Gil (Guillermo) Penalosa - Executive Director
Amanda O'Rourke - Director - Strategic Planning
Emily Munroe - Sr. Manager for Strategic Planning
Sydney Luong - Operations Manager
Jared Kolb – Project Manager
Lucy Barriga - Associate Ciclovias / CarFree Sundays
Liliana Ortiz - -Associate for Recreation and Events
 Gil (Guillermo) Penalosa - Executive Director
Internationally renowned liveable city advisor and social marketing strategist, Gil Penalosa is passionate about vibrant and healthy communities. Hoping to improve the quality of life for all residents, Gil promotes walking and cycling as well as the creation and use of great city parks and trails.
As Executive Director of Canadian non-profit organization 8-80 Cities and former Commissioner of Parks, Sports and Recreation in Bogota, Colombia, Gil’s tireless commitment to fostering healthy communities remains front and centre. He also works as Senior Consultant for the renowned Danish firm Gehl Architects. And he serves on the Boards of Directors of American Trails, Ciclovias of the Americas, and City Parks Alliance.
After many years of managerial experience in the private and public sector, Gil was appointed Commissioner of Parks, Sport and Recreation for the City of Bogotá, Colombia. In that position Gil successfully led the design and development of over 200 parks of which Simón Bolívar, a 360 hectare park is the best known; here they created the Summer Festival, with over 100 events in 10 days and more than 3 million people attending making it the main recreational and cultural event in the country. Gil’s team initiated the “new Ciclovia”—car-free Sundays— today an internationally recognized program which sees over 1.3 million people walk, run skate and bike along 121 kilometers of Bogotá’s city roads.
Because of his unique blend of pragmatism and passion, Gil’s leadership and advice has been sought out by many cities and organizations. A speaker in high demand, Gil has presented at over 150 workshops and seminars in North America and has been keynote speaker and provided consultation throughout the Americas, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Gil holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of California’s Anderson School of Management.
Email: info@8-80cities.org
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 Amanda O'Rourke, Director - Strategic Planning
Amanda is a graduate of Queen's University (Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology) and holds her Master of Science in Planning from the University of Toronto. Since completing her graduate studies Amanda has worked in the not-for-profit sector on various environmental planning projects in both Halifax and Toronto. Amanda's work has focused on improving the quality of life and sustainability in communities by advocating for enhanced public green spaces and increased walking and cycling infrastructure. Amanda lives in Toronto and cycles, walks and uses public transit to get around everyday.
Amanda is currently on maternity leave.
Email: aorourke@8-80cities.org
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Emily Munroe - Sr. Manager for Strategic Planning
Emily has always been interested in community development and healthy living. She received a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies from the University of McGill, and also holds a Graduate Certificate in International Project Management from Humber College. Emily has worked and travelled extensively internationally and has witnessed firsthand the positive difference appropriate design of public space can make to people and their communities. Emily lives in Toronto and enjoys being an active commuter, happily choosing to bike or walk to work whenever possible.
Email: emunroe@8-80cities.org
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Sydney Luong - Operations Manager
Sydney recently graduated from University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree and holds a diploma in Environmental Assessment and a Sustainable Local Economic Development specialization. She has developed the value for sustainable development and is passionate about making a positive impact for a healthier and sustainable future. Her work in various regions and international travel explorations has allowed her to experience and appreciate the benefits of being a part of liveable and integrated communities. Sydney has been involved with various local environmental organizations, innovative initiatives and is dedicated to maintaining an active and sustainable lifestyle in Toronto.
Email: sluong@8-80cities.org
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Jared Kolb – Project Manager
Jared holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Arts degree in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University. He helped found the Halifax Cycling Coalition, acted as Project Coordinator in creating Canada’s first College of Sustainability at Dalhousie University and coordinated the Toronto Cyclists Union’s first Bicycle Service Station. He has cycled across Canada and walked across Spain, raising more than $8000 for charities. Jared is a social entrepreneur with a passion for community development and believes that creating a more active and less car-reliant population will reinvigorate people, communities and economies across this country.
Email: jkolb@8-80cities.org
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Associates:
Lucy Barriga - Associate Ciclovias / CarFree Sundays
Lucy Barriga began her work for the City of Bogota at the invitation of Gil Penalosa, 8-80 Cities Executive Director, when he was Commissioner of Parks, Sports and Recreation. Together Gil and Lucy took Bogota's Ciclovia from 13 K to over 91 K, and increased participation in the Ciclovia, which is held every Sunday and holiday, from 100,000 to over 1.5 million participants. While working in Bogota Lucy developed meaningful partnerships between Ciclovia management, city officials, residents and local business owners. She also hired and trained the Ciclovia staff and developed Ciclovia's innovative operational systems. Now living in Mexico Lucy has led the Via Recreativa in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, which is a fantastic model for any city. In just four years the Via Recreativa has grown to attract 250,000 users every week - people who flock to the city to walk, bike, skate, and enjoy one another's presence. Lucy has also received international recognition for her implementation of large scale educative campaigns dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles and increased physical activity.
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Liliana Ortiz - Associate for Recreation and Events
Liliana Ortiz is a member of the Board of Directors of the Danish based International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA). She travels extensively promoting sports and cultural life to generate friendships between residents of geographically diverse cities and among all people, regardless of background. Liliana was a key player in the transformation of Bogota's parks systems. She helped to oversee the building of over 1,000 parks, and the creation of major recreational and cultural activities including the Summer Festival, the International Kite Festival, and the Community Games. Liliana is currently Vice-President of the Rotary Club in Bogota, where she is responsible for the management of national and international resources in the project "Rotary Park, Values in Action".
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