A new power list highlights key players shaping the future of New York’s transportation and mobility landscape, putting a spotlight on several Indian-American leaders. The 2026 Trailblazers in Transportation list, released by City & State, recognizes influential voices driving policy, infrastructure and advocacy across the state. These include three Indian-origin professionals whose work spans grassroots campaigns, legislative reform and large-scale engineering projects. Their inclusion reflects not only their individual influence but also the growing influence of the Indian diaspora in shaping one of the world’s most complex urban transportation systems.
Indian-American leaders shape New York’s transit powerhouse list
Bhairavi Desai: Advocate for taxi workers’ rights
Bhairavi Desai has long been an advocate for New York City taxi drivers. As co-founder and executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, she represents thousands of drivers and has fought for fair wages and working conditions for decades.Her advocacy has gained particular attention in recent years through efforts to address taxi license debt and provide stronger protections for drivers. In a major legislative victory, the New York City Council passed a bill that would prevent drivers from being suspended without due process, overriding Eric Adams’ veto. Desai also worked closely with Zoran Mamdani on labor issues, including high-profile protests and hunger strikes.
Jeremy Cooney: Developing transportation policy at the state level
Jeremy Cooney, R-Calcutta, plays a key role in shaping transportation policy as chairman of the state Senate Transportation Committee. His focus is on improving transportation systems, expanding infrastructure and supporting long-term transportation planning.His recent accomplishments include securing funding for high-speed rail research, advocating for an increase in public transportation budgets and pushing for expanded investment in road maintenance. Cooney has also introduced legislation to expand benefits for commuters, including support for bicycle and ride-hailing services, while becoming a staunch supporter of autonomous vehicle development.
Kovid Saxena: Promote big infrastructure projects
Kovid Saxena represents the engineering and infrastructure side of the list. As a senior executive at Arcadis, he was involved in multiple high-impact projects in the New York metropolitan area.His work includes work on the Second Avenue Subway (Phase II) and the Hudson River Tunnel, two projects critical to the region’s long-term transportation capacity. Saxena has also contributed to initiatives such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, major bridge upgrades and road safety improvements, highlighting his impact on current and future mobility systems.The addition of these leaders highlights the many ways Indian-American professionals are shaping New York’s transportation ecosystem. Their contributions span all levels of the system, from grassroots advocacy and policy development to engineering and infrastructure delivery.
