Latinos In Transit (LIT) announced the graduation of class of 2024 from the Latinos In Transit Leadership Academy (LITLA) program. 

To honor this year’s class, LIT hosted a graduation ceremony and awards reception on September 14 during the Leadership Summit.

LIT's Graduating Class

Sponsored for a second year by WeDriveU, the event gathered emerging professionals and industry leaders to recognize the outstanding efforts aligned with LIT's mission. The reception program highlighted 31 Leadership Academy graduates and 10 scholarship recipients.

"LIT is incredibly proud to stand alongside and support the next generation of public transportation professionals. We are committed to expanding our programming and scholarship opportunities to continue to uplift and empower as many Latinos and other minorities in the industry as possible,” said LIT Executive Director Christina Villarreal.

The event commenced with a celebration of the 2024 graduates. 

LITLA's Success

Now in its third year, LITLA provides training and development opportunities to organizational members aspiring to grow within the transit industry. 

The academy's curriculum consisted of four tracks with five intensive professional development sessions focused on the specialized technical expertise required for advancement in the sector. As a culmination of their learnings, participants were required to complete a capstone presentation.

“WeDriveU’s partnership with Latinos In Transit reflects our shared passion for giving back and supporting future generations to achieve their highest potential,” said Erick Van Wagenen, president & CEO, WeDriveU. “It’s very special to help LIT celebrate this program’s success during Hispanic Heritage Month and cheer for WeDriveU’s three graduates and all the participants who represent the brightest in the transportation industry.”

Recognizing the Graduates

The LIT Board of Directors proudly announce and congratulate the LITLA Class of 2024, which include the following graduates:

New Careers in Transit

Karla Martinez Gallardo, TriMet; Madeline Saldana, Lane Transit District; Meliton Chaidez, DILAX Systems US; and 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, WeDriveU; Ruben Ledesma, WeDriveU; Sanskrit Singh, WSP; Edith Hernandez, SunLine Transit Agency; Eva Esquivel, HNTB Corporation; Lourdes L. Alvarez, Foothill Transit; Arantxa Contreras, Keolis; and Jessica Leon, SunLine Transit Agency.

Making of an Executive

Jonathan Javier, Keolis; Daniela Waltersdorfer, HNTB; Hector Vargas, MV Transportation; Jesse Soto, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority; Ruben E Mendoza, MV Transportation; and Luefras Robinson, WSP.

Transit Board Leadership

Ramiro Navarro, Salem Area Mass Transit District d/ba Cherriots; and Michael Guzman, Denver Regional Transit District.

Scholarship Recipients

Following the LITLA graduation ceremony, LIT continued with its scholarships and awards reception. In 2022, LIT initiated a scholarship program to support Latinos and other minorities in their pursuit of educational advancement. The scholarship's purpose is to create opportunities for underserved and/or underrepresented individuals pursuing degrees and/or certifications from accredited educational institutions in a public transit-related field of study. LIT collaborated with Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), the North American Transit Alliance (NATA), and Stacy Witbeck to secure additional funds for scholarship awards.

An evaluation committee selected 10 individuals for a scholarship. The 2024 scholarship recipients are:

• LIT/Stacy Witbeck Scholarship - Jorge Diaz-Gutierrez

• LIT/Stacy Witbeck Scholarship - Dominick Castro

• LIT/NATA Scholarship - Zachary Perez

• LIT/PRT Scholarship - Gema Martinez

• LIT/PRT Scholarship - Crystal Royval

• LIT/PRT Scholarship - Nicolas Uribe

• LIT Scholarship - Bernadette Armendariz

• LIT Scholarship - Merab Talamantes

• LIT Scholarship - Marcus Peoples

• LIT Scholarship - Michael Alvarado

Continuing Expansion

LIT continues to expand its programs to serve minorities across the U.S. 

To continue its mission, LIT's strategic plan focuses on increasing accessibility for advancement and development opportunities for its members. 

Planning for the 2025 Leadership Academy and scholarship program is already underway, and the organization invites those in the transit industry to become a member of the organization to take advantage of these opportunities. Those interested in contributing to the scholarship fund can visit LIT’s website.