Dave Biggs
Chief Executive Officer
MetroQuest
Dave is a die-hard champion of community engagement and has built a reputation for leading edge community outreach. He’s an internationally-recognized speaker, author, and public engagement strategist. Dave serves as an advisor on best practices for public involvement with planning agencies such as APA, FHWA, and TRB and public participation organizations such as IAP2 and NCDD.
Sessions:
Closing Keynote: Peer-to-Peer: The Planner’s Guide to Equity in Public Engagement
Dr. Shawn Wilson
Secretary
La DOTD
Dr. Shawn Wilson was appointed Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) by Governor John Bel Edwards in January of 2016 and is now serving as Secretary for a second term. He has more than 15 years of executive service at DOTD. Under his leadership thus far, DOTD has ushered in project finance and project innovations, including Public Private Partnerships and Construction Manager at Risk projects. During his tenure as Secretary, DOTD has awarded more than $4.6 billion in construction projects.
Dr. Wilson is Vice-Chair of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee and is the President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
Dr. Wilson earned a B.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Louisiana and holds a Master of Public Administration degree, as well as a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy at Southern University.
Shawn and his wife, Rocki, reside in Lafayette, they have two children, one son-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren.
Session: Keynote – Engaging Difficult to Reach Populations and EJ Communities
Brittani Kaim
Senior Manager, Communications and Public Involvement, Practice Development Manager and SW Texas Lead, U.S. Advisory Services
WSP
Brittani Kaim is an innovative communications professional with more than a decade of experience representing both public and private sector brands. Her expertise includes communications strategy, branding, digital marketing, media relations, and integrated campaign management. Brittani has developed and implemented successful communications programs for a variety of communities and public policy organizations, including Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority; Texas Department of Transportation; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Federal Highway Administration; and Arizona Department of Transportation to name a few. She led WSP’s Virtual Public Engagement business line for the Communications and Public Involvement Practice from 2020-2022 helping WSP clients pivot to completely virtual engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Session: The Building Blocks of Equitable Infrastructure
Gabi Brazzil
Senior Equity Consultant Equity Center of Excellence, US Advisory Services
WSP
Gabi Brazzil is a Senior Equity Consultant, project manager, and co-founder of the WSP Equity Center of Excellence with WSP. She specializes in equity services for public projects, supporting public agencies to develop operational and cultural practices to adopt and sustain equity, and project delivery services to guide equity goals and outcomes. Gabi’s experience spans transportation, housing, and water projects. Gabi trains and collaborates with technical experts to integrate equity and public input into budget allocation, environmental analysis, scenario development, and construction.
Session: The Building Blocks of Equitable Infrastructure
Melissa Uland
Senior Communications Specialist
WSP
Melissa Uland is a senior communications specialist for WSP with over 20 years of experience in communications and public involvement. Melissa specializes in graphics to support the community engagement process and her multifaceted approach focuses on the client, their message and the appropriate media channels to reach the target audience. Her experience with private entities, as well as local, state and national agencies, informs her insight into the strategic needs of her clients.
Session: The Building Blocks of Equitable Infrastructure
Michal Helman
Public Engagement and Equity Coordinator
WSP
Michal Helman is a Public Engagement and Equity Coordinator for WSP with 10 years of experience working in environmental resource management, public policy, and community engagement. Michal’s specializations include water resource management, environmental justice, and conflict resolution.
Session: The Building Blocks of Equitable Infrastructure
Nastasha Earle-Young
Statewide Initiatives Engineers
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
Project manager for the NCDOT Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan, Strategic Transportation Corridor Master Plans, assists with the Statewide Multimodal Freight Plan, manages the North Carolina Transportation Innovation Council, and a member of the NCDOT Core Resilience Team. During her career, she has gained experience working with federal, state, and local partners. She has 10 years in the industry and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Session: Removing Roadblocks to Equity and Inclusion: The NC Moves 2050 Story
Dominique Boyd
Transportation Engineer III
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
Dominique Boyd is a Transportation Engineer at the North Carolina Department of Transportation – Transportation Planning Division. He is responsible for the design, planning and development of local and municipal highways and other miscellaneous highway facilities. He’s had the privilege of working with several Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations across North Carolina as well as creating multiple Comprehensive Transportation Plans for the state.
Session: Removing Roadblocks to Equity and Inclusion: The NC Moves 2050 Story
Carol Henderson
Deputy Executive Director of Intergovernmental & Outreach
Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization
Carol Henderson, Deputy Executive Director of Government & Outreach with the Broward MPO, is a seasoned media professional with experience in communications. The bulb of her career was with The Walt Disney Company along with other iconic companies such as Coca-Cola and The Miami Dolphins. Prior to joining the Broward Metropolitan Planning Agency, she was with the startup of the first privately owned and operated intercity rail system, All Aboard Florida, and now Brightline.
Marc Friendlich
Market Director
South Florida Business & Wealth Magazine
As Market Director for Lifestyle Magazines and South Florida Business & Wealth Marc helps to connect business leaders throughout South Florida via Networking & Award’s Events, Video & Podcasts, Print, Digital & Social Media and Custom Thought Leadership Programs.
Marc’s extensive media-industry experience includes Head of Custom Publishing at The Wall Street Journal and Sales / Sales Management and Ad Director positions at other leading South Florida Media Leaders including Luxe Magazines and Florida Design.
Chester Britt
Executive Vice President
Arellano Associates
Chester Britt serves as the Executive Vice President and leader of the Tech Team for Arellano Associates. With over 33 years of experience, Chester’s efforts have focused on working with clients on strategic decision-making, creative outreach applications, and issue resolution across all phases of project development. Chester has served as an instrumental leader of the company’s growth since inception, focusing on technology, innovation, strategic communications, and cost-effective outreach tactics for a diverse set of clients.
Session: Innovative Outreach Methods for Bridging the Digital Divide
Edgar Gutierrez
Senior Project Manager
Arellano Associates
Edgar has 15 years of community relations and land use experience having worked on projects for various California public agencies. For Arellano Associates, Edgar provides premiere client services for urban and transportation planning projects, strategic communications, message development, inter-agency relations, stakeholder engagement, and project organization and implementation. He has exhibited the ability to relate to both public and private sector clients, as well as evaluate their needs and offer excellent “real-time” conventional and innovative solutions.
Session: Innovative Outreach Methods for Bridging the Digital Divide
Mary McIlvain
Communications Director
Morreale Strategic Communications
Serving as a Communications Director at Morreale Communications, Mary oversees several clients in the Transportation and Mobility and Infrastructure Divisions of the firm with the goal of delivering comprehensive communications strategies for clients within the Engineering, Construction and Architecture industries. A seasoned communications professional, she draws from her experience in strategic communications, public engagement and outreach, message and content development, and media relations. Prior to joining Morreale Communications in 2018, Mary worked for WGN-TV, Spotlight Marketing, and CBS Chicago. In addition to her communications experience, Mary also worked in the Naperville School District where she developed a passion for the education field, especially the growth of individuals in special education programs.
Session: Strategies for Engaging with Harder-to-Reach Communities
Berenice Alvarez
Vice President
Morreale Strategic Communications
Berenice directs and oversees a dedicated team of project managers, communications strategists and creative experts under the Division of Transportation and Infrastructure with the goal of delivering comprehensive and productive communications campaigns for clients within the Engineering, Construction and Architecture industries.
Berenice and her team develop communications and public involvement strategies that build diversity, equity and inclusion and increase awareness of client initiatives while soliciting community and stakeholder participation through traditional and digital tools including message development, community meetings, and digital and social media. Prior to joining Morreale Communications, Berenice worked at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Berenice developed and implemented public involvement and communications campaigns focused on economic development, transit-oriented development, zoning and housing issues.
Session: Strategies for Engaging with Harder-to-Reach Communities
Ann Cundy
Director of Transportation
Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission
A Virginia native with over 15 years of experience as a transportation planner, Ann Cundy has led the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission’s transportation planning program since 2013.
Session: Shifting the Paradigm on Public Engagement: Hybrid Models for a Post-Pandemic World
Ashley Dobson
Director of Operations and Strategic Communications
Avid Core
As the Director of Operations and Strategic Communications at Avid Core, Ashley Dobson’s work focuses on leading public outreach efforts to reach historically marginalized communities and Tribal Nations.
Session: Shifting the Paradigm on Public Engagement: Hybrid Models for a Post-Pandemic World
Norma Hogan
Director of Client Services
MetroQuest
Norma oversees the customer support and customer success teams. She has worked strategically with customers on hundreds of successful public engagement campaigns and continues to be excited to support customers in their online engagement efforts. Her focus is on the exciting work of customers in transportation and sustainability in the planning field.
Session: Closing Address: Strategies for Successful Equitable Surveys
Emily Margitan
Customer Success Manager
MetroQuest
As a primary contact for a subset of MetroQuest customers, Emily collaborates with software users to help them achieve their survey and broader engagement goals. Prior to her current role, Emily worked in public consultation and strategic communications, developing engagement plans and surveys for large infrastructure projects across British Columbia. She enjoys working closely with project teams to help them make the most of their MetroQuest surveys and has a particular interest in survey data analysis.
Session: Closing Address: Strategies for Successful Equitable Surveys
Gerard Penalosa
Customer Success Manager
MetroQuest
Gerard brings a creative approach in guiding customers towards developing successful surveys for public engagement. He achieves this by reviewing surveys through the lens of best practices and providing customer feedback while leaning on his years of work in design and user experience. He has extensive technical experience working in various tech industries, and troubleshooting is second nature to him. Gerard’s artistic eye allows him to visualize each customer’s potential and support them with success in mind as he guides them in their public engagement path and journey with MetroQuest.
Session: Closing Address: Strategies for Successful Equitable Surveys
Mike Walsh
Chief Executive Officer
MetroQuest
As the CEO of MetroQuest, Mike is focused on helping the firm continue to evolve its industry leading software to help drive exceptional customer outcomes in public engagement while managing the company’s continued transformation into a successful SaaS business.
Mr. Walsh has over 20 years of experience designing, developing and utilizing computer based learning and communications tools to engage citizens and stakeholders in the process of creating sustainable, livable cities and regions.
As one of the company’s founders and the chief architect of MetroQuest, Mr. Walsh has been instrumental in evolving the MetroQuest technology from an early prototype into a web-delivered, software as a service, stakeholder engagement platform.
Charlotte Bergman
Senior Developer in Product
MetroQuest
Charlotte oversees the maintenance of the MetroQuest product and releases of new features and updates. As a senior software developer, she strives for dynamic solutions and quality features that support customer needs and priorities. She upkeeps the backend and servers to ensure the Survey platform is available, reliable, and free of bots. Researching best practices and implementing them into the product are among her passions.
Charlotte received her bachelor’s degree at UBCO in computer science and mathematics. She now is based in Vancouver and holds 5+ years experience in designing software to support equitable outreach.
Clarice Yuen
Team Lead Developer in Product
MetroQuest
Clarice Yuen brings nearly a decade of experience in software and web development as the Team Lead Developer. She has worked for a variety of different companies including fast-paced startups, agencies and software corporations. Her design-minded approach to front-end development allows her to build applications that are usable and functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing. She is passionate about improving user experience and workflows and constantly strives for better usability in MetroQuest surveys.
Clarice holds a Bachelor degree in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia and was born and raised in Vancouver. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants and staying active.
Session: Welcome: Equity and Equality using MetroQuest
Theresa McClure
Transportation Strategic Communications Director
HDR
Theresa draws on nearly 20 years of experience to help our teams and clients tailor their communications strategies to manage the social and political risks associated with implementing community-focused transportation programs. She leads organizations through their most difficult challenges by protecting and improving brand image, increasing recognition, and gaining public and political buy-in. Primarily focused on providing holistic solutions for our transportation clients, Theresa supports our full-service strategic communications program, which includes 130 practitioners in 24 areas.
Session: Keynote: The Myths About Virtual Public Engagement
Nora Madonick
CEO and Founder
Arch Street Communications
Nora Madonick, ASC Founder and CEO, is a seasoned communications strategist recognized for research-based awareness and engagement programs on issues that matter to Americans—energy, transportation, jobs and the environment. Nora has delivered project communication and marketing strategy to public and private sector initiatives for over 30 years. A graduate of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, Nora completed graduate studies at Fairfield University and Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Session: Establishing Accountability in Today’s Hybrid Public Engagement
Vinson Sanders
Deputy Director of Digital
Arch Street Communications
Vinson Sanders has over a decade of experience in digital marketing for government and non-profit organizations. Vince uses his digital strategy expertise to develop innovative ways to reach audiences, move messages, and drive action. Among his accomplishments, Vince drove monthly views over 310 million for Brut America, catapulted digital attention for the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and advanced a digital campaign for Columbia University that resulted in 8,300 COVID-19 vaccinations.
Session: Establishing Accountability in Today’s Hybrid Public Engagement
Sue Christiansen
Supervisor of Media & Public Engagement
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)
Sue Christiansen is the supervisor over media and public engagement for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). In her role, she oversees media relations and community engagement initiatives for public transportation, traffic management, roadway planning and funding and public bike share. Her team of project managers develop public information campaigns that encompass all aspects of communication including media relations, social media, public engagement, marketing and advertising, government affairs and branding.
With nearly 24 years of public information experience, Christiansen began her career at The Firm, a local public relations agency, and served as a senior public information officer for Atkins North America where she oversaw regional engagement campaigns for the City of Henderson, Nevada Department of Transportation, and the RTC of Southern Nevada.
