Molly Poppe

Molly Poppe joined the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in June 2019 as the Agency’s first Chief Innovation Officer.  At the CTA, her and her team manage the nation’s first account-based fare system, Ventra, and the bus farebox. These fare systems collect fares for over 4 million rides a week. She is responsible for leading the development and implementation of new technology and digital strategies focused on customer communication and engagement and partnering with third-party organizations to launch integrated digital products and services that will help reduce mobility friction for transit customers. She works closely with agency departments on identifying and achieving operational improvements and service efficiencies through technology investments, process improvements, and strategic policy changes.

Prior to joining the CTA, she spent over seven years working for Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the city of Chicago in various roles, including serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development where she led the city of Chicago’s Mobility Task Force and the creation of the Roadmap for the Future of Transportation and Mobility in Chicago.  Molly started her career on President Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.