Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association Announces Annabel Chang as Board Chair

WASHINGTON – Today, the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA) announced that Annabel Chang of Waymo will serve as the association's next Board Chair. Chang succeeds Sam Wempe of Motional.

Chang has served on the AVIA Board of Directors since March 2024, and most recently as Vice-Chair and Treasurer. She has been instrumental in the organization's growth during a period of significant commercial expansion for the autonomous vehicle industry. In her role at Waymo, Chang leads U.S. state and local public policy and political campaigns for the company as it operates the nation's largest commercial robotaxi service across San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, and Miami, with expansions planned in many more cities around the world.

"AVIA is thrilled to announce Annabel Chang as our Board Chair," said AVIA CEO Jeff Farrah. "Annabel has been a committed leader of our Board and a tireless champion for the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles. Her tenure as Board Chair arrives at a defining moment for the industry, as autonomous vehicles reach more communities and deliver benefits to the American people. Annabel's deep expertise in advocating for public policy that facilitated deployment of autonomous vehicles will be invaluable to the important work of AVIA."

"Autonomous vehicles are making roads safer and expanding mobility for millions of Americans, and I am honored to lead the Board at such a consequential time for this industry," said Annabel Chang. "I look forward to working alongside our members, coalition partners, and policymakers to put in place policies that increase safety, foster American innovation, and ensure autonomous technology reaches every community."

About the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA):

The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association mission is to advocate for American leadership in the safe and timely deployment of autonomous driving technology. AVIA is the unified voice of the diverse companies advancing safe and trusted autonomous vehicles. AVIA believes that autonomous vehicles increase road safety, strengthen supply chains, expand economic opportunity, and improve mobility for all.

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