We had the pleasure of interviewing Hannah Katz, Sales Engineer at Moovit, who recently graduated from the APTA Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). With a deep-rooted passion for public transportation, Hannah has proven herself as a promising leader in the industry. Her commitment to innovative solutions and her ability to navigate complex challenges make her a valuable asset to the future of public transportation.

Could you provide us with a brief overview of the APTA Emerging Leaders Program and its significance in the field?

ELP is a national employer-sponsored professional development program for those early on in their transit careers. Each applicant is nominated by a ‘Sponsor’ within their organization– my manager and Moovit’s Director of Sales Engineering, Jeff Zarr. ELP prepares each cohort to “emerge” as more effective leaders in our areas of the industry. The curriculum includes skill-building workshops, team collaboration, unique access to industry leaders, and invaluable mentorship opportunities.

How has participating in the program benefited you personally and professionally?

To sum it up I will quote Uli Gal-Oz, Moovit’s VP of Business Development and my ‘local mentor’ for ELP, the program fosters “tremendous growth.” From improving public speaking skills to developing relationships with industry leaders, peers, and friends, ELP provides an unparalleled opportunity to grow in many directions.

Could you share a bit about your background and the contributions that led to your recognition as an emerging leader?

ELP emphasizes diversity in transit experience and my background is unique. During my 6+ years with Moovit, I have had a front-row seat to the most exciting mobility tech advancements– AVs, on-demand, and MaaS. Before Moovit, I worked in the field of emergency management with a focus on disaster risk reduction and community resilience. This perspective and passion color my work in public transit. APTA recognizes that this experience can help the industry better take advantage of innovation as we grapple with COVID-19 and climate change.

Lastly, how do you plan to leverage this recognition and your experience in the APTA Emerging Leaders Program to make a difference in the field moving forward?

“Pay it forward” is the most used phrase throughout ELP. There are many ways to inves in the APTA community. ELP-related activities continue. For example, my ‘local group’ within my class will continue presenting our final Capstone project (more info here) about Customer Experience to agencies interested in learning about this trending topic. There are opportunities to volunteer, speak at conferences, participate on committees, and more. As a Solutions Engineer, ELP has accelerated my ability to help agencies leverage the right technology to make transit more accessible, equitable, and pleasant, which is the foundation of a resilient community.