Leaders Prepared to Help Shape the Future of Community Transportation

Washington, D.C. (March 7, 2025) — The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) is thrilled to announce the graduation of the seventh cohort of its Leadership Academy (formerly Emerging Leaders Academy). The graduation is the culmination of a week-long classroom intensive, and participation in CTAA’s Legislative Fly-in featuring meetings on Capitol Hill with Congressional representatives in the House and Senate.

“Each year we are impressed with the dedication, creativity, and bravery demonstrated by the individuals in the CTAA Leadership Academy. Cohort 7 was just as impressive and we know they will carry forward the legacy of empowerment and innovation that the Leadership Academy is known for,” says Loreal Lance, organizer of the Leadership Academy and Director of Membership and Business Development at CTAA. “We bring Academy participants together with their peers, guided by a group of incredible trainers, and then we challenge them to take what they learned to the Hill to advocate for community transit. It’s a busy week!” The Leadership Academy features a robust curriculum designed and led by Dionne Gates, Amanda Barlow, and Michael Noel. Through a series of intensive workshops, discussions, and projects, participants are empowered with tools necessary to be successful in their current and future roles. Presentations and panels featuring DC transit leaders, CTAA board members, and previous Leadership Academy graduates round out the week. The curriculum equips participants with the tools necessary to stand at the helm of their agencies, work deliberately and productively with colleagues, and drive meaningful change in their communities and the broader transit industry.

“CTAA’s decision to pair the Leadership Academy with our Legislative Fly-in was a natural fit,” shares CTAA Executive Director Scott Bogren. “Back home, members of Cohort 7 provide essential trips to people in their community. Bringing them to Capitol Hill to meet with their Congressional representatives brings their day-to-day work into a new light. We hope they can see how sharing the value and impact of their work with Congress is critical for maintaining continuing support and funding at the federal level.”

Meet Cohort 7: A Diverse Group of Transit Advocates

Thirty transportation professionals came together in Washington D.C., from across the United States March 2 – 7, 2025. Each individual brings their unique experience and perspective to the Leadership Academy, united by a shared dedication to community mobility. Congratulations to the following individuals for graduating from the 2025 CTAA Leadership Academy on March 7, 2025. In Alphabetical Order:

• JR Aguilar, Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization
• Joseph Baker, RADAR
• Justin Belliston, Park City Municipal Corporation
• Jennifer Boehm, Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton, Inc.
• Gregory Carthon, City of Fort Smith Transit
• Brittney Darnell, SporTran
• Avery Daugherty, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
• Dario Dominguez, San Joaquin RTD
• John Duklewski, Transportation Association of Maryland
• Whitney Ehresman, Allegan County Transportation
• Kimberly Engel, York County Community Action Corporation
• Erik Hall, WVDOT-Public Transit
• Jessica Heinen, Brazos Transit District
• Cameron Hendrickson, Mass Transportation Authority
• Kenneth Kraynik, Pittsburgh Regional Transit
• Amanda Mathis, Excelsior Ambulance Service
• Christopher Melton, San Joaquin Regional Transit District
• Shane Moore, Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority (rabbittransit)
• Jeff Redmond, Capital Transit
• Shawna Sengelmann, River Cities Public Transit
• Alan Spencer, Palm Tran
• Richard Troxel, GRTC Transit System
• Diana Turner, Southwest Human Resource Agency
• Kim Viener, Western Oakland Transportation Authority
• Brandon Waites, TARTA
• Tracey Whitehead, Manchester Transit
• Donna Zampella, Oxford University Transit
• Kristy Grestini, Battle Creek
• Rosalyn Andrews, The Comet

The CTAA Leadership Academy continues to be a catalyst for transformation within the community transportation industry. Cohort 7 joins a distinguished network of alumni who have significantly contributed to advancing transportation services and policies. All past Leadership Academy (formerly Emerging Leaders Academy) participants are invited to attend the LA Conclave at the CTAA EXPO in San Diego, Calif. June 2-4, 2025.