April 15, 2026
8:00am—10:30am • Grand Hyatt Washington
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
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VIP RECEPTION
Reception Premier Sponsor
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COMMEMORATIVE HONOREE PIN SPONSOR
On behalf of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) and the 2024-2026 Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation (CWWMN) Selection Committee, welcome to the 15th annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation Awards Ceremony.
Since 2011, this premier event has elevated the remarkable women shaping the transportation industry. Today, you are part of this long legacy honoring an extraordinary group of leaders whose contributions move our industry forward, inspire future generations, and create meaningful and lasting impact in our communities.
The 2026 honorees represent the best and brightest in transportation, spanning all modes and sectors, both public and private. Their leadership, innovation, and commitment are critical to strengthening our infrastructure and advancing mobility for all. They remind us that transportation is not just about moving people and goods, but also about building a future that is shaped by unique voices and driven by excellence.
A special thank you to the CWWMN Selection Committee, whose commitment ensures that this tradition continues as we highlight outstanding women making a difference in transportation. It has been an honor to work alongside:
Debra A. Johnson, Board Liaison, General Manager & CEO, RTD (2019 honoree)
Regine Beauboeuf, CEO, American Roads (2020 honoree)
Tracey Bessellieu, CEO & Principal Facilitator, Bessellieu Enterprises (2014 honoree)
Greer Johnson Gillis, SVP, Chief Infrastructure & Development Officer, JTA (2017 honoree)
Charlotte Shaw, CEO, Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (2024 honoree)
Veronica Vanterpool, Past Acting Administrator, FTA (2023 honoree)
April Rai, COMTO Headquarters Liaison, President & CEO, COMTO
To our honorees, we salute your achievements. To the 162 women already inducted into this signature class, thank you for leading the way. To our sponsors, partners, and attendees, we appreciate your support. And to the future leaders in the room, may you be inspired by the remarkable women we celebrate today.
Enjoy the 15th Annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation!
Meshelle Howard
Chair, CWWMN Committee
Director, Small Business Programs, WMATA
2019 CWWMN Honoree
to Melissa Mullinax and all the honorees of COMTO’s 15th Annual Celebrating Women
Your leadership reflects a shared commitment to advancing infrastructure and building stronger, more connected communities.
hntb.com
MELISSA MULLINAX Business Development Officer
April 15, 2026
As Mayor of Washington, DC, I am proud to welcome the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials’ (COMTO) members, guests, and honorees to the 15th Annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation (CWWMN) Awards Breakfast.
Established with a mission to ensure transportation for all through connecting stakeholders, training, advocacy, and community partnerships, COMTO fosters more efficient transportation ecosystems, and since its founding has since grown immensely increasing its impact and reach year after year. Now boasting a membership of more than 3,000 members across the United States and Canada, COMTO represents millions of transportation industry professionals working in all modes of transportation. Impressively, members range from transportation agencies, corporations, small businesses, industry nonprofits, academic institutions, individuals, and students, to presidents, chief executive officers, mechanics, and operators, all of whom are dedicated to ensuring safe travels for our transportation riders.
Hosted annually by COMTO and its impactful network of transportation professionals, the 15th Annual CWWMN Awards Breakfast recognizes leading women in the field and their contributions of excellence, innovation, and commitment toward improving transportation around the nation. Admirably, in honor of Womory Month, COMTO honored the achievements of women transportation trailblazers throughout the month of March. By amplifying the stories of these remarkable women and more, your organization offers inspiration to women in transportation, and unwavering support to novice and seasoned professionals alike.
Once again, I join the more than 700,000 residents of Washington, DC in welcoming members, awardees, and guests to COMTO’s 15th Annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation Awards Breakfast.
Muriel Bowser Mayor, Washington,
DC
Congratulations to COMTO’s Women Who Move the Nation
Saluting our impact maker, Shalonda Baldwin, for shaping the future and transforming lives in inspiring ways.
