Economic and Workforce Development: Equity and Cultural Competence

Transportation projects increasingly are moving beyond traditional economic development goals, defined by job access, to embrace the value that these projects bring for workforce development and small or disadvantaged business growth at the local level. Hear from agencies that have developed innovative policies and initiatives for cultural competency, workforce development, job creation, apprenticeships and advanced DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) and local hiring goals. These exemplary programs strive to bring additional benefit to local communities and economies where transit projects are built. Hear, too, from organizations advocating for national policy changes to streamline and improve disadvantaged business participation on transportation projects.

Moderator: Monica Villalobos, PhD, AICP, Principal, Vicus Planning, Los Angeles, CA
Brad Owen, Senior Executive Officer, Program Management, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO), Los Angeles, CA
Patti Olds, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kuniklo Corporation, Phoenix, AZ
Kelie Thomas, Light Rail Coordinator, City of Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix, AZ
Samantha Slusher, Director, Equity in Infrastructure Project, Washington, DC