The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), an organization of more than 100 of North America’s largest cities and transit agencies, today announced the appointment of Carrie Santos as Interim Executive Director, providing experienced leadership and continuity as outgoing Executive Director Ryan Russo departs the organization next week.
Santos joins NACTO at a moment of significant momentum. Over the past two years, the organization expanded its membership, strengthened its national voice for cities, launched landmark new design guidance, and brought more than 1,000 transportation leaders and practitioners together at each of its most recent Designing Cities conferences.
A broad national search for NACTO’s next permanent Executive Director is underway. Santos will work closely with NACTO’s board, staff, members, and partners to sustain the organization’s progress during this time, ensuring a seamless transition.
“Carrie has exactly the combination of leadership, organizational skill, and steady hand NACTO needs while we complete our search for the organization’s next Executive Director,” said Janette Sadik-Khan, NACTO Chair.
“NACTO’s members and staff have built an extraordinary platform for the future of city streets, and Carrie will make sure we keep moving forward at full speed,” said Michael Carroll, NACTO President.
Santos is a strategic consultant and internationally recognized nonprofit executive with 25 years of experience leading complex, mission-driven organizations and networks. She served for five years as CEO of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, a global association of 17,000 entrepreneurs with 150 staff, 2,500 volunteers, and 220 local chapters across 60 countries.
Santos also held senior leadership positions at the American Red Cross, where she led international programs operating in more than 60 countries, and at the U.S. Department of State, where her work included humanitarian assistance, refugee policy, and international partnerships. More recently, her consulting work has focused on strategic planning and organizational alignment for nonprofit and international organizations.
“NACTO has made remarkable progress, strengthening an already exceptional network while giving cities the tools and collective voice they need to build safer, more sustainable streets,” said Carrie Santos. “My job during this transition is to keep that momentum going, support the talented staff and members who make NACTO what it is, and to ensure that the organization is positioned for even greater success.”
Russo, who became Executive Director in May 2024, concludes a two-year tenure marked by expanded membership, new design guidance, and a stronger national role for NACTO and its member cities. NACTO announced the leadership transition and national search for his successor in July.
For more information about NACTO, its board leadership, membership, and the executive director search, visit nacto.org.
About the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)
NACTO is an association of more than 100 North American cities and transit agencies that exchange transportation ideas, insights, and practices and cooperatively approach national transportation issues. The organization champions bold, people-first urban transportation by mobilizing a network of cities and transit agencies. See more at nacto.org.
Contact
Alex Engel | alex [at] nacto.org
Elise Harmon-Freeman | elise [at] nacto.org
For Immediate Release
September 10, 2026