15TH ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY | APRIL 15, 2026 | 8:00AM — 10:30AM
Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H. Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2026 HONOREES
EMCEE: Delia Gonçalves, VP, External Affairs, COMTO
WELCOME: Meshelle Howard, WMATA, CWWMN Selection Committee Chair
PRESENTING SPONSOR REMARKS: Diana Mendes, Corporate President of Infrastructure & Mobility Equity, HNTB
OPENING REMARKS: Valerie Santos, Chair, Board of Directors, WMATA
BREAKFAST IS SERVED • HONOREES INVITED ON STAGE
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Shalonda Baldwin, California Regional Business Leader, Transportation Infrastructure, WSP — TRANSPORTATION HONOREE
Sharon Jean-Baptiste, President, Ardmore Roderick — SMALL BUSINESS HONOREE
Joi Taylor Dean, CEO, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority; 2026 Board President, IBTTA — TRANSPORTATION HONOREE
Caroline Decker, Chief Government Affairs Officer, GFT — POLICY HONOREE
Deborah Flint, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) — AVIATION HONOREE
Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan’s Office of Future and Mobility and Electrification — TRANSPORTATION HONOREE
Kelli Kelly, Vice President, Business Development & Strategy, Kiewit — TRANSPORTATION HONOREE
Nadine S. Lee, President & Chief Executive Officer, DART — TRANSPORTATION HONOREE
Melissa Mullinax, Vice President, Business Development Officer, HNTB — TRANSPORTATION HONOREE
Anna Roach, Executive Director & CEO, Atlanta Regional Commission — GOVERNMENT HONOREE
CLOSING REMARKS: April Rai, COMTO President & CEO
Tanya Adams Chair SVP, Director of Strategic Partnership, WSP, USA
Yetunde Olumide Treasurer/Secretary CFO, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
Debra Johnson Member at Large General Manager & CEO, RTD-Denver
Steve Granson
COMTO Houston President, Council of Presidents Representative Assoc. Vice President, Project Development Leader, HNTB
Lester Woods
First Vice-Chair Chief Administrative Officer Missouri Department of Transportation
Johnell Bell Member at Large Founder & CEO, Espousal Strategies
Kimberly Slaughter Member at Large Sr. Vice President, Transportation Leader North America, TyLin
Richard Watson
COMTO New York President, Council of Presidents Representative Director, Labor Relations, Liberty Utilities
Gray
Second Vice-Chair President & Founder, B2B Consulting Inc.
Sharon Jean-Baptiste Member at Large President, Ardmore Roderick
Dave Wong
Member at Large Sr. Vice President, Transportation Client Development Director, HDR
Edna Stanley
COMTO SoCal President, Council of Presidents Representative Deputy Chief Operations Officer, LA Metro
Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation - and the Women Who Will Lead It Next
Support the next generation of transportation leaders through the COMTO National Scholarship Program.
The COMTO National Scholarship Program invests in the future of transportation by supporting undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate leadership, service, and a passion for solving industry challenges.
COMTO awards national scholarships ranging from $1,600 - $10,000 annually to students across North America.
Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation Scholarship
COMTO Rosa L. Parks Scholarship
COMTO Julie Cunningham Scholarship
COMTO Carmen E. Turner Scholarship
These scholarships honor women whose leadership, courage, and vision helped shape the transportation industry.
Help Us Continue Their Legacy
Donate today to support the next generation of transportation leaders.
Scan to support the future of women leaders!
www.comto.org/scholarship
We salute and thank these trailblazers and exceptional leaders shaping the future of transportation for every community they serve.
COMTO honors trailblazers who continue to shatter glass ceilings in the transportation industry. To date, COMTO has inducted 162 women into this signature class of exceptional leaders in the transportation industry.
Representing a broad cross-section of multi-modal transportation in both the private and public sectors, these women exemplify the very definition of excellence. While their areas of influence and affiliations are diverse, their unequivocal commitment to advancing and strengthening our nation’s infrastructure is unparalleled.
Thank You and Congratulations to Honorees Past & Present!
Shalonda Baldwin
Senior Vice President
California Regional Business Leader, Transportation & Infrastructure for WSP, USA
Shalonda A. Baldwin is a visionary leader who has netted impact across municipal governments and the public transportation sector centered upon enhancing communities. Her career spans more than 20 years advancing complex transportation and infrastructure projects and programs nationally with a laser focus on California.
