Networking
Mpact Innovators Presents – Celebrate 30 Years with 3.0 Miles! A Waterfront Group Run
Meet in Lobby
Lace up and let’s hit the pavement! To celebrate the conference’s 30th anniversary, we’re taking a ~3-mile victory lap along Portland’s famous waterfront. This isn’t just a jog. It’s a moving postcard. We’ll pass the hauntingly cool Ghost Ship, pay tribute to the Vera Katz Statue and cruise under the Burnside Bridge before swinging by the iconic White Stag Sign and Voodoo Doughnuts for a perfect photo op. Whether you’re a marathoner or a “just here for the views” runner, this is your chance to see the city in its best morning light. Meet us in the lobby at 7:00 AM sharp. Don’t hit snooze, Portland awaits!
Mobile Workshop
MW26 Hop on the Bike Bus: Joy and Transformation on the Way to School
$65
Rise early to be part of Portland’s Bike Bus, a community-driven movement that’s changing how kids travel and connect. By simply riding bikes to school together, Bike Bus programs reduce traffic, promote sustainability and foster community connection. Join a Bike Bus with Sam Balto, founder of Bike Bus World. Ride to an elementary school to experience firsthand the joy of biking with kids to school. Over coffee and donuts, experience improvements along local streets to understand how wayfinding and infrastructure can help improve safety and the role of local and regional transportation agencies on helping more kids bike to school. You will also learn the key elements needed to start a Bike Bus in your community, including partnerships, safety considerations and local engagement strategies. See how one small act—riding bikes together—can create big change.
Session
Innovative Partnerships: Smart Investment and Local Empowerment
Skyline II (23rd Floor, Skyline Level)
Big projects don’t happen in a vacuum, and they definitely don’t happen without the right partners. Let’s look at how public-private partnerships, boosted by technical assistance programs, are helping agencies stretch dollars further, build real capacity and bring communities into the process. You’ll hear from state DOTs, a global infrastructure firm and a quasi-governmental organization on how smart partnerships can spark community-focused design, tap funding opportunities that truly match project goals and engage stakeholders so that projects reflect local needs and long-term priorities. We’ll also get into the essential work of developing and managing these partnerships, including how they’re being used to advance big-picture goals like economic development and mobility improvements. Expect stories, lessons learned and plenty of audience exchange.
April Rai, President and Chief Executive Officer, COMTO, Arlington, VA
Jill Cahoon, Vice President, Transit & Rail Planning Lead – Northeast, AECOM, Portland, ME
MaryKate Ryan, Preservation Planner, HIstoric South Downtown, Seattle, WA
Lester Woods, Chief Administrative Officer, Missouri Department of Transportation, St. Louis, MO
Project Management, Funding, Coalition Building, Community Engagement, Transit.
Session
A Neuroscientist, Engineer and Planner Meet at a Transit Hub . . .
Broadway I&II (Plaza Level)
You’ll have to join us for the punchline. Getting around transit spaces isn’t just about maps and signs. It’s about how our brains, bodies and behaviors actually work in the real world. Together, we’ll dive into the psychology of navigation and how design choices can make or break the rider experience. Hear how human psychology shapes decisions about static and digital signage; how to rehab a conflict-heavy hub to help people of all abilities move safely and smoothly; and how 20+ transit agencies joined forces to make wayfinding seamless across the regional system. Expect a crash course in human psychology, real-world lessons learned and candid reflections on what they’d do differently now.
Michael Corrente, Senior Project Manager – Major Projects, TriMet, Portland, OR
Vedran Dzebic, Head of Research and Development, Entro, Toronto, ON
Jumana Nabti, Manager of Access Programs, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Oakland, CA
Moderator: Jenny Wang, AICP, Senior Transit Planner, VHB, Atlanta, GA
Session
Sparsely Populated, Smartly Served: Microtransit in New Contexts
Galleria South (Grand Ballroom Level - Escalator)
Once pitched as a first-last mile fix for the suburbs, microtransit is now popping up in new contexts, from large rural counties to suburban areas with multiple municipalities. Is it working? Let’s dig into fresh research regarding rural on-demand transit and pair it with real-world stories from agencies making it happen. Hear about operating models, what conditions lead to success and the surprising challenges (and wins) of serving huge geographies. Hear how four suburbs joined forces to create a 58-square-mile on-demand system that reaches new riders. Find out about cooperative procurement, unified branding, and balancing economies of scale with customization. Learn what happens when local communities, DOTs and transit agencies all try to solve the puzzle together.
