Barbara McCann is a public policy and communications expert who has spent the last eleven years bringing transportation, land use, and active living issues into the public debate. In addition to the more recent work listed on the home page, she authored Measuring the Health Effects of Sprawl, the report explaining groundbreaking new scientific research linking the built environment to physical activity and health. The report brought widespread media attention to the issue of creating more walkable and bikeable communities.   She is a co-author of the Island Press Book, Sprawl Costs, and edited Chris Leinberger's book, The Option of Urbanism.

Ms. McCann coined the term Complete Streets and serves as Executive Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition, a national Coalition working for the adoption of Complete Streets policies at the federal, state, and local level.  She previously served as Director of Information and Research at Smart Growth America (SGA), a national land use policy organization based in Washington DC. Prior to working at SGA, Ms. McCann directed a high-profile campaign at the Surface Transportation Policy Project which used federal data to illuminate the impact of transportation policies on everyday life. Her work at STPP included the Mean Streets series on pedestrian safety and other reports from 1998 through 2002. The reports drew extensive attention for government officials, interest groups, and the media, including coverage on all national network evening news shows and stories in every major newspaper in the United States.

She worked at for 13 years as a writer and producer at Cable News Network, including senior positions on award-winning news programs and newsmagazines. She has served on the Board of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and the WalkScore Advisory Board. 

View Ms. McCann's resume here.  See also Recent Presentations.

Contact me at barbara@bmccann.net or 202-234-2745.