Ms. Baldwin currently serves as the Senior Vice President, California Regional Business Leader, Transportation & Infrastructure for WSP, USA. In this role, she has auspices over business services; project delivery; people and culture; as well as operational excellence to support clients and communities. Her prior role with WSP consisted of leading the Northern California Transportation Business Line, as well as serving as Senior Vice President within Advisory Enterprise Management Services.
Prior to joining WSP, Baldwin served at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, and the Office of the Mayor in San Francisco.
During her tenure at LA Metro, as an Executive Officer, she led operational activities, capital programs, financial investments exceeding $8 billion, guided the delivery of nationally recognized programs, and the management of auditing services.
Through a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ appointment, Baldwin served as a commissioner for the LA County Workforce Development Board. She was tapped to serve as a member on the Biden Infrastructure Policy Committee, where she drafted long-term policy recommendations for the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on issues of climate and resilience, economic, and workforce development.
Baldwin currently serves as a board member on the American Public Transportation Foundation Board; the Bay Area Council where she co-chairs the Transportation Committee, and is an active member of COMTO Southern California chapter, as well as COMTO Northern California; moreover, her commitment to policy is furthered enhanced through her role as a board member for San Francisco Planning and Urban Research.
Ms. Baldwin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco and master’s degree from Golden Gate University. She also holds Project Management Professional certification and is certified as a Senior Professional of Human Resources.
President
Ardmore Roderick
Sharon A. Jean-Baptiste is an accomplished engineering executive with more than 26 years of experience spanning water, transportation, and the built environment. A civil and environmental engineer by training, Jean-Baptiste brings deep expertise in operations, program delivery, technology and innovation, and sales leadership. As President of Ardmore Roderick, she is focused on reimagining infrastructure, elevating business operations and driving national strategic growth. She leads by empowering the company’s talent, delighting clients and partners, and amplifying the company brand. Known for her ability to build strong networks, Jean-Baptiste collaborates seamlessly across disciplines and geographies to deliver results that strengthen both business performance and community impact.
Throughout her career, Jean-Baptiste has developed solutions to complex environmental and community challenges, led high-profile capital programs, and guided meaningful multi-stakeholder engagement. Her expertise extends to policy development, community outreach, diverse business capacity building, and workforce development. Jean-Baptiste has been a driving force for organizational change within both corporate and nonprofit settings. She has led global employee networks dedicated to culture transformation, championing mentorship, sponsorship, and courageous conversations that foster belonging and opportunity. Jean-Baptiste remains deeply engaged in advancing the engineering industry through leadership roles with organizations such as the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), and Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association (IRTBA).
A frequent speaker and co-author of numerous technical and industry publications, she continues to shape thought leadership in her field. Her extensive civic board service includes Community College of Philadelphia and Urban Affairs Coalition. Her leadership and impact have been recognized nationally by NSBE, Career Communications Group Inc. (CCG) and Ingram’s Magazine.
In 2022, she was honored by CCG with the Women of Color (WOC) STEM Career Achievement Award for her exceptional contributions to industry and community. Most recently, she was named to the Executive Woman Magazine’s 2025 Power 100 List for her national impact.
Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Joi Taylor Dean is the Chief Executive Officer of the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority (RMTA), where she oversees the strategic vision and operational management of one of Richmond, VA’s largest and most essential transportation networks. With executive experience in transportation planning, tolling, and infrastructure development, Dean has been pivotal in advancing RMTA’s vision of providing safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility solutions. Under her direction, RMTA has prioritized innovation, technology integration and enhanced customer experience, including the implementation of all-electronic tolling.
On a global scale, Ms. Dean currently serves as the President of the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association (IBTTA), where she drives efforts to advance innovation, foster collaboration, and promote best practices across the transportation industry. Her leadership represents a historic milestone as the first African American woman to lead the 94-year-old organization. Dean is also a member of the Central Virginia Chapter of the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), where she previously served as an advisory board member. Additionally, Dean is a proud charter member of the Richmond Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). Committed to transportation planning, infrastructure and mobility, Dean serves on the Board of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA).
