EIT Urban Mobility Emerging Leaders

EIT Urban Mobility Emerging Leaders

Developing the next generation of urban mobility leaders – across public and private sectors in Europe and the UK

Join the 2026 EIT Urban Mobility Emerging Leaders program

A six-month, experiential leadership development initiative delivered by RMIT Europe in collaboration with EIT Urban Mobility. Designed for mid-career professionals working across public and private sectors, the program equips participants with the leadership and strategic skills needed to shape the future of urban mobility in Europe and the UK – with the next cohort launching in May 2026 in Barcelona. 

Participants who register by 28 February 2026 are eligible for an early admission fee. Read more below.

Join the 2026 cohort
Download the brochure
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Lead change in urban mobility

The EIT Urban Mobility Emerging Leaders program supports rising urban mobility professionals through peer-led learning that bridges public and private sector perspectives. Designed to address the growing need for collaboration across sectors, the program builds the leadership capability required to drive meaningful change in complex urban mobility systems. 

Whether you work in government, industry, consulting, infrastructure, technology or alongside cities, Emerging Leaders provides the strategic perspective, leadership confidence and cross-sector network needed to tackle real-world urban mobility challenges. 

Delivered in small cohorts of 8-10 participants, the program creates a trusted environment for teamwork, experimentation and knowledge exchange, alongside opportunities for personal leadership development supported by executive one-on-one coaching.

Why Emerging Leaders?

Emerging Leaders is a highly personalised, practice-based program delivered through a blended learning format, with a strong focus on leadership, systems thinking and cross-sector collaboration. 

Small, intimate cohorts foster peer-led learning, hands-on problem-solving and unscripted conversations with senior urban mobility leaders.

Participants will:

  • Build the confidence and capability to lead in complex urban environments
  • Learn alongside peers from both public and private organisations, gaining insight into how different sectors think, operate and make decisions
  • Strengthen their ability to shape strategy, influence stakeholders and drive change within multi-actor urban mobility ecosystems 
  • Deepen self-awareness, resilience and authentic leadership presence through executive coaching 
  • Build strong professional networks that connect participants and the organisations they represent
Register here

Bridging public and private impact

Urban mobility challenges cannot be solved by one perspective alone. 

Emerging Leaders intentionally connects participants from both public and private sectors to:

  • Build mutual understanding between city and industry
  • Develop shared leadership language and tools
  • Strengthen collaboration across the urban mobility ecosystem
  • Form long-term professional relationships that extend beyond the program

The program runs parallel six-month public and private sector editions, while blending selected elements across them. This structure allows participants to engage in candid, context-specific cohort discussions alongside structured cross-sector exchange.

Unlock your potential

Emerging Leaders connects professionals from cities, public authorities, private companies and cross-sector organisations to build the leadership capability required to navigate complexity, collaborate across institutional boundaries and deliver sustainable urban mobility solutions.

The 2026 edition offers 40 hours of tailored professional development, combining immersive in-person experiences with interactive online learning and personal coaching sessions to maximise growth and real-world application.

The program thrives on active participation and commitment from both individuals and their organisations, fostering a continuous cycle of learning, collaboration and impact across urban mobility and sustainable mobility sectors.

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Learning pillars

The 2026 program combines cohort-based learning, individual reflection and structured cross-sector exchange. Its learning pillars are designed to reinforce each other, creating a continuous process of development and impact over six months. 

Participants from private and public sectors come together through three facilitated cross-sector exchanges and a shared digital platform to build trust, collaboration and a common leadership language. 

The Learning Circle

Participants draw on each other’s experiences and insights to explore future leadership challenges and strengthen their ability to respond to complexity. Each learning circle is bespoke, with its content shaped by the cohort’s context and priorities. Learning Circles run separately for public and private sector cohorts.

Coaching

Many future leaders may never have experienced the benefit of focused coaching. Participants take part in short, time-optimised series of executive coaching sessions to reflect on their leadership goals, challenges and aspirations.

The Conversation

Leadership is a craft developed through experience and reflection. Participants engage in unscripted, closed-door conversations with senior leaders to explore real leadership journeys and decision-making approaches. These sessions remain cohort-specific to support open, context-aware dialogue.

The Conference

Participants jointly design and deliver a bespoke conference, bringing together peers, city representatives and invited guests. The conference explores leadership challenges for the workforce of the future, including navigating change, cultivating trust, driving impact and creating shared value.

The Community

After completing the program, participants join an alumni community of practice to maintain ongoing collaboration and connection. Cross-cohort exchanges are crucial to building the relationships and shared understanding needed for long-term transformation in urban mobility.

Are you the next emerging leader?

Emerging Leaders is designed for mid-career professionals ready to step into broader leadership roles and influence change within their organisations and cities. 

