Meet the Team

James Rath

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

After years of working on local transportation and land use issues as an urban planner in both the public and private sectors, James founded Capital Streets alongside Kyle Hatch. Throughout his career, James has always been an advocate at heart, with a focus on improving streetscape design and access to public spaces. James prides himself in not only being someone who understands the nuances of policy and design, but also a dedicated user of active transportation modes and facilities. He became the Executive Director of Capital Streets in August of 2023 and lives in South Troy.
james@capitalstreets.org
Kyle Hatch

PLANNER

Co-founder of Capital Streets. Experienced Project Manager with a demonstrated history of working in nonprofit and research sectors. Skilled in Nonprofit Management, Community Engagement, Transportation Planning, Program Development, Research, and Grant Administration.

kyle@capitalstreets.org
Jackie Gonzales

PROJECT MANAGER

Jackie is a long-time advocate for a more livable, bikeable, and walkable Albany. She first moved to the beautiful city of Albany in 2010 and has always primarily traveled around the Capital Region on foot, bus, or bike. She has been on the board of Walkable Albany since 2019. Jackie has a PhD in environmental history and runs her own historical research consulting business. Her historical training informs how she thinks about our streetscapes, and how those of us living in them build movements.

jackie@capitalstreets.org
Casey Allen

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Casey is proudly born and raised in the Capital District. She has a decade of experience in communications and is the former Marketing Director of Mohawk Fine Papers. She joined the board of Capital Streets in April of 2024 and she became the Communications Manager of Capital Streets in August of 2024. Casey has lived in South Troy for nearly 10 years and can be spotted on bike trails and the streets of the Capital Region riding her e-bike (look for a pink helmet).

casey@capitalstreets.org
Giselle Lora

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Born and raised in Troy, NY, Giselle is an avid traveler and has had the opportunity to live in various countries and states with the US. After earning her B.A. in Anthropology and Latin American Studies from Macalester College in Minnesota, she dabbled in a variety of fields including healthcare consulting, youth work, graphic design, and teaching English in Spain!
In her free time, she enjoys painting, running along the various bike paths in the Capital Region, and having coffee with friends in downtown Troy. Giselle is excited to help build more walkable cities, and allow more space for neighbor to neighbor interactions.

giselle@capitalstreets.org
Kriti Sharma

URBAN DESIGN INTERN

From Littleton, MA. Fifth year architecture student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Climate activist in the Capital Region.

Kriti is interested in visualizing street design element, creating diagrams that simplify complex design concept and a architecture, landscape, and climate enthusiast!
Favorite place in Troy: Riverfront Park