Deeply committed to serving her community, Dean currently serves as Board Secretary for Venture Richmond and Treasurer of The Valentine Museum. Her past board leadership includes serving as Chair of Partnership for the Future and as Vice Chair of the Marion P. Thomas Charter School.
Dean holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hampton University and a Juris Doctor from William and Mary Law School. She is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and member of the Richmond (VA) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. In her personal time, Dean enjoys spending time with her family and cheering on her nine year old musical theater star.
Caroline N. Decker is a nationally respected leader in the transportation industry, bringing more than three decades of experience – all in Washington, DC – to her role as Chief Government Affairs Officer at GFT.
Ms. Decker began her transportation career on Capitol Hill, where she served as Legislative Director and Chief of Staff to Congressman Bob Clement, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. One of the few women in such a senior staff role at the time, she played a pivotal role in advancing key legislative efforts, including the creation of the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program and the enabling legislation for Nashville’s WeGo Star commuter rail line.
She went on to spend more than 15 years in senior leadership positions at Amtrak, including Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Communications and later Vice President of the Northeast Corridor Service Line. She secured critical federal funding for infrastructure and equipment investments, led public outreach during New York Penn Station’s Infrastructure Renewal Program, oversaw commercialization and readiness for the next for Amtrak’s flagship station, the new Moynihan Train Hall in New York City.
Ms. Decker broadened her impact across the transportation sector as Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the American Trucking Associations, championing safety and workforce development. She later entered the AEC industry, keeping a focus on transportation and infrastructure, as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at WSP before joining GFT in 2025.
Her leadership has earned national recognition, garnering Railway Age’s Women in Rail Award (2017) and WTS DC’s Woman of the Year Award (2019). She continues to lead and influence the transportation community through active engagement with APTA and WTS. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University and her MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
Ms. Decker lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, Jon, and together they enjoy tennis-themed travel to sunny and warm destinations.
Deborah Flint
President and Chief Executive Officer
Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)
Deborah Flint is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), which leads Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s biggest passenger and cargo airport. Toronto Pearson International Airport is also a Top 5 internationally connected hub in North America, with daily direct connectivity to 70% of the world’s economies. At the helm of Toronto Pearson, Flint is focused on ‘Putting the Joy Back into Travel’ by creating a world-class passenger experience. She is sustainably building the airport of the future through LIFT: Long Term Investment in Facilities & Terminals. LIFT is a 4 mega-project, multi-billion-dollar investment with all projects in active procurement or awarded.
Ms. Flint has a track record of spearheading airport infrastructure and capital transformation. As the Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles World Airports (LAX, VNY), Flint initiated a $14 billion airport modernization plan, including the first rail connection to LAX; and the development of the largest rental car facility in the United States-both P3 Design, Build, Operate, and Maintenance deals. She delivered and initiated terminal modernization projects with airline partners across the airport, as it grew from 70 million annual passengers to 90 million annual passengers. She led with the customer focus to better service passengers at LAX and VNY, one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world, and with creating positive community impact as a foundation.
Ms. Flint is a Director of the Airports Council International World Governing Board, and the Toronto Region Board of Trade. She is an Independent Director on the Board of Honeywell Corporation. She formerly served as a Director on the Federal Reserve Bank (San Francisco Branch), and as Chair of the National Academy of Science’s Airport Cooperative Research Program. She is a proud recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Justine Johnson
Chief Mobility Officer
As Chief Mobility Officer for the state of Michigan, Justine Johnson leads the state’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification in working across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale up of emerging mobility technologies and businesses.
Prior to joining Team Michigan, Ms. Johnson was appointed to the Los Angeles County Aviation Commission to advise the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on the operations and development of the County’s five airports. In addition to this role, she served as the Director of Member Engagement at the California Mobility Center (CMC) which is a non-profit that promotes commercial interactions with new mobility companies and industry-leading entities to deploy new products, programs, and services in clean mobility in the State of California, and beyond.
