The board of directors of Bike Walk Savannah, formerly Savannah Bicycle Campaign, has selected Caila Brown to serve as its full-time executive director.
Brown previously served as board of directors chair and has been a board member since 2010. During her time as chair she oversaw the organization’s transition from Savannah Bicycle Campaign to Bike Walk Savannah, demonstrating a new, more inclusive vision for Savannah.
“Caila brings to the position deep institutional knowledge and a long history of service to Bike Walk Savannah, demonstrated leadership as a professional bicycle and pedestrian advocate, and a broad command of local, state, and national policy issues,” said Charisse Bennett, board secretary. “She is the ideal person to move the organization forward in its second decade and make our streets safer for people of all ages, abilities, and incomes.”
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead Bike Walk Savannah,” Brown said. “I’m eager to continue the work of John Bennett, the previous executive director, along with our talented board, dedicated volunteers and supportive community partners.”
Brown will be responsible for coordinating Bike Walk Savannah’s events, including Matt’s Moon River Cruise and the Moonlight Garden Ride. She will also oversee the operation of the organization’s New Standard Cycles Program, which provides dependable transportation to underserved individuals throughout Savannah and Chatham County, in addition to producing the BikeSAV Guide and working with City of Savannah staff and elected officials on policies and projects that affect people who bike and walk.
“I believe that residents and visitors of Savannah deserve to travel our beautiful city safely and with dignity, no matter their mode of transportation,” Brown said. “By making our streets safer for people who bike and walk we make them safer for all road users. Additionally, these improvements play a critical role in creating communities that are healthy, culturally vibrant and economically robust.”
Brown served as interim executive director following the departure of John Bennett, who served as executive director from 2013-2019. She began her full-time role with BWS on March 28.
Brown previously served as Complete Streets Program Manager for Georgia Bikes. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Brown can be reached directly at caila@bikewalksavannah.org.
COUNTING CRACKS in the sidewalk might sound like a euphemism for a boring and useless activity, along the lines of “watching paint dry,” but in Ardsley Park these days it’s a purposeful part of a serious initiative.