Mobility for All: Driving Impact for a More Connected Future

In June, Capital One was honored to host the Ideas Drive Mobility for All event, bringing together a distinguished group of bold visionaries, community leaders and industry innovators. The day was dedicated to exploring how expanded access to mobility can build more vibrant and resilient communities. From insightful discussions on the future of the auto and mobility industries to hands-on problem-solving, participants engaged deeply with critical issues such as innovation, workforce development, transparency and inclusive access.

As Sanjiv Yajnik, President of Financial Services at Capital One, shared, the event was a testament to the belief that “without access to a car, there's a whole part of society that can't get ahead.” He challenged every attendee—including innovators, dealers, community leaders and education professionals—to spend time thinking about how to solve this challenge, creating greater access to vehicles for all. This guiding principle fueled a day of curiosity, connection and collaborative thinking.

The event was packed with dynamic sessions designed to spark new ideas and foster actionable solutions.

The day kicked off with an inspiring panel that delved into the profound meaning of "mobility for all," which goes beyond just transportation. It's a pathway to opportunity, independence and a better quality of life, helping build stronger and more resilient communities. Panelists Inga Maurer (McKinsey & Company), Dr. Janille Smith-Colin (Southern Methodist University) and Valerie Lefler (Feonix - Mobility Rising), challenged attendees to think bigger about equitable access, and the transformative role of mobility in daily life and economic opportunity during a discussion moderated by Capital One's Sunny Karassik. They dove into topics designed to help reimagine how we build inclusive mobility ecosystems for everyone and what that means in today's rapidly evolving world.

• The group identified the key challenge of helping people understand their current financial situation and what they can afford for a car loan, as car payments are often prioritized due to the importance of mobility.

• One of the panelists highlighted a Harvard study of five million children that explored how family households who lived with an income at or below the poverty level broke the cycle, following the children who grew up and flourished. The single strongest factor was tied to the parents’ commute time, indicating mobility directly impacts parental involvement which is tied to a child’s future success.

• Participants also highlighted the complex relationship between housing affordability, job access and transportation. Mobility can afford individuals the ability to access higher paying jobs or different jobs that are a better fit with their respective skill sets in addition to the direct correlation to housing. Individuals may move somewhere with good job access and affordable housing, but those conditions may shift 10 years later forcing people to move or face longer commutes, which could directly impact their quality of life. However, those with shorter commutes or better access to reliable transportation and infrastructure are oftentimes better equipped to provide food and security for their families. 

Attendees then moved into focused breakout sessions, each addressing a crucial aspect of the mobility ecosystem:

• Fueling Innovation: Thriving in the Mobility Ecosystem - This session, featuring Boyd Bishop (Hive Technologies Inc), Kathleen Hale (Builders + Backers), Marty Blue (Harvard Innovation Lab Expert), and moderated by Julian Van Giessen (Capital One Ventures), provided actionable insights for adapting to the rapidly shifting automotive landscape. Discussions centered on navigating infrastructure, leveraging on-demand services and data-driven customer experiences.

  • Key strategies discussed included leveraging AI and data for business efficiency, utilizing it as a “chief strategy officer” to problem-solve and thrive beyond automating administrative processes.

  • For the auto industry, and dealers in particular, there is an opportunity to innovate by partnering with early-stage tech companies—dealers have customer access, tech startups have innovation. These strategic partnerships create a win-win with each contributing their core strength while driving innovation.

  • Thanks to AI, efficiency will be imperative to keep up with competitors, which is lowering the barrier of entry for entrepreneurs. While AI is speeding up the entrepreneurial cycle, businesses will still need to see if people will actually "opt in” to their innovation—and technology is providing the fuel for more rapid, low-cost validation.
     

• Strengthening the Mobility Talent Pipeline: Collaborating for Workforce Solutions - During this interactive session, table facilitators Andrella Thomas (Capital One), Brandi Harrison Trotter (Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas), C. Brent Franks (North Texas Automobile Dealers), Colleen Casey (Toyota Motor North America), Elizabeth Caudill McClain (Dallas Regional Chamber), Katie Mueller (On the Road Companies) and Tony Molla (ASE Education Foundation), led collaborative table conversations, helping participants identify shared challenges and successful models for attracting, training and retaining the next generation of mobility professionals.

  • One challenge centers around accreditation. Table facilitator C. Brent Franks noted that the majority of automotive programs in Texas are not using accredited curriculum with certified instructors. This creates an escalating problem throughout the mobility talent pipeline, often requiring retraining.

  • Participants discussed the positive impact of industry-education partnerships—including auto dealers collaborating with community colleges—as a way to transform the Texas automotive workforce by providing proper foundational training upfront, eliminating the need for costly remedial programs.
     

• Transparency in Car Buying: Building Trust Through Financial Literacy - Moderated by Ryan Tomlinson (Capital One Auto), this panel with Cathie Mahon (Inclusiv), Kelly Stumpe (The Car Mom) and Kris Gaerlan (Dallas Lease Returns) addressed the critical need for transparency and financial literacy in the car-buying process. Experts shared insights on empowering buyers and building trust.

  • The session's key takeaway was ”preparation is power.” Speakers emphasized the importance of a financial “reality check” before car shopping, suggesting pre-approval tools like Capital One’s Auto Navigator to help buyers understand their true affordability and navigate dealerships with confidence.

  • The group identified the lack of accurate pricing advertised by dealers, including fees and market adjustments, as a key barrier to transparency. They also shared that empowering buyers with a clear financial picture before entering a dealership is a practical solution.

  • Panelists also discussed the importance of becoming a reliable voice in the auto industry in an increasingly noisy digital space. Trusted relationships, such as friends, families and financial partners, are crucial in the car buying process.

The day concluded with a forward-looking fireside chat between Capital One’s Sanjiv Yajnik and the Car Dealership Guy, Yossi Levi. They explored the transformative forces reshaping how we move, from electrification, autonomous technology, evolving consumer expectations and bold policy innovation.

• The future of mobility begins with finding “the right car for the right person, at the right price, at the right place,” Yajnik emphasized during his discussion with Levi. Democratizing vehicle access will be fueled by auto dealerships and technology, compressing buying cycles and making vehicle ownership more frequent and accessible across income levels to ensure the right car fits the right customer.

• As both noted, dealers are incredible entrepreneurs and advisors, and technology combined with the responsible use of AI will supercharge their expertise and amplify their innovation—they understand their community’s specific mobility needs. Dealers will be better equipped to provide personalized, real-time solutions for the specific needs of all their buyers, not just one segment to further ensure transportation access doesn't become a barrier to economic advancement and instead drives mobility for all. 

The Ideas Drive Mobility for All event underscored the power of collective action and diverse perspectives in addressing complex challenges. We extend our sincere gratitude to all speakers, moderators and participants for their active engagement and commitment to fostering a future where mobility truly drives opportunity for all. Capital One looks forward to continuing these vital conversations and driving mobility forward. Contact socialinnovation@capitalone.com to get involved in this work.