Leona Bridges Abruptly Leaves SFMTA Board of Directors

Leona Bridges is no longer a member of the SFMTA Board of Directors, for reasons which remain unclear. At the start of this week’s board meeting, which Bridges didn’t attend, chairperson Tom Nolan announced that she’d been sworn in as a member of the city’s Retirement Board. Appointments to both boards are made by Mayor Ed Lee.

A request for comment from Bridges forwarded through the SFMTA Board’s clerk was not returned.

Mayor’s Office spokesperson Christine Falvey said that “a vacancy opened up on the Retirement Board and the board could greatly benefit from someone with financial services expertise.”

“The mayor thanks Ms. Bridges for her work on the MTA Board and he looks forward to her continued service on the Retirement Board,” she said.

Bridges was appointed to the SFMTA board in January 2011 by then-Mayor Gavin Newsom. Although she had no background in transportation, she was championed by then-Supervisor Bevan Dufty for her financial expertise and because she would provide African-American representation on the board.

During her tenure on the board, Bridges was one of the least vocal members, though board member Cheryl Brinkman said that “she helped round out a great board with a unique perspective.”