This interactive session is designed to empower individual transit professionals with practical AI tools they can use immediately to boost productivity. Through live demonstrations and real-time audience participation, you'll learn how to transform mundane daily tasks into automated workflows and turn information overload into actionable insights. Get hands-on experience with free AI solutions you can implement without IT approval and walk away with a personalized toolkit to reclaim hours in your workday.

• Introducer: Jannet Walker-Ford, Business Line Executive, Advisory and Planning, WSP
• Keynote Introduction: Paul Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association
• Keynote Speaker: Solomon Abiola, CEO, Guidance Technologies
• Closing Remarks:  Paul Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association

Get ready for a fun, fast-paced, and informative session featuring several dynamic speakers, offering perspectives from both transit agencies and businesses. This session promises to be an exciting showcase of cutting-edge ideas and creative solutions, providing a quick glimpse into the future of public transit. Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired and energized by the latest advancements!

Speakers:

• Anette Landeros, Chief Strategy Officer, Trinity Metro
• Ian Thistle, Manager, Ridership Analysis, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Scott Traum, Manager, Data and Research, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
• Elizabeth Wiesner, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement, MBTA
• Rob Bryans, Strategy and Partnerships Principal, Via
• John Weston, Executive Director Maintenance Operations, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet)
• Severin Skolrud, Emerging Tech Lead, Fleet & Facilities, WSP
• Jessie Rubin, Senior Manager of Performance & Innovation, BART

Master of Ceremonies:

• Angela Schwarz, National Transit and Rail Leader, WSP

This summit is a premier gathering for public transportation leaders, fostering an environment of collaborative problem-solving and idea exchange. Through a blend of insightful presentations, interactive workshops, and facilitated discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry pioneers, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to the challenges facing the sector. 

• Sponsor Remarks: Jannet Walker-Ford, Business Line Executive, Advisory and Planning, WSP
• Welcome: Paul Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association
• Featured Speaker: Maryam Allahyar, Associate Administrator for Research, Demonstration and Innovation, Federal Transit Administration

Then the keynote speaker, Libby Gill from Libby Gill & Company, delivers an inspiring message about creating a future-focused vision despite ongoing change. She shares her process for transforming insight and influence into lasting impact. With powerful stories, relevant case studies, and evidence-based strategies, she helps your organization reframe change as opportunity. Her takeaways guide your organization to:

• Master results-based strategies based on Libby's trademarked True Hope Process™ to "Clarify the Vision; Simplify the Pathway; Execute the Plan; and Review, Reflect, and Refine” for current and future success.
• Identify the personal Leadership Superpower that helps you guide others to be adaptable and innovative.
• Link beliefs (emotions) to behaviors (actions) to break down barriers and move yourself and your team past any obstacles in your path."

This session provides a national and global perspective on transformative megaprojects, highlighting the significant community impact they have. Project sponsors from various megaprojects will share their practical experiences in planning and delivering these large-scale initiatives. Discussions will cover the crucial elements of budgets, schedules, and funding, with a specific focus on how these projects are and will enhance the quality of life and enable economic growth in their respective regions.

Moderator:

• Monica G. Tibbits-Nutt, Secretary and CEO, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)

Panelists:

• Thomas Prendergast, CEO, Gateway Development Commission (GDC)
• Lori Kahikina, Chief Executive Officer, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation
• Kris Kolluri, President & CEO, New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ TRANSIT)
• Kevin Quinn, Chief Executive Officer, South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink)
• Olivier Francois, Chief of Staff, Île-de-France Mobilités

Introducer:

• Joel Young, Vice-Chair, APTA TBM Committee; and President of the Board of Directors, AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District)

Sponsor Remarks:

• Laurence Broseta, CEO, International, Keolis Group

TCRP Resources

• TCRP Report 208: Strategic Communications to Improve Support for Transit-Priority Projects: Report and Toolkit
• TCRP Report 131: A Guidebook for the Evaluation of Project Delivery Methods
• TCRP Synthesis 172: Statewide Approaches to the Development of Comprehensive Transit Information Systems

Get ready to kick-start APTA's TRANSform conference in Boston! Join industry peers for three days packed with learning and networking. The opening session will feature APTA leadership and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, setting the stage for the exciting content ahead. But that's not all! The opening session will also feature an important and thought-provoking message from our keynote speaker, Bert Jacobs.

• President's Welcome: Paul Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association
• Chair's Welcome: MJ Maynard-Carey, Chair, APTA; Chief Executive Officer, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
• Host Remarks: Thomas McGee, Chair of the MBTA Board of Directors, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
• Video Remarks: Governor Maura Healey
• Remarks: Monica G. Tibbits-Nutt, Secretary and CEO, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
• Remarks: Kim Driscoll, Lieutenant Governor
• Remarks: Leanne Redden, Vice Chair, APTA; Executive Director, Regional Transportation Authority
• Host Remarks: Phillip Eng, General Manager/CEO, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
• Keynote Introduction: Raymond Melleady, President, STER North America LLC
• Keynote Speaker: Bert Jacobs
• Sponsor Remarks: Ronnie Hakim, Sr VP & National Transit & Rail Market Sector Leader, HNTB Corporation

Please join us to hear from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

• Introduction: Leanne Redden, Vice Chair, APTA; Executive Director, Regional Transportation Authority
• Speaker: Marcus Molinaro, FTA Administrator, Federal Transit Administration

Celebrate the achievements of the industry’s finest individuals and organizations! Join us as we celebrate the achievements of the industry’s finest individuals and organizations. We will honor the “best of the best” of the public transportation industry during the awards. These winners are outstanding role models of excellence, leadership and innovation, whose accomplishments have greatly advanced public transportation.