Originally from New Hampshire, Christiansen received her Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Communications with a minor in Business from Brigham Young University. She has made Southern Nevada her home, developing a passion for transportation and public service and enjoying time in the desert with her husband and four sons.
Session: Data-Driven Community Engagement: The Power Behind using the Right Tools
Daniel Fazekas
Manager Transportation Planning
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)
Daniel Fazekas is a Principal Planner at the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), where he is involved in a variety of transportation and regional planning studies that includes the Maryland Parkway Corridor TOD Plan, the Southern Nevada HOPE Study and the On Board Mobility Plan. Prior to joining the RTC in 2016, Fazekas helped create Southern Nevada’s regional sustainability plan called Southern Nevada Strong.
Before moving to Southern Nevada in 2012, Fazekas was a planner at Oklahoma City and a transportation planner at the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG). He holds a Bachelor degree in Geography and a Master degree in Regional City Planning from the University of Oklahoma. Danny was born and raised in Buffalo, New York.
Session: Data-Driven Community Engagement: The Power Behind using the Right Tools
Christine Edwards
Founder and Principal Consultant
Civility Localized
Christine Edwards is a civic firebrand that has immersed herself in helping urban communities reach their highest levels of growth and success. She founded Civility Localized (formerly known as Amplify Consulting) in 2018, to deliver community engagement services and resources for small businesses. Christine earned her MPA with a concentration in Urban Management and Policy from UNC Charlotte. Christine volunteers, enjoys southern food and loves seeing urban policy theory play out in daily life.
Session: Utilizing Vision Zero Principles to Engage Diverse Communities: Charlotte’s Safer Streets Survey Case Study
Khrystle Bullock
Community Engagement Project Manager
Civility Localized
Khrystle is a public health practitioner with experience in health disparities research, environmental justice and community engagement. She received her B.S. in Public Health from UNC Charlotte and a M.S. in Neuroscience with a concentration in health disparities from Wake Forest University. She has 5 years of project management experience across government, academia, and grassroots sectors. Her philosophy is “one must see themselves as a member of the community rather than a spectator”.
Scierra Bratton
Vision Zero Community Coordinator
Charlotte Department of Transportation
Scierra Bratton is a communications leader with over 10 years of experience across diverse industries. Scierra earned a B.A. in Media Studies with a concentration in News & Documentary from UNC Greensboro and a M.A. in Communication from Queens University of Charlotte. As a Charlotte native, it is her honor to manage media and public relations, communications, and community engagement for Vision Zero Charlotte, prioritizing increased safety, health and mobility for all residents and visitors.
Angela Berry
Traffic Safety and Vision Zero Program Manager
Charlotte Department of Transportation
Speaker Bio Coming Soon
Susanna Haas Lyons
Civic Engagement Specialist
Susanna Haas Lyons Consulting
Susanna Haas Lyons is a civic engagement specialist. She designs participation strategies, facilitates complex meetings, and provides training for better conversations between the public and decision-makers. Bridging online and face-to-face methods, she has worked for almost 20-years on large and complex citizen and stakeholder engagement projects across North America. Susanna teaches public participation skills for government, at post-secondary institutions and for professional learners. She is also a judge for Canada’s International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) annual awards that recognize excellence and innovation in public participation. susannahaaslyons.com
Session: Digital Engagement Tools for the Whole Participation Spectrum
Ryan Adamson
Engagement Specialist
WSP
Ryan Adamson is an Engagement Specialist at WSP USA with over eight years of experience engaging communities in meaningful conversations on a range of transportation projects in Canada and the United States. Ryan applies a diversity, equity and inclusion lens to engagement programs that reduce participation barriers and produce outcomes that reflect community diversity. He recognizes the value of collaborating with clients to build lasting relationships, mutual respect, and trust with the communities they serve.
Session: Bridging the Gap: An Equitable Approach to Hybrid Engagement
Chris Simek
Associate Research Scientist
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Chris’ work and experience focuses in the areas of travel surveys to support urban planning policy. Since 2000, Chris has been involved in the management, design, and/or analysis of dozens of travel behavior surveys. across the United States and Canada. Chris’ professional interests include project management, public opinion research, travel behavior, survey and sample design, weighting and expansion, statistical analysis, and, most recently, transportation public policy. Chris is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Session: Virtual Public Engagement at Texas MPOs: Into the Future
Tina Geiselbrecht
Senior Research Scientist
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Tina is a Certified Public Participation Professional, CP3 from the International Association for Public Participation. Tina’s research focuses on innovation in the public involvement process. She supports agencies in conducting meaningful public engagement to facilitate transportation planning and policy decision-making. Tina leads research on at the local, state and national level that explore public opinion through the use of surveys, stakeholder interviews and focus groups. Tina also examines the effectiveness of public engagement processes through systematic evaluation. Her research helps agencies engage the public in decision-making and helps the public to understand their role in transportation and how changes in the system may impact their lives.
Session: Virtual Public Engagement at Texas MPOs: Into the Future
Robert MacDonald
Transportation Planning Director
Corpus Christ, TX MPO
Rob has served in a variety of public and private transportation engineering and planning assignments over his 30-plus year career. He has directed multifaceted regional councils of governments and metropolitan planning organizations with diverse memberships including local governments, state and federal agencies, military installations, business associations, Native American Tribes and non-profit groups. Within the range of his assignments, he has managed capital improvement programs for cities and regions, directed national award-winning regional transportation planning processes and planned and designed a variety of transportation infrastructure projects.
Rob has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston. He is registered Professional Engineer in Texas and Colorado.
Rob grew up in the Boston area, lived and worked in Colorado for 28 years, and since April 2019, has been the Transportation Planning Director for the Corpus Christi MPO. (That’s in Texas y’all!!)
Session: Virtual Public Engagement at Texas MPOs: Into the Future
Bryan McBride
Transportation Planning Manager, MPO Director
Longview, TX
A Longview native, Bryan serves as the director of the Longview MPO. Part of his duties is to represent the voices of the constituents that reside in the Longview MPO boundary; as it relates to planning roadways and meeting the community’s infrastructure needs. Making community’s voices heard at the local, state, and federal levels. Before taking on this role, Bryan worked for the City of Longview as a Land Use Planner for three years. Bryan holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from UT Tyler and a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology from Texas A&M University. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his wife and spending time with family and friends.
Session: Virtual Public Engagement at Texas MPOs: Into the Future
Sonia Jiménez
Deputy Director,
Alamo Area MPO
Sonia has over 20 years specializing in consulting and managing business operations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UTSA and her Juris Doctor (law degree) from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida. Prior to joining the Alamo Area MPO in July 2021, Sonia worked in the private sector providing expertise in public involvement, strategic planning, and facilitation for clients and managing her family’s small business operations. She is currently the Deputy Director at AAMPO. In this role, she oversees the key planning efforts for the agency by working with the Planning, GIS, and Travel Demand Modeling Departments.
Session: Virtual Public Engagement at Texas MPOs: Into the Future
Brigida Gonzalez
TxDOT Transportation Planner/MPO Coordinator
TxDOT
Brigida Gonzalez joined TxDOT’s Transportation Planning and Programming Division in 2018 as an MPO Coordinator. Her 35-year career in transportation includes 11 years of service at an MPO where she participated in a full spectrum of planning opportunities that range from long-range to short-range planning, bike & ped planning, freight, and resiliency . . . just to name a few.
Her 17 years in transit planning, contracts administration, and operations have proven invaluable in providing a solid transportation foundation. Brigida earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. Brigida and her husband Ruben have two adult sons and the most spectacular grandbabies, Selena Rae and baby Bowie!
Session: Virtual Public Engagement at Texas MPOs: Into the Future
Eric Kopinski
I-270 North Project, Deputy Director
Missouri DOT
As Deputy Director for MoDOT’s I-270 North Project, Eric Kopinski is known for his willingness to step into uncharted territory and apply innovative solutions to both traffic management and customer service. This spirit has been evident throughout each phase of his career with MoDOT beginning in 2009. Eric has earned a reputation as a courageous innovator and progressive thinker, leaving his mark on every project that he has been a part of.
On the I-270 North Project, Eric’s has helped bring about positive outcomes by encouraging teamwork and collaboration throughout all phases of the work; demonstrating his commitment to achieving transformational project outcomes. His impactful leadership helped the team develop and implement award-winning creative and innovative strategies that improved traffic management, addressed COVID-19 limitations early in the project, and ultimately helped to build long-term community ownership and buy-in of the work. His partnership with the project’s Communications staff, helped build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, business owners, community leaders and residents, creating a sense of project ownership throughout the project area.
Nina M. Thompson
I-270 North Project, Communications Coordinator
Missouri DOT
Nina Thompson has 25+ years of strategic public relations and engagement experience developing/implementing successful community, social marketing, political, and legislative strategies. Areas of expertise include relationship facilitation, message development, speech, newspaper and magazine writing, and issues management for businesses, state and local agencies, political campaigns, and community organizations.
As Communications Coordinator for MoDOT’s $278 million I-270 North Project, she has leads development and implementation of public engagement strategies, earning agency, state, and national awards.