Speakers

Our speakers bring a wealth of knowledge from various parts of the transportation industry, both the public and private sector alike. They are incredibly excited to share their career insights with everyone at the 2025 Student Leadership Summit!

Click on each presentation category/title for more details!

Technical Presentations

Welcome Address

Banquet Keynote

Professional Panelists

Workshops

Technical Presentations

Expanding Rail Transit to Connect Communities

Rail transit is in high demand with growing populations and the need for sustainable transportation in the southern California region. HNTB is contributing to this need through our work on CA High Speed Rail, LA Metro Eastside Extension, LAWA and Metrolink projects in addition to many other transformative projects to help CA expand its transit network.

Michael Torsiello

Transit Group Director, HNTB

Michael currently oversees HNTB’s Los Angeles Office transit portfolio of projects and staff as the Transit Group Director and he also serves as the Design Manager for HNTB’s work on the Preliminary Engineering of Metro’s Eastside Phase 2 Transit Corridor project. He has extensive background in geotechnical engineering, tunnel design and the management of LRT/HRT system design. Michael has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Geotechnical Engineering from Tufts University.

Codie Davis

Rail/Transit Senior Project Manager, HNTB

With nearly 14 years of experience in the design and construction of major transportation projects, Codie is currently supporting LA Metro’s Eastside Phase II and the California High Speed Rail Authority’s LGA projects. Codie most recently served as the Project Manager of LA Metro’s Westside Purple Line Extension Section 3 project and held various roles over his 13 years on the project including Lead ROW Engineer and BIM/CAD Manager. Codie has a BS degree from UC Berkeley in Civil Engineering and a MS degree from Stanford University in Construction Engineering and Management.

Mario Garcia-Gillespie

Rail/Transit Project Engineer, HNTB

Multi-disciplinary transit engineer with experience in Mega rail, underground construction, and super structures. He has also worked on intersection improvement, communication, striping, ITS, freeway rehabilitation and widening projects which included overhead signs and electrical design. Currently, Mario is working on the CA High Speed Rail project from Shafter to Bakersfield and a light rail LA Metro project which extends the L (Gold) Line east to Montebello. In 2016, he graduated from Cal Poly Pomona (CPP) and led the ITE SLS hosted by CPP.

Mobility Justice

A primer of mobility justice and transportation equity, with an overview of Mobility Unbound, a new initiative focused on translated mobility justice principles that will be translated into policy.

Adonia Lugo

Equity Research Manager, UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies

Cultural anthropologist Adonia E. Lugo (she/hers) lives and works in traditional and unceded Tongva territory (Los Angeles). Adonia is Equity Research Manager at the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies and serves on the California Transportation Commission (2022-2026).

Special Event and Emergency Traffic Operations in Metropolitan Environments

Explore strategies for managing traffic flow during large-scale events and emergencies in urban areas. This talk highlights the integration of technology, coordination between agencies, and effective communication to ensure public safety and minimize congestion.

Brandon Wilson

Senior Director of Transportation, Infrastructure Projects, Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

As the Senior Director of Transportation Infrastructure Projects for the City of Los Angeles, Brandon leads the coordination and execution of major multimodal transportation projects. His expertise spans operational management, infrastructure planning, emergency preparedness, strategic planning, budget and resource management, regulatory compliance, performance monitoring, technology integration, and team leadership. Brandon's passion for surfing, snowboarding, and outdoor living fuels his commitment to creating a sustainable transportation environment.

Pico Rivera's Urban Renaissance: A Vision for a Multimodal, Climate Adaptive, and Economically Vibrant Future for All

By advancing and leveraging a new Metro light rail station, a new 28-mile bus rapid transit line, and a new regional rail station, the City of Pico Rivera is graduating from a quintessential car-centric local community to a regionally significant transit-oriented destination city. The Pico Rivera 2035: Community Revitalization Program (PR 2035) is a proactive, comprehensive framework designed to stimulate holistic, smart, and long-term community development and economic prosperity. Strong coalition building combined with strategic policy development and advanced planning and programming has positioned Pico Rivera to master plan a formal yet dynamic downtown, a vibrant uptown, and lively river fronts with all new mixed-use, urban-style development that integrates higher levels of density, a sports and entertainment district, a micro-EV manufacturing zone and innovation business cluster, a multimodal hub, regional parks and open space, and unique community design that captures the essence of the areas history, culture, and future vision.

Javier Hernandez

Director of Innovation & Communications, City of Pico Rivera

Javier harnesses change to drive community prosperity, co-founding BikeSGV, a non-profit, then served as a transportation and economic development deputy to an LA County Supervisor. He is currently master planning a vibrant downtown, dynamic uptown, lively riverfronts, and a national manufacturing zone in Pico Rivera. He has a BA in business from CSU Fullerton and an urban planning master’s from USC.

Workshops

Effective Communication in the Intergenerational Workplace

Effective communication in today’s workplace requires an understanding of generational differences and emotional intelligence. Not everyone communicates the same way…this goes for young professionals as well as seasoned veterans. This interactive workshop will touch on selecting the right communication tools, developing awareness regarding how you are perceived, and anticipating the outcome of your communication choices.

Cathy Leong

Director of Transportation, Wilson Okamoto

Cathy is the Director of the Transportation Group at Wilson Okamoto Corporation. She holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and is a registered engineer in Hawaii. Cathy has served at every leadership level within ITE, recently serving as the Western District International Director from 2019-2021 and currently serving as the District LAC Committee Chair for the Western District.

Mark Spencer

Managing Principal, W-Trans

Mark is a Senior Principal and President at W-Trans and also manages the W-Trans Oakland office. He holds a B. Eng. in Civil Engineering from McGill University, an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and is registered in California as a Traffic Engineer. Mark has served at every leadership level within ITE, most recently serving as the Western District International Director from 2021-2023.

Getting to a Yes: Transportation Stakeholders and Engagement

Learn more about how public agencies work together with various stakeholders amid competing interests to deliver mobility improvements in the public right of way.

Julia Brown

Director, Community Relations, UCLA

Ms. Julia Brown joined UCLA Government and Community Relations in September 2023 as Director of Community Relations. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Ms. Brown received her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a minor in Spanish from the University of Southern California, and later went on to receive a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration, with an emphasis in Urban Affairs from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master’s degree in Political Management from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

James Shahamiri

Director of Engineering, LA Metro

James is a transportation engineer and leads the Speed & Reliability program at Los Angeles Metro. He oversees improvements such as bus lanes, signal priority, bus bulbs and boarding islands, and other operational improvements to prioritize transit through congested corridors and intersections.

A Complete Look at Complete Streets: Safer, More Inclusive Streets for All

Join CR Associates to explore the principles and practices of Complete Streets, a design approach prioritizing safety, accessibility, and mobility for all road users. Collaborate with colleagues to analyze real-world examples and apply your new insights to create safer, more inclusive streets for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists.

Cristian Belmudez

Traffic Engineer, CR Associates

Cristian is a traffic engineer with six years of experience improving transportation across Southern California. He collaborates on diverse projects, including traffic studies for new developments, complete street design, and corridor plans to enhance safety and mobility. Passionate about community engagement, he translates complex engineering concepts for the public and actively participates in the City Heights Built Environment Team to improve transportation options in his own neighborhood. In his free time, Cristian enjoys exploring the region by bike, including trips across the border.

Caila Camerino

Civil Engineer, CR Associates

Caila is a transportation designer with over 2 years of experience since graduating from Cal Poly SLO in 2022. She has prepared plans for various active transportation and complete streets projects involving road diets, bike lanes, and multi-use trails

Joey Watson

Civil Engineer, CR Associates

Joey is a recent Cal Poly grad with experience focusing mostly in design of traffic elements for new developments and active transportation projects. He aims to use his knowledge to continue to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation in Southern California.

Reimagining Westwood Blvd: An Introduction to Active Transportation Planning

Learn the basics of transportation planning through an interactive workshop focused on reimagining Westwood Boulevard in the Westwood Village. Participants of the workshop will gain an understanding of how to reconfigure a street to promote walking, biking, and transit using real world conditions and constraints.

Matthews Criboli

Planner, LADOT

Matthews currently works for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation as transportation planning associate with the Active Transportation Division. He is a recent graduate of UCLA's Masters of Urban and Regional Planning program with a concentration on Transportation Planning and Policy, received his bachelors in Aerospace Engineering from UCI, and was the president of UCI's ITE student chapter during the 2021-2022 academic year. He is passionate about all things transportation, especially buses, trains, walking, and of course bikes.

Housing and Transportation: Equitable Transit-Oriented Development and the Sepulveda Transit Corridor

Investments in public transit often provide enormous economic, environmental, and societal benefits. Rail and bus rapid transit stations may give nearby residents and workers a convenient and climate-friendly alternative to sitting in traffic. However, very few Californians live within walking distance of a rapid transit station, and the anticipation of a planned station often acts as a catalyst for real estate speculation, increased rents, and development interests that may not serve community needs. Using the planned Sherman Way station on Metro’s Sepulveda Transit Corridor as a case study, this workshop focuses on processes and policies that would distribute public transit benefits equitably and prevent transit-induced gentrification and displacement.

Winnie Fong

Principal, Estolano Advisors

Winnie Fong (she/her) leads the Equitable Economic Development and Mobility Justice practice at Estolano Advisors, specializing in housing and transit-oriented policies and initiatives. In 2020, she was recognized as Stratiscope’s Impact Maker to Watch. Winnie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from California State University, Sacramento and a Master of Planning with a concentration in transportation planning from the University of Southern California.

Riley O'Brien

Senior Analyst, Estolano Advisors

Riley O’Brien (he/him) leads spatial and quantitative data analysis at Estolano Advisors, where he also manages projects focused on transportation equity, environmental justice, and housing affordability. Riley holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from UCLA and a BA/BS dual degree in Economics and Environmental Sciences from UC Berkeley.

Traffic Management & Control

Congestion is a chronic problem in our urban areas, but we have the tools and the technology to fix it now with Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Active Traffic and Demand Management. In this workshop session, we’ll learn about two proven cutting-edge strategies for addressing congestion: adaptive traffic signal control for streets, and demand-based pricing for highways.

Robert Campbell

Director, ExpressLanes, LA Metro

Robert is a director at LA Metro in the ExpressLanes group where he oversees day-to-day roadside operations on I-10 and I-110 along with future implementation of the I-105 toll system. He got his Ph.D. from the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Berkeley in 2012, and worked previously as an R&D engineer and Intelligent Transportation Systems consultant before joining Metro in 2017.

Brandon Wong

Transportation Engineering Associate III, LADOT

(ATSAC Signal Timing Project Delivery)

Brandon is a Transportation Engineering Associate III at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT). He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona, an M.S. in Civil Engineering (Transportation Engineering) from the University of Southern California, and is registered in California as a Traffic Engineer. Brandon has been involved with ITE at the district, section, and chapter levels, previously serving as a chapter president and currently serving on a district committee and as a section president.

Mixer Keynote

Matthew Crow

Deputy Executive Officer, LA Metro

For the last decade at LA Metro, Matthew has been involved with development and implementation of underground rail transit projects, including planning, engineering and project management, recently he was Deputy Project Manager for Section 3 of the Purple Line Extension. Matthew started his civil engineering career with a consulting engineers in the UK working on the planning design and construction of projects for natural gas, sewers, highways, electricity cables and rail transit and then moved to the USA performing construction management of stormwater and sewer tunnels, including the ECIS Mega Sewer Tunnel in Los Angeles. He is active in the profession serving on the Executive Committee of the Underground Construction Association and the Advisory Board to the Dean of Engineering at Cal State University, Los Angeles.

Welcome Address

Vyki Englert

Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Compiler

Vyki Englert is a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Compiler, where her work has included serving as an ambassador for the state’s open data program, developing web applications for clients in the public sector, and hosting the popular Data and Donuts and School of Data events in Los Angeles. By night she’s a co-founder of Policy Club, a small group of volunteers publishing data analysis and advocating for smarter CA state policy. She previously served as a member of Code for America’s National Advisory Council, and is an advisor to govtech startup CityGrows.

Banquet Keynote

Tina Backstrom

Senior Director of Transportation, Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

Tina Backstrom is a seasoned transportation and sustainability professional with over 25 years of experience. At the City of Los Angeles' Mayor’s Office of Infrastructure, she leads transportation policy, collaborating with key entities like LA Metro and LADOT. Previously, at Los Angeles World Airports, Tina managed sustainable initiatives, including mobility policy and renewable energy projects. With a background in transit operations and project management at LADOT, she has been instrumental in enhancing transportation services within the city. Tina's commitment to professional development and community engagement underscores her dedication to shaping the future of urban mobility and sustainability.

Professional Panels

Los Angeles 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games

Daniel Rodman

Director of International Events, Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

Daniel Rodman serves as Director of International Events in the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, where he leads the Mayor’s International Events team and works collaboratively to deliver mega-events that are open to all Angelenos, maximize opportunities for local businesses, and invest in permanent green infrastructure. Previously, Dan served as Deputy Director of Transportation for the LA Mayor’s Office and as a social worker with Street to Home Manhattan.

Kasey Shuda

Senior Director, Office of Strategic Innovation, LA Metro

Kasey Shuda is Senior Director in the Office of Strategic Innovation at LA Metro, leading the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games transportation and mobility planning and an internal Strategic Action Plan. Most recently, Kasey was Director of Construction Relations and Mitigation Programs overseeing a dozen construction projects with a value of over $2B. Having worked at Metro for over a decade, she is familiar with internal agency dynamics, outreach and engagement, and the planning, implementation, and mitigation of major capital projects and large-scale events.

Pat Gibson

Director of Venue Transportation, LA28

Pat is the Director of Venue Transportation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Los Angeles. He is responsible for the movement of pedestrians, buses, trucks, and cars al all 35+ of the venues that will host competitions. He will also be responsible for moving the 10,500 athletes living at the Olympic Village at UCLA between the Village and the competition venues. Pat taught the undergraduate transportation engineering courses at UCLA for 15 years and he served as the Faculty Advisor for the ITE Student Chapter for most of that time.

Politics, Public & Transportation