How do Bay Area employers address congestion? Urbanism? Mobility? Featured speaker Danielle Glaser, Bay Area Transportation Manager for LinkedIn, will highlight lessons learned that relate to the experience of growing West Michigan communities during her January 14 presentation in Grand Rapids. Sponsored by West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, the event takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at The Rapid Central Station, 300 Ellsworth Ave. SW in Grand Rapids.

Open to employers, municipalities, and anyone in West Michigan with concerns about the future of local transportation, the presentation will share how LinkedIn moves people and why addressing the daily commute helps employers impact employee attraction, retention and happiness.

Glaser describes herself as “an aspiring community designer, passionate about creating spaces for people in cities that integrate the natural world into the urban core.” She likes to focus her work on sustainable mobility and accessibility, community engagement, and environmental conservation. “I am excited to return back to the city that showed me the power of the bicycle and share insights from my role at LinkedIn and as a Bay Area resident,” Glaser says.

Before assuming her position as Bay Area Transportation Manager in October 2018, she served LinkedIn as its Employee Transportation Manager for two years. Prior to that, she worked as LEED Project Coordinator for Catalyst Partners in Mountain View, California and Grand Rapids. Glaser received her master’s degree in Urban Planning, specialization in Transportation Planning and Land Use, from San Jose State University; a City and Regional Planning Certificate from the University of California Berkeley; and her bachelor’s in Sustainable Community Development from Grand Valley State University.

Among other topics, Glaser will discuss The Blue Line, LinkedIn’s new network of bikeways for employees in Silicon Valley, last month honored among America’s Top 10 Best New Bikeways of 2018.

After Glaser’s presentation, The Rapid will introduce and provide updates on its programs for local employers. The event will conclude with an optional tour of The Rapid facilities.

Cost, including lunch, is $17 for members and $22 for nonmembers when registration is completed online. (Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available.) Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m. with program following.

West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum is a regional collaboration of business, government, non-profits and academia dedicated to promoting business practices that demonstrate environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and social responsibility.