Alanna Mckeeman, AICP, Vice President / Senior Project Manager, Foursquare ITP, Washington, D.C.
Matthew Dudley, Transit Manager, City of Avondale, Avondale, AZ
Kane Lester, Transportation Program Manager, Community Connection of Northeast Oregon, La Grande, OR
Abby Gisler, Associate Planner, Oregon Department of Transportation, La Grande, OR
Communications, Project Management, Technology, Microtransit, Transit Riders.
Session
ADA: Time for a Reality Check!
Pavilion West (Plaza Level)
More than 60 million people in the US live with a disability, a number that’s only growing as the population ages. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990, was a landmark law designed to ensure equal access to jobs, transportation, public spaces and communication tools. But challenges remain. COVID-19 exposed just how fragile support systems can be, with many people with disabilities reporting double the stress and worry compared to others. So, are we truly listening? Are we designing systems that work for everyone? By planning with accessibility at the core, we don’t just comply with the law. We expand ridership, strengthen communities and create fairness for all. Together, we’ll look at what we’re doing well and what we can do better.
MiMi Bernal-Graves, BS, MS, PHR, Learning Management System Program Manager, TriMet, Portland, OR
Jan Campbell, Chair, TriMet Committee on Accessible Transportation / Co-Chair, TriMet’s Accessible Transportation Funding Advisory Committee, Portland, OR
Christina Gonzalez, Project and Program Manager, King County Metro, Seattle, WA
Moderator: Mark McLaren, ASLA, Vice President, Transit Market Director – West Region, HDR, Inc., Phoenix, AZ
Session
Better Streets with BRT
Broadway III&IV (Plaza Level)
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is spreading across North America, promising faster, more reliable service. The twist? Many BRT lines run on car-heavy state highways — great for speeding traffic, not so great for anyone trying to walk, roll or cycle. Turning these streets into places people actually want to cross, ride or linger on takes serious teamwork. Planners, designers, cities, DOTs and transit agencies all have to lock arms, get creative and rethink what a corridor can be. It’s complicated. It’s expensive. And it’s critical. Join us to hear how leaders are tackling big challenges — mastering interagency partnerships, improving safety and transit access, and elevating both the passenger and corridor experience.
Jesse Stemmler, MLA, ASLA, Principal Project Manager, TriMet, Portland, OR
Stephanie Wright, Principal, Nelson\Nygaard, Portland, OR
Lisa Wall, Transit Practice Leader, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Saint Paul, MN
Bicycling, Walking, Design, Transit, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Corridor Planning, Street Design.
Session
Center City Recovery: Resilience and the Role of Transit
Pavilion West (Plaza Level)
Many downtowns are still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, with high office vacancies and visible homelessness challenging public perceptions of safety and vitality. How are downtowns responding? And what role does transit play in the recipe for recovery and long-term resilience? Come hear new research on the evolving dynamics of downtowns and the ways the new “normal” will be different going forward. Then join leaders from Portland, Nashville and Denver for candid insights about revitalizing central business districts, rethinking mobility and building inclusive strategies for long-term resilience. Responding to the crisis is also an opportunity to define a fresh path forward.
Tracy Loh, Fellow, Brookings Metro, Washington, DC
Debbie Frank, Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Growth and Development, WeGo Public Transit, Nashville, TN
Andrew Iltis, Senior Vice President – Planning and Community Impact, Downtown Denver Partnership, Denver, CO
Emily Picha, Project Director/Chief of Staff, ECOnorthwest, Portland, OR
Moderator: GB Arrington, Principal – Retired, GB Place Making, Portland, OR
Downtowns, Economic Development, Transit-Oriented Communities, Transit, Sustainability.
Session
Technology to Enable Mobility
Galleria North (Grand Ballroom Level - Escalator)
Mobility is messy. You’ve got bikes, buses, cars and pedestrians all competing for safe space. But technology is stepping in to make it safer, smarter and more efficient. Let’s explore how communities are using such innovations as Bicycle Intelligent Transportation Systems (BITS), transit signal priority (TSP), smart curb management and AI-powered enforcement for bus zones. Buses hit more green lights thanks to real-time cellular data. People walking can cross intersections more safely. Tech mounted on buses instantly flags illegally parked cars blocking stops—a lifesaver for all, especially children, older adults and riders with disabilities. Add in smart traffic lights for cyclists and digital curbside rules that flex with demand, and the future of mobility starts to look a lot smoother. Come tech it out!