Previously, Johnson served as the Head of Mobility Engagement for the SoCal/Southwest Region at Ford Motor Company. This promotion was a result of her successful tenure as Ford’s Mobility Strategist. During her time in New York, she served as Vice President of Government & Community Relations for the New York City Economic Development Corporation, managing government and community relations for Mayor de Blasio’s innovative commuter ferry system. However, her impact on transportation initiatives within NYC was initially established during her time with the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission where she worked on the “Boro Taxi” project, also known as the Green Taxi program, which created a new for-hire vehicle and driver classification.
Johnson served as the Board Co-Chair of BlackSpace Urbanist Collective, Board Chair of Urban Movement Labs, and most notably, as an adjunct instructor at USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
Johnson holds two Master of Arts degrees from the University of Southern California in Urban Planning and Public Administration. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampton University in Political Science and Government.
Kelli Kelly
Vice President
Business Development & Strategy
Kiewit Engineering Group
Ms. Kelly serves as Vice President of Business Development & Strategy – Economic Inclusion for Kiewit, where she is responsible for developing and executing client, community, and industry engagement strategies that support the pursuit and delivery of complex infrastructure programs. In this role, she partners closely with internal teams, clients, and external stakeholders to align business development objectives with meaningful economic inclusion, workforce participation, and community impact. Her core areas of expertise include consensus building across stakeholder groups, strategic procurement, organizational leadership, and creating scalable opportunities and capacity growth for small firms.
With more than 20 years of experience across the engineering, construction, and professional services industries, Ms. Kelly brings a broad and integrated perspective shaped by leadership roles in business development, proposal management, community outreach, equity and inclusion, and strategic communications. Over the course of her career, she has supported and influenced the pursuit and delivery of billions of dollars in infrastructure projects and programs, contributing to major transportation and public infrastructure initiatives nationwide. She is widely recognized for cultivating trusted relationships, navigating complex stakeholder environments, and advancing initiatives that strengthen organizational performance while delivering lasting social value.
Kelly is deeply committed to civic leadership and workforce development. She actively volunteers with organizations focused on education and economic mobility and currently serves on several boards, including the Denver Workforce Development Board, where she is Chair. Her additional board service includes the Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists, the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Colorado Chapter, and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance.
Ms. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Colorado and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University Global. Her professional excellence and community leadership have been recognized through honors including Denver Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” and Engineering News-Record’s “Top 20 Under 40.” Known for her credibility, collaborative leadership style, and strategic insight, Ms. Kelly brings clarity, purpose, and momentum to every initiative she leads.
Nadine S. Lee
President & CEO
As the President & CEO of DART, Nadine Lee leverages the talents of 3800 employees to deliver connected and seamless mobility for their entire service area. Previously, Ms. Lee served in the roles of Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief Innovation Officer for Los Angeles County Metro. Lee drove coordination and delivery of projects, programs, and services across the organization to provide a world-class transportation system for the citizens of Los Angeles County. She established three foundational culture-transformation functions including the Vision 2028 Strategic Plan and the Better Bus Program.
Prior to Los Angeles, Lee led the development and implementation of the Flatiron Flyer Bus Rapid Transit for Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD), a project that produced a 40% increase in corridor ridership in its first few months of service.
Lee was appointed to the Leadership APTA Committee in 2019 and is a past Director on the WTS International Board. She was awarded 2019 WTS International Woman of the Year. Lee participated in the 2019 APTA International Study Mission to explore Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) in three European cities. She also studied the role of performance management in improving service delivery in four Southeast Asia cities as part of the TCRP International Transit Studies Program
Lee is currently serving as chair of the North American Division for The International Association of Public Transport. During her long history with UITP, she’s been active in areas such as sustainability, accessibility, innovation, and the development of the recently released strategic plan.
A professional engineer by training, Lee believes firmly that public transit agencies play a critical role in ensuring a brighter and more resilient future for everyone. She is committed to using performance measurement and continuous improvement to elevate the quality of DART’s mobility services for the benefit of everyone in North Texas. Despite her engineering training, Lee flexes her creative muscles in Adult Beginning Ballet several times a week and has participated in several performances.
