Michael serves as the policy director for Missourians for Responsible Transportation. In that role, he leads the organization’s advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels while also providing technical assistance to MRT’s partner organizations and rural communities. Michael's interest in active transportation policy was sparked by a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia with his wife. They spent an entire week there and only used a car once – everywhere else, they walked or took public transportation. Shortly after that, Michael joined MRT partner organization BikeWalkKC as their policy coordinator. He worked his way up the ranks, before becoming policy director in 2021. Over the next four years, Michael led the organization’s efforts to advocate for policies, plans, and projects geared towards expanding transportation choice across the bi-state Kansas City region. That included efforts with MRT to help several Missouri communities adopt nationally-recognized Complete Streets policies. In addition to his work with MRT, Michael also serves as vice chair of the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance. He holds an associate’s degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College, a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from Kansas State University, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Rikki Ascani, Programs and Partnerships Director at MRT, serves as a vital bridge between the organization’s advocacy efforts and the voices of the community. Her work ensures that transportation advocacy is deeply informed by those who face the greatest barriers to mobility. Rikki’s passion for the transformative power of transportation was sparked during her time at Virginia Tech, where she first saw how buses could reshape and strengthen communities. Although she doesn’t come from a traditional transportation background, her career has always centered around people. From working as a fisheries biologist to engaging in grassroots activism and now community organizing, Rikki’s diverse experiences have equipped her with a unique perspective on the intersection of environment, community, and equity. In 2018, Rikki moved to Columbia, Missouri, to work for the Missouri Department of Conservation. Her growing interest in the ways physical spaces shape societal outcomes led her to pursue a master’s degree in Geography at the University of Missouri. Her studies focus on community geography, exploring how spatial injustices have contributed to broader societal inequities—particularly the role transportation systems have played in reinforcing those patterns. Rikki is passionate about creating inclusive, people-centered transportation solutions that promote equity, sustainability, and community well-being.
In 2018, Missourians for Responsible Transportation (MRT) was established by four Missouri organizations. They realized that although they’d been successful with advocacy work in their home cities and surrounding areas, by partnering together, they could help to better address Missouri’s transportation at a statewide level.
Local Motion works to build strong communities that are walkable, bikeable, accessible, and have thriving public transit systems.
BikeWalkKC's mission is to redefine our streets as places for people to build a culture of active living.
Ozark Greenways is working to preserve the Ozarks' natural heritage for public use and enjoyment by developing a greenway trail network, and promoting Springfield Public Works' growing on-street bike route network.
Trailnet works within the St. Louis region and across the state to respond to the demand for improved walking and biking networks that attract and retain talent, strengthen our economy, and connect people to the places they love.
Between our four partner organizations, we have approximately 40 staff with different specialties to help us work together to build a better transportation future for Missourians.
