2024 AWARDS CEREMONY
April 10, 2024 | 8:00am — 10:00am
Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery Washington D.C.
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Welcome
We warmly welcome you to the 13th annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation (CWWMN) awards breakfast, hosted by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery.
To date, COMTO has recognized and honored 142 remarkable women making outstanding contributions to the transportation industry across modes. These amazing women inspire us all and carve a path ahead for the next generation of transportation leaders.
Inductees of the 2024 class of CWWMN honorees encompass a diverse spectrum of multi-modal transportation, spanning both the public and private sectors. This highly anticipated annual event uplifts women who positively contribute to the transportation industry, often quietly, not seeking recognition. The sold-out audience of transportation leadership in attendance is a true testament to the impact of these trailblazers who embody all that COMTO stands for, leadership reflecting the complex mosaic of those served.
Please join us in elevating and celebrating 10 amazing women, transforming transportation, moving the Nation and beyond!
Tanya Adams Board Chair, COMTO
Senior Vice President Diversity & Inclusion, WSP, USA
April
Rai President & CEO, COMTO
Awards Program
2024 AWARDS CEREMONY | APRIL 10, 2024 | 8:00AM — 10:00AM
SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM & NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
WASHINGTON D.C.
OPENING REMARKS
Tanya Adams Chair, COMTO Board of Directors
Dr. Lester Woods
First Vice Chair, COMTO Board of Directors
Veronica Vanterpool
Acting Administrator, Federal Transit Administration
Polly Trottenberg
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
Delia
Gonçalves Reporter-Anchor, WUSA9
BREAKFAST IS SERVED
INTRODUCTION OF EMCEE
Delia Gonçalves Reporter-Anchor, WUSA9
HONOREES INVITED ON STAGE
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
CLOSING REMARKS
Delia Gonçalves is an award-winning journalist with a proven track record of amplifying stories that lead to lasting impact, including legislation and government agency re-organizations.
She has dedicated her 23-year career to elevating the untold stories in our communities highlighting inequities in housing, healthcare, and education. Delia has spent the last 13 years driving change and holding the powerful accountable in Washington, DC. You can watch Delia’s unique storytelling most weekday evenings on WUSA9. Delia has earned 5 Regional Emmy Awards for her reporting and anchoring. She’s also been honored by the National Association of Black Journalists with 2 Excellence Awards.
Twitter: @DeliaNGoncalves
Instagram: @DeliaNGoncalves
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeliaGoncalvesTV Our Emcee
National Leadership
NATIONAL CHAIR
Tanya Adams
Senior Vice President, Inclusion & Diversity
WSP USA
FIRST VICE CHAIR
Dr. Lester Woods
Chief Administrative Officer
Missouri Department of Transportation (Modot)
SECOND VICE CHAIR
Gwendolen Gray
Project Controls Director & Vice President HNTB
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Michelle Hiett President/CEO Hie-Den, LLC
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Freddie Fuller
Vice President & Director of Sales, East Central Jacobs
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Regine Beauboeuf
Senior Vice President/Program Equity Advisor HNTB
Yvette Janniere-Houlder
Chief Executive Officer
Rigor Management
Ruben Landa
Assistant Vice President / Texas Business LeaderCommunications & Public Involvement WSP Usa
Melissa Rolle-Scott
Assistant Director and Chief Administrative Officer
Miami-Dade Department Of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW)
Keisha Campbell
Chief Diversity & Culture Officer
Toronto Transit Commission
COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS REPRESENTATIVE
Quincy Howard
Senior Compliance Supplier Diversity Officer
Maxx Impact Group
Demauris Terry
Executive Vice President/COO BA Inc.