Melissa Mullinax
Vice President
Business Development Officer
HNTB
Melissa Mullinax is a public affairs leader whose career has focused on amplifying minority voices across civic and transportation spaces. She currently serves as a Vice President at HNTB, where she works closely Atlanta’s contracting community to expand fair access to opportunities for DBEs, minority- and woman-owned businesses. She champions HNTB’s sponsorships of WTS, COMTO and HNTB’s landmark partnership with the Atlanta University Center Consortium’s dual degree engineering program.
Before joining HNTB, Mullinax was chief of staff and chief administrative officer at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), one of the nation’s largest transit systems and the 2024 American Public Transportation Association Transit Agency of the Year. In that role, she led key functions including Government Affairs, Marketing and Communications, and Labor Relations. Among her proudest accomplishments at MARTA, Mullinax counts award-winning initiatives like “MARTA Celebrates 50 Years of Hip Hop,” and the expansion of the Station Soccer program, transforming underused MARTA properties into hubs for youth development, community gardens, and health programming in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Ms. Mullinax previously served as Senior Advisor to Atlanta Mayors Keisha Lance Bottoms and Kasim Reed, counseling on legislative strategy, external relations, and major policy initiatives. Under Mayor Reed’s leadership, she played a central role in the annexation of Emory University, the city’s largest expansion in more than six decades, and the successful 2016 sales tax transit referendum that strengthened Atlanta’s transit future.
Earlier in her career, she co-founded and led The Edison Group, a public affairs firm advising a broad range of public, private, and nonprofit clients on legislative strategy, coalition building, and advocacy campaigns, including serving as Senior Advisor to the Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
Mullinax is a member of COMTO and WTS and serves on the Board of Directors of the WTS Foundation. A “Grady baby” and Atlanta native, she is a graduate of Agnes Scott College, a 2016 Leadership Atlanta alumna, and lives in Midtown with her husband and two children.
Anna Roach
Executive Director & CEO
Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)
Anna Roach is Executive Director & CEO of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), whose vision is to create One Great Region through its mission to foster thriving communities for all within the Atlanta region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments.
As Executive Director & CEO, Ms. Roach manages the agency’s $102 million operating budget and leads a talented team that works with local governments and community partners to improve life in the Atlanta region. ARC’s portfolio includes regional transportation planning, aging services, community development, water resources management, workforce development, and homeland security coordination.
In addition to her role as CEO, Roach is a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club, the International Women’s Forum Georgia, and the Women’s Transportation Seminar. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Leadership Atlanta, the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, the Leadership Council of the Board for Drawdown Georgia, the Executive Committee of the Board for Learn4Life, the board of the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, the board of Council for Quality Growth, and the board of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation
Roach has been named one of the 100 most influential Georgians by Georgia Trend, one of the 500 most powerful Atlanta leaders by Atlanta Magazine, and is one of Engineering Georgia’s top 100 Most Influential Women in Georgia Engineering.
Anna Roach holds the distinct honor of being the first woman CEO in the 75-year history of ARC. Prior to joining the organization, Ms. Roach served as Chief Operating Officer for Fulton County Government. Her earlier career as an attorney included roles in both the private and public sectors.
Roach holds a Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the State University of New York, College at Cortland.
