The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is welcoming the return of Amanda Wanke, who will be stepping into the role of CEO following approval by the DART Board of Commissioners. Her first day back at DART will be Sept. 5.
Wanke began working for DART in 2015 before leaving in October 2022 to work for bus manufacturer New Flyer of America. Her selection is the result of a national search after Elizabeth Presutti, who led DART for 11 years, resigned in January. Krauthmer & Associates led the search and collected input from the DART Board of Commissioners, local elected officials, city, business and community leaders and DART’s team to determine what was required of the agency’s next CEO.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Amanda back to DART as CEO,” said DART Commission Vice Chair and Chair of the CEO Search Committee Josh Mandelbaum. “We looked for a candidate that would further DART’s commitment to improve quality of life and drive economic development in central Iowa. Amanda has the leadership skills, relationships and industry experience we need to navigate the challenges ahead and elevate the role of transit in Greater Des Moines.”
Wanke’s professional experience includes steering communications, government relations and team leadership efforts in several industries. She joined DART in 2015 as the chief external affairs officer and in May 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wanke was named deputy CEO and COO, leading 200 employees in DART’s transportation, maintenance and customer service departments.
“Amanda is a proven leader known for her collaborative style, transparent communication and optimistic, yet realistic approach to managing limited resources in a community where the need for transportation services continues to grow,” said DART Commission Chair and West Des Moines Mayor Russ Trimble. “Transit agencies across the country are facing difficult decisions about funding and service levels and our region is no different. I believe Amanda is the right leader at the right time to lead DART through the challenges ahead and to ensure central Iowans continue to benefit from seamless, affordable mobility options for years to come.”
DART officials explain Wanke ensured essential transportation services continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, launched several new and innovative services—including Flex Connect and DART On Demand, led the deployment of the agency’s first electric buses, successfully negotiated union contracts, improved customer satisfaction and non-rider awareness, increased advertising revenue and added new partnerships to increase transit access and revenue during her previous tenure at DART.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to again work with the DART Commission, member communities, staff and riders,” said Wanke. “I am passionate about transit and the positive impact it has on people and communities. Now, more than ever, it’s important to work collaboratively to develop a sustainable vision for transit that will improve quality of life for central Iowa residents and deliver a return on investment for taxpayers.”
Amanda and her husband Randy have two teenage children and live in West Des Moines.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