Bianca Graves
Director, Business Services
Leading Edge Business Solutions, LLC
BOARD ADVISORS
Renee Banks
President & Chief Communications Officer
G. W. Peoples Contracting Co., Inc. (GWP)
Christian Kent Principal
Transit Management Consulting, LLC
CELEBRATING WOMEN WHO MOVE THE NATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Tanya Adams WSP USA
Rhonda Briggins Jacobs
Carmen Garcia ABRAC, LLC
Greer Gillis
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)
Ivoire Lloyd EXP
Emille Williams
Council of Presidents
Alabama
Brenda Perryman
Arizona
Gary Flunoy
Atlanta
Aaron Davis
Austin
Yannis Banks
Boston
Aboubacar Konate
Central Florida
Iranetta Dennis
Chicago
Rovaughn Graham
Cincinnati
Sally Stewart McKinnie
Cleveland
Jarrett Davis
Colorado
Rico Nelson
Columbus
Quincy Howard
Connecticut
Sharon Okoye
District of Columbia
Jeff Parker
Ft. Lauderdale
Rogelio Hendricks
Hampton Roads
Keisha Branch
Hawaii
Steven Nieves
Houston
Steve Granson
Jacksonville
Donovan Calicker
Kansas City
Maurice Gay
Louisiana
Paula Roddy
Maryland
Enyinna Anthony
Memphis
Bacarra Mauldin
Miami
Wade Jones
Michigan
Bianca Graves
Minnesota
Tekia Jefferson
Nashville
Kia Lewis
New York
Rich Watson
North Carolina
Ebony Pittman
North Texas
Marvin Jackson
Northern California
DeNise Blake
Oregon/SW Washington
Robin Thlehhema
Palm Beach County
Ann McNeil
Philadelphia
Daniel Villanueva
Pittsburgh
Charles Reeves
Richmond
Joe Dillard Jr.
San Antonio
Maurice Bridges
Southern California
Demauris Terry
St. Louis
Vivian Martain
Toronto & Region
Annette Salfarlie
Washington State
Grantley Martelly
*As of January 2024
Past Honorees
2023
Henrika Buchanan Private Sector
Veronica Castro de Barrera Private Sector
Cynthia Guidry Aviation
Captain Zeita Merchant Maritime
Raquel Olivier
Historically Underutilized Business
2022
Nancy Pelosi
Living Legend
Alva Carrasco Advocacy
Petra Mollet Advocacy
Vanessa E. Wyche Aeronautics
Carole Hopson Aviation
Dawn Tucker-Thomas Federal Government
Muriel Bowser Local Government
Latronia Durham Logistics
2020-2021
Regine Beauboeuf Private Sector
Jan Prysby Bryson Private Sector
Dr. Christine Darden Lifetime Achievement Award
Linda Darr
Advocacy
Shannetta Griffin Aviation
Julie Green Private Sector
Angie Rivera-Malpiede Public Sector
Joanna M. Pinkerton P.E
Public Transportation
Lynda Tran
Public Sector
Denise Turner Roth
Private Sector
Veronica Vanterpool Public Sector
Inez Evans
Shirley DeLibero Award
2019
Trudy Bartley Academia
Honorable Joyce Beatty
Shirley A. DeLibero Award
Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker Public Sector
Jannet Walker Ford
Private Sector
Meshelle Howard Public Sector
2018
Barbara Arens Private Sector
Trenelle Doyle Micro Mobility
Claire M. Williams
Private Sector
Beverly J. Watts
Public Sector
Verdenia C. Baker
Public Sector
Ari Jolly
Public Transportation
Melissa Rolle-Scott
Public Transportation
Michele Wong Krause
Public Transportation
Kimberly Slaughter
Shirley DeLibero Award
Helen McSwain
Shirley DeLibero Award
Anita Miller
Public Transportation
Jennifer Mitchell State Government
Nicole Nason Federal Government
Suzanne Shank
Private Sector
Mayor Sharon Weston Broome
Local Government
Rosa Beckett Aviation
Heather Berry Prvate Sector
Alice Bravo Public Sector
Jill Chen-Stober Chairman’s Eagle
Kim Day Aviation
Christy Hall
State Government
Lisa Winston Hicks Private Sector
2017
Juanita Abernathy
Lifetime Achievement
Margareth Bonds
Chairman’s Eagle
Thella Bowens Labor
Ginger Evans Aviation
Greer Gillis U.S. Government
Sharon Greene
Private Sector
Debra Johnson Public Sector
Gabriele Mack Private Sector
Elsa Ortiz Chairman’s Eagle Award J. Somer Shindler Aviation
Carol Wise Public Sector
Ryland McClendon Public Sector
Donna McNamee Advocacy
Diana Mendes
Shirley A. DeLibero
Michelle Pourciau Public Sector