The program is ideal if you:

  • Work in urban mobility, transport, infrastructure, planning, sustainability, innovation, urban development or strategy
  • Operate within or alongside cities and public systems
  • Want to strengthen your leadership impact, not just technical expertise 

Participants may come from:

  • Public sector organisations including city councils, transport authorities, public transport organisations, public-private innovation hubs and urban planning departments
  • Private sector organisations such as mobility providers, urban developers, consultancies, technology firms, infrastructure, energy or real estate agencies.
  • Organisations working closely with cities and urban mobility ecosystems 

Registration process

Step 1: Registration

Submit your registration by 1 May 2026. The program team will review submissions and notify selected participants.

Step 2: Nomination

Once selected, candidates must seek nomination from a senior leader within their organisation. Nominators must complete the nomination form. 

Step 3: Enrolment

Once the nomination is confirmed, participants complete payment to officially enrol in the program.

Begin your registration here

Program pricing

  • Public sector: €1500 per participant
  • Private sector: €3000 per participant

The fee includes the in-person launch event, conference access, online personal coaching sessions and access to virtual learning environments. Any associated travel costs will be covered by the participating organisation.

Early admission - June 2026 intake

Participants who register by 28 February 2026 are eligible for an early admission fee:

  • Public sector: €1000 per participant
  • Private sector: €2500 per participant

Additional financial support may be available for selected association members across Barcelona. Please contact emerging.leaders@rmit.edu.au or complete the contact form below for further information.

Meet Emerging Leaders alumni

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Ben Kennedy, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Ben Kennedy is part of the third cohort of Emerging Leaders, nominated by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. He is the Head of Transport and Environment in the Place Department and manages four teams covering air quality, ecology and landscape, transport strategy and active travel.

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Núria Pérez Sans, City of Barcelona

Meet Núria Pérez Sans, an Emerging Leader nominated by the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, who is Head of the Mobility Department and develops applied research in urban studies.

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Gustavo Reyes Rodríguez, City of Helmond

Meet Gustavo Reyes Rodríguez, Urban Innovation Project Manager at the Municipality of Helmond in the Netherlands and a participant in the third cohort of the Emerging Leaders program. He plays a central role in shaping how Helmond adapts to growth while maintaining a high quality of life for its residents.

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Ingela Janbjer, City of Borlänge

Meet Ingela Janbjer, Section Manager at the Swedish Transport Agency and a participant in the Emerging Leaders program, cohort 3. Her department's work spans across regulatory development and government assignments, both nationally and internationally.

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Jack Lehane, City of Dublin

Meet Jack Lehane, Smart D8 Ecosystem Manager and a participant of the Emerging Leaders program, cohort 3. A key focus of Jack's work is supporting sustainable mobility and active travel as a driver of healthier urban living.

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Hinesh Mehta, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Hinesh Mehta is part of the second cohort of Emerging Leaders, nominated by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. He leads the council’s climate strategy and sustainable transport initiatives to help achieve net zero emissions by 2030.

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Olev Parts, City of Tallinn

Olev Parts, a member of the second cohort of the Emerging Leaders program, is a transport policy expert leading Tallinn’s Public Transport Operations and Infrastructure Unit. From managing daily services to driving long-term mobility strategies, Olev is at the forefront of transforming urban transport in Estonia’s capital.

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Jack Kavanagh, City of Dublin

Meet Jack Kavanagh, Open Data Lead for Smart Dublin and a participant of the Emerging Leaders program, cohort 2. His work spans mobility planning, digital twin development and leadership.

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Leire Balzategui, City of Vitoria-Gasteiz

Meet Leire Balzategui, an Emerging Leader nominated by Vitoria Mobility Lab, who is leading innovative projects in transport modelling and mobility planning.

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Nuria Blanco Caballero, City of Las Rozas

Meet Nuria Blanco Caballero, a participant in the second cohort of the Emerging Leaders program, who is shaping the future of mobility in Las Rozas through people-centred, impact-driven projects.

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Áron Halász, City of Budapest

Meet Áron Halász, a participant in the second cohort of the Emerging Leaders program, whose innovative work enhances sustainable mobility in Budapest.

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Julia Azpiroz de Achával, Barcelona

“Urban mobility is key to reducing social and territorial inequalities”

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Péter Dalos, Budapest

“We started with the seeds; now we have a jungle”

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Lianne Cassar, Malta

“It’s my dream to replicate this program on local levels”

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Jordi Marfà Vives, Barcelona

“It’s important to develop the skills to listen, understand and negotiate”

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Silvia Demetri, Milan

“In urban mobility, we have to practise what we preach”

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Sayalee Pendharkar, Munich

"I want to actively contribute to discussions with policymakers on mobility transformation"

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Kate Riggs, Croydon

“I think urban mobility is still a work in progress with everyone learning from each other all the time"

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Ready to lead?

Be a part of the next cohort of emerging leaders and join our community of innovators shaping tomorrow's cities.

For any queries, please get in touch emerging.leaders@rmit.edu.au

Nominate today

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