Kris Carter is the Chair of the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics. He is a non-practicing engineer, an optimistic urban planner, and a self-taught filmmaker. He has a not-so-secret love for Boston and working through challenging urban problems. Kris has been nationally recognized by the APA for his blending of storytelling and urban planning, and the Federal Labs Consortium for his innovation in transportation work.

With the Mechanics, Kris has helped lead the City's overhaul of curb management technology, crafted the Streetcaster program to improve equity in mobility, launched the City's digital storytelling team, created and managed the Public Space Invitational, built the nationally replicated Boston's Safest Driver competition, and oversees the City’s autonomous vehicle research efforts.

Prior to leading the Mechanics, Kris acted as the Director of Boston’s bicycle program, oversaw the expansion of Hubway, served as an advisor to Mayor on the Boston Innovation District, and helped operationalize One Fund Boston in response to the Marathon bombings. Before City government he spent a decade in schools and non-profits and is a two-time AmeriCorps alum. He firmly believes in bagging his own groceries, is surprised that QR codes have actually become useful, and has yet to find a job more fulfilling than raising twins. ​