpe brings to the Feonix board a valuable consumer and family perspective, along with extensive experience in digital engagement, storytelling and community building.
Dr. Mary-Anne M. Joseph
Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Studies, Alabama State University
Dr. Mary-Anne M. Joseph is an associate professor of Rehabilitation Studies at Alabama State University and a Licensed Professional Counselor with expertise in rehabilitation counseling, counselor education and supporting individuals in accessing opportunities for greater independence and quality of life.
Joseph holds a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision. Prior to her work in higher education, she served as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, giving her firsthand experience with the barriers individuals can face when accessing employment, healthcare and community resources.
Her background in rehabilitation, counseling and education brings an important perspective to Feonix’s work addressing transportation as a critical component of independence, accessibility and community participation.
The addition of White, Stumpe and Joseph strengthens Feonix’s Board of Directors with perspectives from across the transportation ecosystem — from national transportation policy and technology to family mobility, accessibility and rehabilitation.
“As we look toward the next three years, we are focused on building the right team of leaders to help Feonix scale nationally and internationally,” said Valerie Lefler, founder and executive director of Feonix – Mobility Rising. “Our vision is to grow from helping hundreds of people each day to reaching tens of thousands of families. Kristin, Kelly and Mary-Anne bring the leadership, expertise and perspective we need to turn that vision into reality while ensuring our growth remains rooted in the needs of the communities we serve.”
Through the Catch a Ride Network, Feonix works with communities and partners to develop transportation solutions designed around local needs, helping ensure that a lack of reliable transportation does not prevent individuals from reaching healthcare, work, food and opportunity.
About Feonix – Mobility Rising
Feonix – Mobility Rising is a nonprofit organization dedicated to solving transportation challenges and expanding mobility access for individuals and communities. Through its Catch a Ride Network, Feonix works alongside community organizations, healthcare providers, government agencies, transportation partners, volunteers and funders to connect people with reliable transportation to healthcare, employment, food and other essential destinations.