Boston's Mayor Michelle Wu tapped two new faces to lead the charge in her office's innovative wing, Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM), a hub known for its progressive initiatives to tackle city governance and civic challenges. Urban planning heavyweight Shin-pei Tsay steps in as the new director, with former Boston Public Schools teacher and civic innovator Marcy Ostberg snagging the deputy director seat. The pair slid into their new roles earlier this month, the city's official site reported.
MONUM isn't your average bureaucratic outfit; it's a think tank that catalyzed changes from Boston’s 311 app to truck guards improving road safety. These aren't just pie-in-the-sky ideas; they're tangible reforms touching sustainability, transportation, and housing. Wu, seeing something in Tsay and Ostberg, gushed about their urban faring skills and intimate dance with civic life at City Hall, as reported by the city's announcement.
Tsay is no stranger to big ideas, having jetted through an impressive career from Uber’s global policy director for cities to forming Make Public, a firm targeting social impact. Tsay, having been celebrated for her sustainability initiatives, said she was "honored to be joining the talented staff in Mayor Wu’s administration to execute on her vision," per the city's official announcement. With a resume that reads like a love letter to urban innovation, she's been a mover in organizations from Transportation Alternatives to the Gehl Institute, as well as holding educational positions at Ivy League schools.
As for Ostberg, she swings back to MONUM after spending her time in the housing trenches and even the classroom, peddling innovative zoning for ADUs and tackling the city’s housing issues head-on. "The opportunity to return to MONUM as Deputy Director is incredibly exciting. Having been part of this dynamic team before, I understand the power of its innovative approach to civic challenges." Ostberg, who believes in the transformative power of collaboration across the community and government sectors, expressed her enthusiasm in an announcement by the city.
The move has drawn cheers from the city's tech corridors, with Michael Lawrence Evans, the city’s Director of Emerging Technology and former interim lead of MONUM, tipping his hat to the new appointees. He pitched the duo's nationally-recognized know-how and deep grasp of local issues as a boon for Bostonians. With Tsay and Ostberg at the helm, Evans anticipates Boston will keep its status as a high-flyer in government service delivery.
