When I joined Uber last spring, my first priority was to keep building a world-class Global Safety & Security Team worthy of the trust riders and drivers put in us each day to help them move safely around their cities.

Six months later, our safety and security team has grown to more than 70 professionals with expertise in personal safety, data security, compliance, and product development. We also work hand-in-hand with hundreds of Uber colleagues in operations, legal, and public policy, whose collective experience has been focused on safety and security issues across six continents. I’m proud of the work our team has done to quickly roll out new processes and products that improve the safety for riders and drivers before, during and after every ride. For example, we recently launched a new feature in the US called SafetyNet, which makes it easier for riders to share their trip details in real time with multiple loved ones.

But with over three million trips taking place each day on the Uber platform worldwide, we are focused on doing more. One of our goals for 2015 was to work closely with cities, the public, and external experts to figure out the right ways to tackle the challenges we face as we build technology that allows anyone to push a button and get a ride.

That’s why we are excited to announce the establishment of the Uber Safety Advisory Board, a group of experts who bring a wealth of expertise and experience spanning several aspects of safety. These advisors will provide critical recommendations and counsel as we continue to develop new methods and technologies that reduce risk and increase safety for riders, drivers, and the public.

The inaugural members of the Uber Safety Advisory Board include the following:

  • John Barton
    Former Deputy Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation
  • Rob Chesnut
    Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Chegg
    Former Senior Vice President, Trust and Safety, eBay

  • Ed Davis
    Former Boston Police Commissioner
  • Jessica Eaglin
    Associate Professor of Law, Indiana University, Maurer School of Law
    Former Counsel, Justice Program, Brennan Center’s Justice at NYU School of Law
  • Margaret Richardson
    Of Counsel, Covington & Burling
    Former Chief of Staff to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder
  • Cindy Southworth
    Executive Vice-President, National Network to End Domestic Violence
    Founder of the Safety Net Technology Project
    Board Member of the Global Network of Women’s Shelterss

I am thrilled these experts will be joining us in our mission to safely move people – the world’s most precious cargo – around their cities. Their experience in technology, customer service, women’s safety, and law enforcement will be invaluable as we continue enhancing how safety is built into every trip.