Tanya Adams Transportation
Rhonda Briggins Transportation
Monica Backmon Public Transportation
Donna Berry, PE Public Transportation
Veronica O. Davis, PE Private Sector
Henrika Buchanan Private Sector
Veronica Castro de Barrera Private Sector
Cynthia Guidry Aviation
Nancy Pelosi Living Legend
Alva Carrasco Advocacy
Petra Mollet Advocacy
Vanessa E. Wyche Aeronautics
Regine Beauboeuf Private Sector
Jan Prysby Bryson Private Sector
Dr. Christine Darden Lifetime Achievement Award
Linda Darr Advocacy
Trudy Bartley Academia
Honorable Joyce Beatty
Shirley A. DeLibero Award
Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker Public Sector
Barbara Arens Private Sector
Rosa Beckett Aviation
Heather Berry Prvate Sector
Alice Bravo Public Sector
Daniella Levine Cava Advocacy
Nikki Frenney Transportation
Dr. Shelley Francis Innovation
Chief Gloria Frank Public Sector
Carmencita Mitchell Transit Board
Lori M.K. Kahikina Transit Coree Cuff Lonergan Transportation
Captain Zeita Merchant Maritime
Raquel Olivier Historically Underutilized Business
Joanna M. Pinkerton P.E Public Transportation
Carole Hopson Aviation
Dawn Tucker-Thomas Federal Government
Muriel Bowser Local Government
Latronia Durham Logistics
Shannetta Griffin Aviation
Julie Green Private Sector
Angie Rivera-Malpiede Public Sector
Helen McSwain Shirley DeLibero Award
Jannet Walker Ford Private Sector
Meshelle Howard Public Sector
Debra Johnson Public Sector
Jill Chen-Stober Chairman’s Eagle
Kim Day Aviation
Christy Hall State Government
Lisa Winston Hicks Private Sector
Yvonne Lopez-Diaz Transportation
Yetunde Olumide Transit
Rear Admiral, Ann C. Phillips Maritime
Yovannie Rodriguez, Esq. A.A.E Aviation
Lynda Tran Public Sector
Denise Turner Roth Private Sector
Veronica Vanterpool Public Sector
Trenelle Doyle Micro Mobility
Claire M. Williams Private Sector
Beverly J. Watts Public Sector
Verdenia C. Baker Public Sector
Anita Miller Public Transportation
Jennifer Mitchell State Government
Nicole Nason Federal Government
Gabriele Mack Private Sector
Elsa Ortiz Chairman’s Eagle Award
Ryland McClendon Public Sector
Donna McNamee Advocacy
Diana Mendes
Shirley A. DeLibero
Michelle Pourciau Public Sector
Dottie Watkins Transit
Evalynn Williams Small Business
Shirley A. DeLibero
Janice R. Thomas Transit
Charlotte Shaw Transit
Inez Evans Shirley DeLibero Award
Ari Jolly Public Transportation
Melissa Rolle-Scott Public Transportation
Michele Wong Krause Public Transportation
Kimberly Slaughter Shirley DeLibero Award
Suzanne Shank Private Sector
Mayor Sharon Weston Broome Local Government
J. Somer Shindler Aviation
Carol Wise Public Sector
Leslie Richards State Government
Stephanie Wiggins Public Sector
Diane Woodend-Jones Private Sector
Juanita Abernathy Lifetime Achievement
Margareth Bonds Chairman’s Eagle
Thella Bowens Labor
Kimberly Avery Chairman’s Eagle
Flora M. Castillo, C.H.I.E. Advocacy
Grace Crunican
Shirley A. DeLibero
Deborah Flint Aviation
India Birdsong Chairman’s Eagle
Chellie Cameron Aviation
Ann Dawson-August Public Transportation
Dr. Maya Angelou Lifetime Achievement
Kimberly Avery Chairman’s Eagle
Diane Babineaux Labor
Tracey Bessellieu
Shirley A. DeLibero
Gina F. Adams Private Sector
Rosemarie Andolino Aviation
India Birdsong Chairman’s Eagle
Anne P. Canby Advocacy
2012
Laura Barrett Advocacy
The Honorable Marion C. Blakey Aviation
Jane A. Chmielinski Private Sector
The Honorable Corrine Brown Lifetime Achievement
Ginger Evans Aviation
Greer Gillis U.S. Government
Sharon Greene Private Sector
Polly Hanson Rail
Bryna Helfer, Ph.D. Federal Government
Grindly Johnson State Government
Mary V. King Posthumous
Marcia Ferranto Advocacy
Carolyn Flowers U.S. Government
Deborah Hersman Multimodal
Grace Crunican
Shirley A. DeLibero
Dr. Barbara Gannon Academia
Jacqueline Hinman Private Sector
Catherine Hudgins Public Transportation
Helen L. Dale Shirley A. DeLibero
The Honorable Tammy Duckworth Lifetime Achievement
Carolyn Flowers U.S. Government
The Honorable Rina Cutler Local Government
Shirley DeLibero
Shirley A. DeLibero
The Honorable Nuria I. Fernandez Public Transportation
Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim State Government
Bertha Henry Legislator
Loretta Kirk Public Transportation
Feysan Lodde Private Sector
Valarie McCall, Ph.D. Public Sector
Margaret O’Meara Private Sector
Dr. Karen E. Philbrick Academia
Ysela Llort Public Transportation
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton Legislator
Cynthia Jones Parks Private Sector
The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson Legislator
Grindly Johnson State Government
Andrella Kenner Aviation
Gloria J. Jeff, AICP Highways
Ysela Llort Public Transportation
Joan McDonald State Government
Cheryl McKissack Daniel Private Sector
Nene Foxhall Aviation
The Honorable Camille M. Hazeur U.S. Government
Paula P. Hochstetler Aviation
Anne McNeill Academia
Terry Solís Advocacy
Leanne Redden Public Sector
The Honorable T. Bella Dinh Zarr, Ph. D., MPH Federal Government
Joy Rohadfox Private Sector
Polly Trottenberg State Government
Victoria Wassmer Aviation
Susan Kurland U.S. Government
Karen Rae State Government
Shelby Scales Advocacy
Deryl McKissack, PE, PMP Private Sector
Therese W. McMillan Federal Government
Polly Trottenberg State Government
The Honorable Grace Napolitano Legislator
Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D. Public Transportation
The Honorable Beverly L. Swaim-Staley Multimodal
Victoria Wassmer Aviation
Celebrating women who move the nation forward.