Jacob Malleau, Head of Product – CurbIQ, Arcadis, Vancouver, BC
A.J. O’Connor, Director, Intelligent Transportation System, TriMet, Portland, OR
Nick Falbo, Senior Integrated Mobility Consultant, Mobycon Inc., Portland, OR
Claudia Preciado, Director of Growth, Hayden AI, San Francisco, CA
Moderator: Laurie Matkowski, Vice President- Director of Planning, GFT, Philadelphia, PA
Walking, Older Adults, ADA, Technology, Transit, Street Design, Transit Riders.
Mobile Workshop
MW28 4Ts: Train, Tram, Tilikum, Trolley
$45
Due to popular demand, we are offering the 4Ts Mobile Workshop a second time. If you are already signed up for MW17 4Ts on Tuesday, please do not sign up for this time slot.
Experience the 4Ts! Explore the history and innovation behind the Portland’s transit systems and discover how they have shaped its culture, mobility and livability. The Portland Streetcar, aka trolley, is the city’s first post-war streetcar. Tilikum Crossing is the nation’s longest bridge for transit and active transportation but not private autos. Soar the heights in one of the nation’s few urban aerial trams and hop aboard Portland’s MAX train: just the third light rail system built in the U.S., it was born out of the death of an eight-lane freeway project. As you ride and walk Tilikum Crossing (1/4-mile at a 5% grade), hear the stories of collaboration and innovation that brought these modes into operation as well as how they combine to serve Portland communities.
Light Rail, Streetcar, 2025 Conference - Portland OR, Aerial Tram, Transit.
Mobile Workshop
MW27 The Future Heights District: Redevelopment in Vancouver, Washington
$65
In 2017, the City of Vancouver, Wash., bought a mall. A strategic move, it was the first step in reimagining the Heights District in Central Vancouver. The former Tower Mall site, now demolished, is part of a 63-acre area known as the Tower Mall Redevelopment Area (TMRA), the centerpiece of the larger 205 acre Heights District. Head to Vancouver, just north of Portland across the Columbia River, to hear the story of the potential the city saw in the former mall property and the planning and implementation that have followed, including investments from CTRAN, the local transit provider. Since 2017, the city has worked with the community to complete the Heights District plan, which sets the vision for a vibrant neighborhood center. The city initiated a development plan that sets a citywide policy framework of innovative, inclusive redevelopment strategies and mechanisms to respond to displacment. The city also is leading an infrastructure design process that will provide radically accessible complete streets to get people to the area and to multiple engaging open spaces in a safe and efficient manner. Come away with a deeper understanding of how the city, in buying the mall, created an unprecedented opportunity to shape development to better serve the community.
Photo credit: City of Vancouver, WA
Transit-Oriented Communities, Community Development, Transit, Street Design.
Session
Give It to Me, I’m Worth It: Making the Case for Capital Projects
Broadway I&II (Plaza Level)
It takes planning, support, momentum and money (yes, lots of money) to keep a transit agency healthy, successful and growing. With federal funding uncertain, how can we make sure agencies get the resources they need? Come for fresh insights about building a prioritized list of capital projects and getting the public and stakeholders invested—so invested they’ll want to help pay for it! We’ll cover why capital improvement programs matter, how to prove your agency’s value (even when the haters hate), when and how to tackle levies or tax referendums and what realistic implementation really looks like. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about keeping the wheels turning. It’s about proving transit’s value.
Caitlin Holland, Vice President, Real Estate and Economic Development, DART, Dallas, TX
Lyne-Marie Bouvet, AICP, Principal Transportation Planner, Caltrain, San Carlos, CA
Matt Yarrow, Seattle Transit Measure (STM) Program Manager, Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle, WA
Ellen Beckmann, Transportation Director, Durham County Government, Durham, NC
Session
Mpact Innovators Presents – Idea Exchange: From Red Tape to Green Lights
Galleria North (Grand Ballroom Level - Escalator)
From endless environmental reviews to zoning hurdles that feel straight out of another century, well-intentioned processes often drag out the delivery of housing, transit and other critical infrastructure. And the waiting game is exhausting. So how can we modernize these systems—not by cutting corners, but by cutting through red tape? Jump into two hands-on exercises in this interactive workshop. First, trace a real project’s timeline to see exactly where it gets stuck and where it actually shines. Then sketch a streamlined, “dream-world” process and explore what it would take to make it real. Join us to help untangle the knots and co-create a path toward faster, smarter, more human project delivery.