Leslie Richards State Government
Stephanie Wiggins Public Sector
Diane Woodend-Jones Private Sector
Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim State Government
Bertha Henry Legislator
Loretta Kirk Public Transportation
Anne McNeill Academia
Terry Solís Advocacy
2016
Kimberly Avery Chairman’s Eagle
Flora M. Castillo, C.H.I.E. Advocacy
Grace Crunican
Shirley A. DeLibero
Deborah Flint Aviation
Polly Hanson Rail
Bryna Helfer, Ph.D. Federal Government
Grindly Johnson State Government
2015
India Birdsong Chairman’s Eagle
Chellie Cameron Aviation
Ann Dawson-August Public Transportation
Marcia Ferranto Advocacy
Carolyn Flowers U.S. Government
Deborah Hersman
Multimodal
Ysela Llort Public Transportation
2014
Dr. Maya Angelou Lifetime Achievement
Kimberly Avery Chairman’s Eagle
Diane Babineaux Labor
Tracey Bessellieu
Shirley A. DeLibero
Grace Crunican
Shirley A. DeLibero
Dr. Barbara Gannon Academia
Jacqueline Hinman Private Sector
Catherine Hudgins Public Transportation
Mary V. King Posthumous
Feysan Lodde Private Sector
Valarie McCall, Ph.D. Public Sector
Margaret O’Meara Private Sector
Dr. Karen E. Philbrick Academia
Leanne Redden Public Sector
The Honorable T. Bella Dinh Zarr, Ph. D., MPH Federal Government
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton Legislator
Cynthia Jones Parks Private Sector
Joy Rohadfox Private Sector
Polly Trottenberg State Government
Victoria Wassmer Aviation
The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson Legislator
Grindly Johnson State Government
Andrella Kenner Aviation
Susan Kurland U.S. Government
Karen Rae State Government
Shelby Scales Advocacy
2013
Gina F. Adams Private Sector
Rosemarie Andolino Aviation
India Birdsong Chairman’s Eagle
Anne P. Canby Advocacy
Helen L. Dale
Shirley A. DeLibero
The Honorable Tammy Duckworth Lifetime Achievement
Carolyn Flowers U.S. Government
2012
Laura Barrett Advocacy
The Honorable Marion C. Blakey Aviation
Jane A. Chmielinski Private Sector
The Honorable Corrine Brown
Lifetime Achievement
The Honorable Rina Cutler
Local Government
Shirley DeLibero
Shirley A. DeLibero
The Honorable Nuria I. Fernandez
Public Transportation
Gloria J. Jeff, AICP Highways
Ysela Llort
Public Transportation
Joan McDonald
State Government
Cheryl McKissack Daniel Private Sector
Deryl McKissack, PE, PMP
Private Sector
Therese W. McMillan Federal Government
Polly Trottenberg State Government
Nene Foxhall Aviation
The Honorable Camille M. Hazeur U.S. Government
Paula P. Hochstetler Aviation
The Honorable Grace Napolitano Legislator
Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D. Public Transportation
The Honorable Beverly L. Swaim-Staley Multimodal
Victoria Wassmer Aviation
Monica Backmon
2024
TRANSPORTATION HONOREE
CEO, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority
Monica Backmon is the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) and has led NVTA since May 2014. Bringing more than 25 years of public and private sector transportation experience, Ms. Backmon oversees the region’s longrange planning, prioritization, and funding of regionally significant projects bringing multimodal transportation solutions to Northern Virginia. Managing an annual revenue stream provided through House Bill 2313 that is trending at $425 million per year, Ms. Backmon led the NVTA through the adoption of all six funding programs, the most recent occurring in July of 2022. With the implementation of NVTA’s funding programs, NVTA is advancing 122 regional multimodal transportation projects totaling nearly $3.12 billion for congestion reduction throughout the region. Ms. Backmon also oversees the distribution of $110 million annually to the Authority’s nine member localities for their local transportation priorities, which surpassed a total of $1 billion in September 2023.
