Alby Bocanegra

Alby Bocanegra is a visionary leader and pioneer in shaping the cities of the future. As the Chief Future Officer and Founder of The Urban Futurist Inc, a cutting-edge consultancy and advisory organization, Alby is dedicated to studying future technologies and predicting their profound impact on cities, its residents, and the necessary ecosystems for sustainable development. His expertise as an advisor and consultant is focused on designing strategies, governance models, and transformative engagements that deliver a better tomorrow for all.
Alby’s influence extends beyond his consultancy work. He serves as an esteemed Advisory Board Member on Digital Twins to the prestigious World Economic Forum, where he contributes his insights to shape global technology initiatives. Furthermore, Alby has been honored with the title of “Futurist in Residence” by the Smart Cities Council, where he curates impactful global in-person convenings, addressing pressing urban tech challenges. Additionally, he hosts the acclaimed podcast “Urban Futurism for Smarter Cities,” captivating audiences with thought-provoking discussions on urban tech themes. Additionally, Alby was appointed as Strategic Advisor, Global Development and Engagement at Charter Cities Institute where their focus is to promote the creation of new cities in the African continent by developing strong governance models and partnerships with the aim of accelerating economic growth and eradicating poverty. Most recently, Alby was appointed to the Board of Advisors and Advisor to the CEO of Ecosystem Informatics Inc, an ambient air quality monitoring and analytics company that is revolutionizing the way we measure and analyse air quality in order to make cities healthier and more sustainable.
Recognized for his outstanding achievements, Alby has also been appointed as a board member of Aventura Ventures, a prominent impact Venture Capital fund in Southern California. Leveraging his vast knowledge, he actively supports the growth and success of innovative start-ups, including his board position at Create Labs, an Artificial Intelligence for social good start-up. Alby’s influential consulting agreements with international governments demonstrate his profound impact and global reach.
Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, Alby held the position of Vice President of Urban Technology and Global City Partnerships at Mastercard, where he spearheaded transformative partnerships with local governments, industry leaders, academia, development banks, NGOs, and civil society. Through his exceptional leadership, Alby scaled the City Possible framework from a small network to a global ecosystem comprising over 335 cities and 50+ partners worldwide. Notably, he championed the creation of the 24-Hour Cities Network, empowering government officials, academics, and advocates to drive night-time governance strategies, ultimately enhancing cities’ night-time economies.
With a distinguished career spanning various sectors, Alby’s impact is felt on a global scale. During his tenure with the Mayor’s Office in the City of New York, he played a pivotal role as Interim Chief Technology Officer, co-founding the influential Cities Coalition for Digital Rights alongside Amsterdam, Barcelona, and the United Nations. Today, this coalition boasts over 50 global cities, united in their pursuit of digital equity, privacy, and security. Alby’s leadership also led to the expansion of community-driven initiatives, ground-breaking urbanization projects, and the implementation of universal broadband, fostering greater inclusivity and digital literacy for all New Yorkers.
Before his governmental work, Alby’s academic journey spanned a decade, forging valuable partnerships with cities, native tribes, and governments. Notably, his time at the University of Southern California focused on fostering talent growth, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Alby’s commitment to service began with his esteemed military career, which commenced in 1997.
Alby Bocanegra’s trailblazing career, innovative mindset, and unwavering dedication to driving positive change position him as a sought-after thought leader and strategic partner. With his visionary approach and deep expertise, he continues to shape the cities of the future and inspire transformative action across industries and borders.