Ana Zanza, Urban Design Planner, HNTB, Chicago, IL
Melissa Ashbaugh, Transportation Planner, Oregon Metro, Portland, OR
Christina Gotauco Philip, Senior Transit-Oriented Development Project Manager, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), San José, CA
Rachel Haukkala, AICP, Lead Transportation Planner, WSP, Portland, OR
Housing, Project Management, Transit, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
Session
Overwhelmed by the Numbers, In Love with the Outcomes
Galleria South (Grand Ballroom Level - Escalator)
It’s a new day in transportation. We’ve got the data, the dashboards, the digits. We know when, where and how people move. But let’s be real. Knowing stuff isn’t the same as doing stuff. Enter this clever crew. They’ve cracked the code on turning spreadsheets into real-world wins—like happier commutes, fairer funding and proof that transit isn’t just about buses and trains, it’s about better lives. They’ll be sharing a framework that transforms raw data into outcomes that actually matter—tangible, cheeky, quality-of-life-improving outcomes. So if you’re ready to move from insights to impact, hop aboard. Because in the right hands, numbers aren’t just stats. They’re pure gold.
Olivia Krishnaswami, Director, Aloe by Olivia, Portland, OR
Lauren N. McCarthy, PhD, Senior Director – Research and Impact, Shared-Use Mobility Center, Los Angeles, CA
Sophie Spiliotopoulos, Data Visualization Program Manager, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, Arlington, VA
Adam Hager, WMATA Program Manager, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, Arlington, VA
Session
Regional Partnerships: Formal Agreements for Major Projects
Pavilion East (Plaza Level)
Formal agreements may not sound glamorous, but they’re the backbone of significant projects. Let’s assess how interagency collaborations make each partner stronger and bolster shared goals. We’ll dive into two case studies—the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program in metropolitan Portland and the Santa Clara Valley City of Gilroy’s expanded downtown station for existing intercity rail and future high-speed rail. Learn how formal agreements helped align state DOTs, transit agencies and local partners, ensuring clarity around roles, responsibilities and community expectations. From replacing a 114-year-old bridge with a multimodal, seismically resilient connection to creating shared frameworks for rail and station development, these stories show how agreements maximize impact, refresh past planning, and adapt projects to evolving mobility and community needs. The takeaway? Big visions only work when everyone is on the same page.
Aiko Cuenco, Senior Transportation Planner, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, San Jose, CA
Grace Crunican, Executive Advisor, Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, Portland, OR
Kelly Doyle, Supervising Transportation Planner, California High-Speed Rail Authority, San Jose, CA
Paige Schlupp, Assistant Program Administrator, Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, Portland, OR
Moderator: Mara Krinke, Senior Environmental Planner, Parametrix, Portland, OR
Session
Cancelled – Partnering with the US Department of Transportation
Broadway III&IV (Plaza Level)
This session is cancelled.
Join the US Department of Transportation for a discussion of innovative partnerships, policy initiatives and funding opportunities. This session will demonstrate how communities can achieve successful projects by leveraging public and private investment, including USDOT resources.
Robert Hanifin, Chief – Planning Grants Management and Implementation Division, Federal Transit Administration, US Department of Transportation, Washington, DC
Session
Leading with Vision: Transit Executives on Risk, Reward, and Resilience
Pavilion West (Plaza Level)
In this lively, TED Talk-style session, three transit executives step into the spotlight to share personal reflections on the leadership journeys that have shaped them—and the bold moves that have pushed their agencies forward. Each speaker will take the stage with a story about a defining project, policy or achievement. From transformational infrastructure initiatives to innovative community development strategies, they’ll discuss the risks they took, the resistance they faced, and the resilience needed to succeed. This isn’t just about transit—it’s about leadership, vision, and the courage to push boundaries in the pursuit of stronger, more connected communities. Come for an inspiring hour that explores what it means to lead in today’s rapidly evolving mobility landscape.
Greg Canally, Chief Executive Officer, Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), Austin, TX
Frank White III, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), Kansas City, MO
Tiffany Gunter, General Manager, Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), Detroit, MI
Moderator: Jannet Walker-Ford, US Advisory and Planning Executive, WSP, Jacksonville, FL
Plenaries
Closing Plenary Lunch – Beyond the Driver’s Seat: Mobility for Everyone
Grand Ballroom (Grand Ballroom Level Escalator)
Transportation is how you get places, right? For the thirty percent of people who don’t drive, public transportation is often the way to go. