February 23, 2024 [Covia, CA] - Latinos In Transit (LIT) has selected the participants for the 2024 Leadership Academy, a program that allows transit professionals to learn about management practices, finance, procurement, labor relations and regulatory compliance. 

This year, LIT’s Leadership Academy (LITLA) is divided into four different development tracks: Making of An Executive, Leading in Middle Management, Transit Board Leadership, and New Careers in Transit. The 35 participants selected represent the public and private sector from across the country. 

"We eagerly extend our warmest welcome to the 35 LITLA participants embarking on their journey through the 2024 academy,” said Christina Villarreal, executive director, LIT and LITLA program coordinator. “Embracing diversity in transportation, we anticipate their transformative growth during this immersive experience. With great anticipation, we await the unveiling of their impactful capstone projects at the 2024 Leadership Summit in Portland, Oregon.” 

Each track consists of five modules, with each module occurring once a month for five months starting in April 2024. Modules will be taught virtually by industry leaders. Participants must complete a team project and presentation to graduate from the academy. Presentations will be made at the 2024 Leadership Summit in Portland, Oregon, on Friday, September 13. LIT encourages anyone who is interested to attend the ceremony. Registration opens Monday, February 26.

The 2024 LITLA Class participants for each track are:

New Careers in Transit

Karla Martinez Gallardo, TriMet

Madeline Saldana, Lane Transit District

Meliton Chaidez, DILAX Systems US

Melissa Martinez, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority 

Leading in Middle Management

Francis Rodriguez, Houston-Galveston Area Council

Marcela Moreno, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Brian Ramirez, WeDriveU

Lourdes Melissa Gomez, Sound Transit

Dioselyn Ayala-Moreno, SunLine Transit Agency

Cristobal Villegas, Jr., Utah Transit Authority

Nelson Valle, Transdev

Gaston Eugenio Kelly, Uber Technologies

Yanior Concepcion, Transdev

Matthew Nakano, Foothill Transit

Elizabeth Zambrano, Access Services

Maria Cristina Hallner, National Express Transit Corporation

Rick Ramirez Diaz, Keolis

Ruben Ledesma, WeDriveU

Sanskrit Singh, WSP

Jocelin Padilla, Long Beach Transit

Edith Hernandez, SunLine Transit Agency

Eva Esquivel, HNTB Corporation

Lourdes L. Alvarez, Foothill Transit

Arantxa Contreras, Keolis

Jessica Leon, SunLine Transit Agency

Making of an Executive

Juan R Guillermo, MeVa Transit

Jonathan Javier, Keolis

Daniela Waltersdorfer, HNTB

Hector Vargas, MV Transportation

Jesse Soto, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Juan A Lopez, MV Transportation

Ruben E Mendoza, MV Transportation

Luefras Robinson, WSP

Transit Board Leadership

Ramiro Navarro, Salem Area Mass Transit District d/ba Cherriots

Michael Guzman, Denver Regional Transit District 

Now in its third year, the LITLA Committee plans to implement new strategies to catapult the success of the program to expand its opportunities for Latinos and other minorities in the transit sector.