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Rebekah has led solutions to complex urban development challenges throughout her career in both the public and private sectors. She joined Civic Consulting Alliance as President and CEO after years of contributing to the organization as a partner providing pro bono consulting services and as a client who used those services to improve regional transportation.

Under Rebekah's leadership, Civic Consulting Alliance (CCA) has secured record levels of pro bono support, delivering more than $100 million in pro bono services to regional government and civic leaders over the past six years. After becoming CCA’s President and CEO in March 2020, she helped mobilize $10.6 million in pro bono services within her first 15 weeks to support COVID-19 rapid-response efforts and guide leaders in developing equitable, sustainable recovery plans under the American Rescue Plan Act. In 2025, CCA marked its 40th anniversary by launching a new strategic plan that positions the organization as a cornerstone of the civic ecosystem and advances a more vibrant, equitable, and prosperous Chicago region for all. The plan also established a new Health focus area, which has accelerated partnerships with City, County, and State clients to respond to changes in federal policy and funding. Throughout, the plan reaffirms the values that have long defined Civic Consulting Alliance: bringing the right people together to get big things done for the Chicago region.

Prior to joining CCA, Rebekah served as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation, where she spearheaded many of the Emanuel Administration’s key transportation initiatives. Her achievements include overseeing the Vision Zero Chicago traffic safety plan, the Riverwalk, the 606, the Loop Link, the Union Station Transit Center, new CTA elevated stations at Washington-Wabash and Cermak Road, new pedestrian and bike bridges over Lake Shore Drive at 35th and 41st Streets, the planning process for transportation improvements needed for the Obama Presidential Center, and the citywide “smart” street lighting modernization.

Rebekah also served as the Chief Planning Officer and a Senior Vice President at the Chicago Transit Authority, where she led strategic planning for major capital projects, including the Red Purple Modernization and Red Line Extension, and the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit service improvements. Before that, she worked as an attorney at Mayer Brown, representing public- and private-sector clients on major infrastructure and transportation projects. Earlier, she worked in real estate development at East Lake Development Corp., specializing in affordable housing and public housing redevelopment.

Rebekah has a BA in Urban Studies from Brown University and both her JD and MBA from Northwestern University. She is on the Board of Directors of the Civic Federation and the Woodstock Institute, a member of the Economic Club and The Chicago Network, and a Leadership Greater Chicago Burnham Fellow and a CEO Perspectives Fellow. She lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago.