Dave Biggs
Chief Executive Officer
MetroQuest
Speaker Bio Coming Soon
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
Paulina Lopez
Communications and Public Involvement Specialist
WSP
Based in San Antonio, Texas, Paulina brings Federal Government and Public Affairs experience to WSP’s Communications and Public Involvement Team.
Most recently, Paulina served as Technical Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau where she led multi-state logistics operations in addition to public involvement initiatives that ensured a comprehensive 2020 Census count. Paulina has also worked as a policy advocate to leverage opportunities for the U.S.-Mexico border through partnerships with local, state, and federal entities, which included bringing water and green energy infrastructure projects to local communities.
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
Speaker Bio Coming Soon
Marc Friendlich
South Florida Business & Wealth Magazine
Speaker Bio Coming Soon
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 Growing 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 Growing 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
Mike Walsh
Chief Executive Officer
MetroQuest
Speaker Bio Coming Soon
Theresa McClure
Transportation Strategic Communications Director
HDR
Speaker Bio Coming Soon
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
Craig Casper
Senior Transportation Planner
Corpus Christ, TX MPO
Craig Casper has 30 years of experience with all levels of transportation planning. His focus is on communication and customer outreach that he learned as National NEPA Director for an international Transportation Planning firm. In his experience it is necessary for transportation customers to shape the transportation system they purchase with their tax dollars. This is especially true for populations that have traditionally not been consulted. He believes that professionals cannot allow people who understand the system, or who voice their concerns most loudly, most often, or most articulately, to wield disproportionate influence. Transportation decision-makers must also accept that in a diverse community there will be dissent and disagreement. Seeking consensus is not realistic, instead achieving informed consent should be the desired outcome.
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
Clifton Hall
Transportation Planning Program Manager
Alamo Area MPO
Clifton Hall joined AAMPO in March 2020 as Regional Transportation Planner after serving as a transportation planner for NCTCOG, the MPO for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Clifton graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Geography before earning a Masters of Urban Planning from the University of Kansas in 2015. Clifton’s work has focused on congestion management and performance-based planning. He is thrilled to lead AAMPO’s transportation performance management efforts while integrating performance-based planning into the TIP, MTP, and other long- and short-range planning studies.
In July 2022, he was promoted to Transportation Planning Program Manager and now oversees the public involvement efforts, transportation demand management strategies and bike and pedestrian planning initiatives.
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
Speaker Bio Coming Soon
Session: Inclusive, People-Centered Engagement to Gain Community Ownership
Nina M. Thompson
I-270 North Project, Communications Coordinator
Missouri Department of Transportation (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.
Session: Inclusive, People-Centered Engagement to Gain Community Ownership
Norma Hogan
Director of Client Services
MetroQuest
Speaker Bio Coming Soon