Latinos In Transit Closes out Landmark Year in 2024: Leadership Transitions, Strategic Initiatives, and Membership Growth

Latinos In Transit (LIT) started 2024 with significant leadership changes and strategic initiatives aimed at advancing diversity, equity, and professional growth within the transit industry. The organization, dedicated to elevating Latinos and minorities in public transportation, welcomed Herold Humphrey as the new President, with Elizabeth Carter stepping in as Vice President. Eugenio Bonet will continue his work as Treasurer, while Megan Perrero takes on the role of Board Secretary. Additionally, the Board of Directors was expanded with the election of Dietter Aragon and Lina Aragon, whose expertise and insights bring fresh perspectives to LIT’s vision for the future.

In February 2024, under Humphrey's leadership, LIT established the Avanzando Workforce Task Force to tackle workforce challenges facing the transit sector. The task force is responsible for launching a series of in-person and virtual training sessions aimed at equipping LIT members with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate a rapidly evolving transit landscape. This initiative underscores LIT’s commitment to preparing Latino transit professionals for executive roles and impactful careers within the industry.

By March 2024, LIT’s Leadership Academy, now in its third year, launched with an innovative addition: a Board Transit Leader track, specifically designed to develop participants’ skills in board governance and strategic oversight. LITLA was facilitated by LIT Executive Director, Christina Villarreal. The program welcomed 36 participants during its orientation.

May 2024 saw LIT’s Board of Directors launching a comprehensive policy review and amendment process, enhancing organizational bylaws to better support LIT’s continued growth and the evolving needs of its members. This policy refinement aims to ensure that LIT remains a resilient, forward-thinking organization equipped to advocate for equity and inclusion in public transportation.

As the summer progressed, LIT’s active committees ramped up their efforts in July 2024 to implement the organization’s strategic plan, with a concentrated focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), led by Lina Aragon. This period also marked the beginning of planning for a new Employee Resource Group (ERG) committee, led Jose Felciano by to provide additional support and resources for minority professionals within the industry.

LIT’s hallmark Leadership Summit in September 2024 brought together over 271 attendees in Portland, Oregon. Hosted by TriMet, the sold-out event featured an impressive lineup, including the first-ever “Contigo” mentor pair-up program designed to introduce the upcoming 2025 mentorship initiative. The Summit was also the stage for the first live-streamed Café Con LIT, an interactive discussion on diversity in transit that was broadcasted to a national audience. Attendees participated in industry tours, intensive training sessions, and engaging discussions on workforce development and policy-making, while LIT also announced that Rio Metro Regional Transit District in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will host the 2025 Summit.

At the Leadership Summit, the Leadership Academy’s third cohort celebrated the graduation of 29 participants, marking a pivotal moment in LIT’s mission to provide professional development opportunities for Latino and minority transit professionals. Additionally, LIT awarded $40,000 in scholarships to members advancing their careers in the transportation sector, demonstrating its ongoing investment in the education and advancement of its community.

In October, Latinos In Transit proudly got its official trademark status, marking a milestone in the organization’s growth. This achievement has prompted a restructuring of affiliate events and communications policies, a strategic initiative led by Board Secretary Megan Perrero. These updates aim to standardize LIT’s branding and enhance its outreach, ensuring a consistent and impactful presence across all platforms and events.

Throughout 2024, LIT continued to see remarkable growth in its membership, prompting virtual and in person meetings with LIT Executive Director, Christina Villarreal and various organizational members across the country. Other efforts led by the organization's staff include the implementation of a new job board and a small business committee landing page to help support our small business members.

Ongoing programs such as Café Con LIT continued to thrive, with the monthly sessions doubling in registrant numbers by the year’s end. This growth signals LIT’s role as a vital platform for discussion, networking, and professional enrichment for Latino professionals and allies in public transportation.

As the organization closes out 2024, Latinos In Transit has laid the groundwork for another year of impactful work in 2025, furthering its mission of advancing Latino and minority professionals within the transit industry and beyond.