Under Ms. Backmon’s leadership, NVTA adopted the update to TransAction, Northern Virginia’s long-range transportation plan, for the third time in December 2022. TransAction includes elements of technology and innovation and an emerging regional Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system amongst its 424 projects.
For her outstanding work, Ms. Backmon has been honored with multiple awards including Women’s Transportation Seminar D.C.’s Woman of the Year (2022) and Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Ronald F. Kirby Award for Collaborative Leadership (2022). She has also been acknowledged as an influential figure in the industry, earning recognition in the Virginia 500 (2023 Power List) and the Power 100 (2022) by the Washington Business Journal.
Prior to her tenure with NVTA, Ms. Backmon served for a decade as Prince William County’s Regional Transportation Planner. She has established herself as a leader in the region through her collaborative work with local governments, the Commonwealth of Virginia, regional entities, and transit agencies. Ms. Backmon holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Donna Berry, PE
2024
TRANSPORTATION HONOREE
Deputy Director of Project Delivery and Chief Engineer, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Donna Berry is the Chief Engineer and Deputy Director for Project Delivery at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Donna is responsible for all guidance and policy for the delivery of Caltrans’ statewide transportation projects. Her oversight plays an essential part of Caltrans’ charge as a state DOT: She manages six headquarters divisions and leads over 11,000 Project Delivery employees statewide who are responsible for delivering the annual Capital Improvement Project program, valued at over $5 billion annually. Donna is the first African American woman to serve in this critical role for the Department.
Donna joined Caltrans after graduating from the University of California at Davis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Donna has nearly thirty years of experience working on a wide variety of transportation projects, and she embodies a broad range of experience delivering collaborative solutions with internal and external stakeholders. From her work on an extensive range of transportation projects, Donna became a subject matter expert for the Department and for California, which now leads the nation in efficient asset management and effective project delivery using limited transportation funding.
Donna remains committed to mentorship, team building, optimism, and collaboration to enhance effective communication. Donna is an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and continues to work with NSBE to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM. Donna is a member of Women in Transportation (WTS) whose mission is to advance women’s careers in the transportation industry. Donna is a founding member of Sisters of Nia, Inc., an organization that aims to develop the natural strengths of girls through the teaching of Afrocentric values while encouraging them to live their life with a purpose.
Donna is a licensed professional civil engineer in California where she enjoys an active family life with her husband Greg and two adult sons, Elijah and Gabriel.
Veronica O. Davis, PE
PRIVATE SECTOR HONOREE
Director of Cities Program for AtkinsRéalis
Veronica O. Davis, PE is a self-described transportation nerd and author of Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities. She believes everyone should have access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation. She is currently the Director of Cities Program for AtkinsRéalis. She has over twenty years of experience in civil engineering and planning. Under the Mayor Turner Administration, she was the Director of Transportation & Drainage Operations for the City of Houston. She is also the co-founder and former Managing Partner at Nspiregreen LLC. She is one of the co-founders of Black Women Bike (BWB). She was the Vice President and City of Houston representative on the National Association of City Transportation Officials.
She earned her dual Masters Degrees (Engineering Management and Regional Planning) from Cornell University. She has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Maryland. In July 2012, the White House recognized her as a Champion of Change and Transportation Innovator for her professional accomplishments and community advocacy in transportation.
She currently lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and daughter.
Dr. Shelley Francis
2024
INNOVATION HONOREE
Co-Founder, Managing Partner, EVNoire
Dr. Shelley Francis is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of EVNoire, an award-winning, tech consultancy working on electric, connected, shared, and autonomous vehicle solutions. She is also the founder of EVHybridNoire, the nation’s largest network of diverse EV drivers and enthusiasts who are focused on increasing EV adoption and awareness in under-represented communities. Dr. Francis, is a former Medical School Faculty member, a public health executive, entrepreneur and transportation disruptor who utilizes her years of expertise to integrate e-mobility best practices, diversity, equity, inclusion, and public health into the transportation sector. Dr. Francis was a director at Georgia’s Department of Public Health. She taught public health and mentored medical and graduate students at the Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina Central University, and Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Francis is recognized as a national thought leader in Best Practices, E-Mobility and Public Health Disparities. She is laser-focused and passionate about educating a wider community about the health, financial, and other benefits of multimodal, clean transportation and EVs – particularly among communities impacted worst and first by air pollution. Dr. Francis has been recognized by the Progressive Change Institute as a top leader in the environmental sector and serves on the Electric Vehicle Association National Board.
EVNoire serves as a national thought leader in community engagement, research/focus groups, awareness, education and outreach, expanding charging infrastructure, fleet deployment, marketing/launches, workplace charging, beneficial public policy advocacy and providing resources and access to underserved and diverse communities around affordable cleaner and greener sustainable energy vehicles and platforms. www.evnoire.com
EVHybridNoire is an award-winning, national 501(c)3 focused on accelerating equitable, multimodal e-mobility solutions. EVHybridNoire’s work includes advocacy campaigns, research through leadership, and programming in diverse communities including African American, LatinX, Tribal communities, LGBT+, young professionals, women, retirees, refugee and immigrant and rural communities and more. EVHybridNoire has thousands of members and chapters located across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
Gloria Frank
2024
PUBLIC SECTOR HONOREE
Chief of Police, Port Authority New York, New Jersey
Gloria T. Frank has over 25 years of dedicated public service with the Port Authority of NY/NJ Police Department (PAPD), the largest transportation police force in the US.
Chief Frank has spent her career commanding patrol functions, while ensuring infrastructure and customer safety and security with a strong focus on counterterrorism. With over 2,100 sworn officers, PAPD is responsible for securing 13 critical transportation facilities covering air, land, rail, and sea in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. This includes three major airports within the busiest airspace on the East Coast; four bi-state bridges including the George Washington Bridge, the busiest bridge in the world; two interstate tunnels; the Midtown Bus Terminal, the world’s largest and busiest bus terminal; the 13-station PATH rail system; the busiest seaport on the East Coast; and the iconic 16-acre World Trade Center campus
With years of experience as an assistant chief of police for the agency’s airports, Chief Frank innovated several key programs and exercises that have become department-wide standards. Some of these programs include strengthening mutual aid partnerships through response drills and tabletop exercises, streamlining interagency communications in preparation for serious airport emergencies, and the development of a three-tiered airport security breach identification system.
In 2022, Chief Frank was promoted to three-star police chief, becoming the first woman in department history to achieve this prestigious rank. In her current role as chief of agency affairs, she works to promote fair recruitment, hiring, and promotional practices within the department. She collaborates with Port Authority leadership in the areas of human resources, government-community relations, and diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure the police force reflects the communities served by the agency.
Chief Frank holds an MA in human resources training and development from Seton Hall University; a graduate certificate in criminal justice education from the University of Virginia; and a BA in sociology from Hunter College.
Chief Frank is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy. She is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Women Police, and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
Carmencita Mitchell
TRANSIT BOARD HONOREE 2024
Chair, Palm Tran Service Board, and Palm Beach State College
Professor Carmencita Mitchell is a passionate servantleader committed to quality enhancement in public transportation, education and housing. She holds a baccalaureate degree in Humanities from New York University, an MA in English from St. John’s University, an M. Ed in Higher Education Leadership from Lynn University and is currently pursuing doctoral work. For the past 23 years, she has taught English Composition, Literature, Business Writing, Public Speaking, and Student Life Skills at several universities. She is presently a tenure-track faculty member at Palm Beach State College where she also serves as English department cluster chair for the five campuses.
Carmencita—appointed by the Palm Beach Board of County Commissioners—serves as the Chairwoman of the board to the Palm Tran Service Board (PTSB), sits on its two standing sub-committees, and holds public meetings and hearings on transit concerns and service changes for both fixed-route and paratransit service. She recently joined the COMTO Accessibility Advisory Council and was featured as a panelist at the 2023 COMTO webinar “A Seat at the Table: People with Disabilities Leading in Public Transit”; and will deliver the Keynote address for the 2024 Professional Development Day for COMTO Fort Lauderdale.
