Latinos In Transit launches inaugural Leadership Academy

Latinos In Transit (LIT) has announced its inaugural class of the Leadership Academy for 2022, which will provide training and development opportunities for members pursuing growth opportunities in the transit industry.

The Leadership Academy was established by the board of directors following the successful first-ever LIT Leadership Summit, where more than 100 LIT members and partners gathered for one day in Newport Beach, Calif., in September of 2019. The event featured workshops with top industry leaders such as c-suite executives, transit board members and transit industry recruiters.

"After a successful Leadership Summit in 2019, the LIT Board of Directors approved the launch of LIT Leadership Academy. Our Leadership Academy Coordinator, Aida Berduo Berry, has scheduled top industry leaders to cover several developmental topics within this program,” said LIT Board Vice President Herold Humphrey. “These training and development opportunities are for members pursuing growth opportunities within the transit industry and are part of our mission. We could not be more excited to bring forward this inaugural class."

“We know development is important to our members, [so] the Leadership Academy is going to be such a great thing to help our members in their growth,” added Aida Berduo Berry, LIT Leadership Academy coordinator and former LIT Board member.

This year’s LIT Leadership Academy will consist of three virtual training and development program areas:

• The making of an executive: Intended for senior level managers pursuing C-Suite positions and newly appointed executive level managers, this track will provide a well-rounded curriculum to prepare participants as they move into C-Suite level jobs.
• Leading in middle management: Intended for individuals in mid-level manager positions that want to enhance their management skills and techniques, this track will provide an in-depth look at areas that mid-level managers face on a regular basis.
• New careers in transit: Intended for employees new to the transit industry, this can be an entry level position or a career or industry change, and will explore the career opportunities in the transit industry and how to navigate career paths.

Each program area will consist of five sessions, with various industry leaders leading each session. There will be one session held each month over a period of five months, starting March 25 and concluding with a graduation in September at the APTA Annual event in Seattle, Wash. The sessions will take place virtually via zoom from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST on Friday.

This year’s class participants include people from the private and public sector and represent organizations throughout the country. Industry leaders facilitating the sessions range from transit agency executives and federal employees to departments of transportation leaders and private company representatives.

"It's no secret that most of us landed in the transit industry by accident. As an industry, we have to do a better job creating a pipeline for careers in transit/transportation,” said LIT Board President Alva Carrasco. “We need to do everything we can to recruit, retain, develop and mentor our employees. We hope that by bringing our members together with industry leaders/partners at the LIT Leadership Academy, that we motivate them to stay in transit and pursue executive and C-suite level positions. We need a diverse workforce to stay innovative. Our communities are relying on us."

Those interested in applying for next year’s academy are encouraged to become a member of LIT and should check LIT’s website for details.