5th Square is led by an all-volunteer steering committee. You can reach the steering committee at [email protected].
Cameron Adamez
Cameron (they/them) is a transit advocate that has lived around the US and now calls Philadelphia their home. Their goal is to make getting around town easy for everyone. Their claims to fame are helping to open a co-op grocery store and working in the open source hardware community. They live in South Philly with their partner and a growing nail polish collection.
Aaron Bauman
Aaron is a technologist and dad who has lived car-free in South Philadelphia for 15 years. When he’s not at a computer screen creating maps or twitter bots, Aaron can be found on the ultimate frisbee field.
Steph Davis
Steph is interested in finding political champions for a human centered Philadelphia. They are a committee person in the 39th Ward, 10th division, and work as a fundraising professional for a small non-profit in Center City that makes a big impact throughout the Commonwealth. Between canvassing shifts, organizing meetings and volunteer work, they can be found in the studio making three dimensional objects or bouldering at the rock gym.
Dena Ferrara Driscoll
Dena has been a volunteer with 5th Square since 2014. Over the past fifteen years in her career has worked to strengthen access to public goods. She believes in well-funded public: education, housing, spaces, parks, services, and history. She has previously worked at such nonprofits as Neighborhood Bike Works, Smith Memorial Playground, School District of Philadelphia, and Bartram's Garden which have given her a unique perspective of how public goods are essential to a thriving city. Currently, she is the Director of Development and Communications for the Public Interest Law Center. She holds an M.A. in Museum Education from the University of the Arts and a B.A. in History from La Salle University.
Fae Ehsan
Fae Ehsan is a fundraising professional, block captain, abortion activist, and mom who lives in West Philadelphia. After moving to Philly in 2015, she became interested in safe streets and bettering public transportation and found her way to 5th Square in 2020. When she's not tweeting, you can find her running, riding the 34 trolley, or at one of Philadelphia's many playgrounds.
Jon Geeting
Jon is a co-founder of 5th Square and has been a volunteer with the organization since 2014. He is a former journalist and editor at PlanPhilly, and freelance journalist for multiple publications including the proto-5th Square urbanist blog This Old City that popularized the ‘sneckdown’ phenomenon. Jon currently works for Philadelphia 3.0, a political action committee focused on Philadelphia City Council elections, and is a contributor at The Philadelphia Citizen. His volunteer work with 5th Square involves representing 5th Square on the Transit Forward Philadelphia coalition’s executive committee, and other strategic partnerships and coalitions. Jon is most proud of his work on behalf of 5th Square’s successful issue advocacy campaigns for free transfers, SEPTA’s institutional pass program, free rides for kids under 12, and Philly Free Streets, the city’s open streets program. Currently serving as the President of Fishtown Neighbors Association, Jon is passionate about neighborhood community-building, and has been a connector and organizer of people serving in neighborhood leadership roles across the city like Registered Community Organizations and ward organizations. He is a Fishtown resident and father of two.
James Gitto
James is the President of West Passyunk Neighbors, an RCO in South Philadelphia. He is also a small business owner with a passion for pedestrian & cyclist focused infrastructure. When not in one of his many community meetings he can be found on his bike or with his dog at a local dog park.
Chi-Hyun Kim
Chi-Hyun finds his home in Queen Village, after many years in Spruce Hill, West Philadelphia. As an immigrant, he is passionate about Philadelphia as a place of refuge, opportunity, and community. He is especially interested in housing as a foundation for a healthy, just, and equitable city.
Kara Kneidl
Kara moved to Philadelphia in 2014 with her dog, Oscar. It didn’t take long before they both fell in love with this city and her people. She now lives car-free in South Philadelphia and spends her spare time planting and caring for Philadelphia’s street trees, and advocating for safe and accessible transportation of all modes.
Russell Richie
Russell (he/him) is a scientist, educator, and activist who has lived in Southeastern Pennsylvania most of his life. After moving to Center City Philadelphia in 2017, he was amazed by the freedom and amenities enabled by dense, walkable, and bikeable neighborhoods, and wants to make these accessible to all Philadelphians, regardless of their race, gender, age, income, or disability. When not looking at screens, he loves to walk or ride his e-bike with his girlfriend.
Will Tung
Will is an advocate and volunteer organizer for better transit, safer streets, and improved public spaces with 5th Square. He enjoys volunteering at his local rec center, organizing community clean-ups, rescuing stray cats, and riding with his daughter on their cargo bike. As a regular SEPTA trolley commuter, he believes that everyone in Philadelphia deserves access to high-quality public transportation and safe streets no matter what neighborhood they live in. Will lives in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Southwest Philly.