Carmencita also serves on the board of the Florida College English Association, and as Vice-Chair of the Board for Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches where she also volunteers. She is also a member of the president’s advisory panel for the Hadley Institute for the Blind, where she offers advice on improvement to their educational programs for the blind and visually impaired.
In addition to her work and advocacy for those who are transportation disadvantaged, Carmencita is also an approved Silver Sneakers Fitness and dance instructor and holds various certifications in yoga and group fitness as well as in CPR, AED, and First Aid from the American Heart Association. Carmencita believes that sustainable transportation—in congruence with the Palm Tran mission of providing access to opportunity for all, in a manner that is safe, efficient, and courteous—is the right of every citizen.
Rear Admiral, Ann C. Phillips
MARITIME HONOREE
Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation
Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, US Navy (Ret.) was sworn in as the 20th Administrator for the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration on May 16, 2022.
As head of the Maritime Administration, Phillips advises and assists the Secretary of Transportation on commercial maritime matters, to include the movement of goods, supply chain, as well as the U.S. maritime industry, environment and compliance, ports and waterways infrastructure, and strategic sealift. She engages public and private stakeholders in the maritime industry and oversees the U.S Merchant Marine Academy.
Prior to this appointment, Phillips served as the first Special Assistant to the Governor of Virginia for Coastal Adaptation and Protection, where she built a collaborative, whole of government and community approach to address the impact of coastal flooding across the Commonwealth, including the development of Virginia’s first Coastal Resilience Master Plan.
Phillips served nearly 31 years on active duty as a Surface Warfare Officer. She holds a Master of Business Administration from The College of William & Mary—Raymond A. Mason School of Business, and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Yovannie Rodriguez, Esq. A.A.E
AVIATION HONOREE
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
Born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and the former Deputy General Counsel for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Ms. Rodriguez serves on the executive team and provides guidance and leadership on a wide variety of matters related to all aspects of airport business and operations. She is responsible for the overall development and activities of Concessions, Small Business Programs, Records Management, Human Resources and Regulatory Compliance functions of the Aviation Authority. She assists the CEO in achieving strategic development of Orlando International Airport by directing administrative objectives and administrative controls, policies and procedures resulting in the efficient and effective accomplishment of strategic and tactical objectives. Ms. Rodriguez served as the senior member of the 2023 Strategic Plan Steering Committee which developed the strategic mission, vision and values for one of the busiest large hub airports in the country.
As the former Deputy General Counsel for the Aviation Authority, Ms. Rodriguez counseled on Capital Improvement Programs involving cumulatively over $5 billion in infrastructure development including a multimodal complex, related improvements, transportation infrastructure, a new terminal complex, development of procurement plans, contract documents, as well as, small business participation across the campus and including the construction management teams as well as construction subcontractors.
Ms. Rodriguez is a champion of small and disadvantaged business and is regularly called upon by the Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Council International and American Association of Airport Executives to speak and train airports on the various program and compliance requirements. Nationally, she serves on the ACI Legal Steering Committee. She also serves as a mentor to airport employees studying to attain the airport certified member accreditation, Oakridge High School aviation magnet students and several young women of color starting out their careers as young lawyers. Locally, she serves as a director on the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Track Shack Foundation that supports sports programs in the local school district.
In her free time Yovannie loves tennis, yoga, is an avid reader and spends as much time as possible with her college-age daughter.
Janice R. Thomas TRANSIT HONOREE 2024
Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs, METRA
Ms. Thomas brings more than 25 years of government experience to her role as Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs, a position she assumed in March 2022. Among her key responsibilities is serving as an effective communicator and strategic advisor and planner to the CEO. Helping to manage the nation’s fourth largest commuter rail system, Ms. Thomas oversees special projects and key initiatives solving complex issues demanding executive leadership.
Among her many responsibilities, Ms. Thomas directs and manages the customer service, media relations/ communications, government affairs, marketing, and community relations teams for Metra.
Most recently, she has played a major role in Metra’s response to the coronavirus and was a keynote speaker at the Chicago Safe Return To Work Summit sponsored by Metra and the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago, which was attended by over 1,100 senior business executives and HR professionals.
