Former New York City CTO to lead on air quality

14 September 2024

by Jonathan Andrews

Alby Bocanegra has taken up a new position with air quality informatics company, Ecosystem Informatics Inc. (ESI).

Bocanegra, as Head of Government Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, will build relationships with cities and municipalities to leverage ESI’s technology – including AI, real-time data monitoring, and predictive analytics.

“I’ve always been driven by the desire to use technology and data to improve people’s lives, and air quality is one of the most critical issues affecting urban environments today,” the former Chief Technology Officer of NYC, told Cities Today. “Having worked with ESI for about a year and a half as an advisor, I’ve seen first-hand the impact that accurate and actionable insights can have on public health and sustainability. When the opportunity arose to take on a larger role, leading government engagement and strategic partnerships, I knew it was a chance to make a meaningful global impact.”

As CTO of New York City, he led initiatives to improve the city’s infrastructure and services by breaking them down with data, and applying innovative technologies and approaches to create practical solutions.

“That experience taught me the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, communities, and civil society to achieve real impact,” he said. “My team was able to accomplish so much because of our collaborative approach and scrappiness. We worked across agencies, across state lines, and across the world learning from and sharing with city leaders, academics, civil society, and industry experts to bring the best-in-class solutions and practices for NYC residents.”

After leaving his role as CTO, Bocanegra became VP of Global City Partnerships at Mastercard where he helped build and scale the City Possible network to over 350 global cities.

“I worked closely with city leaders to address urban challenges, which required not only technological solutions but also policy, infrastructure, and financial considerations,” he added. “I’ll be bringing that holistic approach to ESI, ensuring we don’t just deliver technology but also the partnerships and frameworks cities need to succeed in improving air quality.”

Dr Shirook Ali, CEO of ESI said: “Alby’s experience in leveraging technology for the greater good makes him a perfect fit for ESI. His unique understanding of the intersection between technology and public policy will be invaluable as we continue to expand our work with governments and global organisations to address air quality challenges.”

Bocanegra will primarily be based out of Texas, with frequent visits to the ESI offices in Canada, and travelling globally.

Image: ESI/Bocanegra

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