Congratulations to Caroline Decker and all of this year’s COMTO Women Who Move the Nation honorees — leaders whose vision, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence are shaping the future of transportation.
We are especially proud to celebrate Caroline’s leadership and the lasting impact she is making on our nation’s infrastructure.
Caroline Decker, MBA Chief Government Affairs Officer
Alabama
Charlotte Shaw
Arizona
Tony Santana
Atlanta
Kenyata Smiley
Austin
Yannis Banks
Boston
Aboubacar Konate
Central Florida
Iranetta J. Dennis
Chicago
Rovaughn Graham
Cincinnati
Sally Stewart-McKinnie
Cleveland
Daveda Bencs
Colorado
Rico Nelson
Columbus
Quincy J. Howard
Connecticut
Sharon Okoye
District of Columbia
Jeff Parker
Ft. Lauderdale
Annette Payne
Hampton Roads
J. Grace Fowler
Honolulu Hawaii
Roland "JR" Carino
Houston
Steve Granson
Jacksonville
Tsopie Trottie
Kansas City
Lindsay Francis
Louisiana
Jamal Smiles
Maryland
Oluseyi Olugbenle
Memphis
Avery Mull
Miami
Wade Jones Jr.
Michigan
Beverly Watts
Minnesota
Tekia Jefferson
Nashville
Kia Lewis
New York
Richard Watson
North Carolina
Ebony Pittman
North Texas
Gabriel Beltran
Northern California
DeNise Lynell Blake
Oregon/SW Washington
Coral Egnew
Palm Beach County
Ann McNeill
Philadelphia
Carrie Givhan
Pittsburgh
Jerimaine Ward
Richmond
Joe Dillard
San Antonio
Maurice Bridges
San Diego
Thet Htike
Southern California
Edna Stanley
St. Louis
Vivian Martain
Toronto & Region
Mavara Turab
Washington State
Grantley Martelly
July 25–28, 2026
Grand Hyatt, Washington D.C.
Join Us for North America’s premier gathering of professionals in the transportation industry!
COMTO’s annual conference brings together industry leaders across all modes of transportation for 4 days of learning, training, and networking.
The National Meeting & Training Conference is open to transportation professionals at all career levels, government employees, manufacturers and suppliers, and all interested participants. Scan the QR below or visit COMTO.org for details:
• Register to Att end the Con ference
• Be Seen! Exhibit & Mul tiple Sp onsorship Opp ortunities
• Nominate for Ind ustry Awards
• View the Call for Pa pers
• Hotel & Travel Inf ormation .. . an d Mor e!
July 25–28, 2026
Grand Hyatt, Washington D.C
Mission
To ensure transportation serves all by connecting stakeholders, developing leaders, and fostering an efficient multi-modal transportation ecosystem through training, advocacy, and partnerships.
Vision
To be the leading voice shaping a transportation network that is people centered, safe, resilient, innovative and a driver of economic prosperity.