During her tenure at Metra, which began in 2010, Ms. Thomas has served the agency in a variety of supervisory and managerial positions, including as Chief of Staff and Senior Division Director of Business Diversity & Community Relations. In the latter role, she successfully oversaw the administration and management of community relations, the DBE program, including certifications, contract and labor compliance, outreach, and the Title VI program.
Prior to joining Metra, Ms. Thomas served as the minority and female business enterprise coordinator in the purchasing division of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She began her career in 1997 as a compliance coordinator for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS).
Ms. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Chicago State University. She is a certified professional public buyer (CPPB) and a professional member of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). She is also a graduate of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Leadership Program for executive professionals and a graduate of the Eno Transit Senior Executive Program. November 1, 2022, Ms. Thomas was honored by the House of Representatives of the United States of America with a Congressional Record as a constituent of high distinction for exceptional leadership at Metra as the highest-ranking woman of color in history.
Charlotte Shaw TRANSIT HONOREE 2024
Executive Director/CEO
MAX Transit, Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority
Charlotte Shaw is a seasoned leader and multi-modal expert with over 30 years of leadership experience in the disciplines of capital programs, procurement, project and program management, construction and professional services in both the public and private sectors.
As the Chief Executive Officer at Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) since 2021, she has excelled in strategic planning, innovative project management, and fostering key partnerships with a wide spectrum of professionals, multidisciplinary teams, and stakeholders. Her background in capital improvements and contract management from roles at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and other esteemed organizations, has been essential to her success at BJCTA.
Shaw’s impactful leadership and guidance have transformed transit operations for BJCTA. Her strategic initiatives have fortified partnerships with labor unions and have secured substantial multi-million dollar federal and local grants, which enhanced transportation infrastructure without compromising service quality. During the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, she introduced cutting-edge technologies that boosted the local economy by over $165 million. Recognized for her achievements, Shaw holds various memberships in prestigious industry associations. In 2023, she was named the Executive Leader of the Year by the Minority Business Awards. In addition, she was elected as the Second Vice-President of the Transportation Association of Alabama (TAA) Board of Directors. Most recently, she was selected as one of the national honorees for Women Who Move the Nation by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) and will be receiving that recognition this April in Washington, D.C. She was chosen for Leadership Birmingham Class of 2024.
Shaw holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Urban Studies and Public Administration from Drake University and is one of a few leaders to hold an Asset Management Certification. She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), Women in Transportation (WTS), Project Management Institute (PMI), National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA). Charlotte Shaw is not only a visionary in public transportation but also a symbol of excellence in leadership, a dynamic public speaker, and an exceptional role model.
CELEBRATING WOMEN
WHO MOVE THE NATION
CONGRATULATIONS 2024 COMTO AWARD RECIPIENTS
Thank you for your outstanding contributions to advancing America’s transportation industry.
Synnov
2024 Women Who Move the
congratulations go out to all of the
inspire and make a positive impact
Synnov takes great pride in supporting women who are at the forefront of the transportation industry, paving the way for future generations. As a minoritywomen owned firm with a workforce that is composed of 81% women and minorities, Synnov is dedicated to being a strong pillar of support for years to come.
www.synnovgroup.com
Congratulat es
Janice
Thomas
Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs at Metra Commuter Rail
On This Well-Deserved Award
Thank you for your leadership and dedication to Metra and the Metra PMO.
STV is thrilled to extend heartfelt congratulations to Janice R. Thomas for her recognition as a COMTO Women Who Move the Nation Honoree. We are immensely proud to contribute to Metra’s vision to provide regional rail service that supports sustainable connected communities.
Learn more at stvinc.com.
The Organization of Black Maritime Graduates congratulates Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, USN (Ret.), and all honorees, on induction into COMTO’s Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation signature class of leaders.
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Our Mission
Our vision is to ensure full access for minorities in transportation while preparing and positioning leaders for rapidly evolving global opportunities.
Our mission is to ensure opportunities and maximum participation in the transportation industry for minority individuals, veterans, people with disabilities and certified MWDBE businesses through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, political advocacy, partnership building and networking opportunities.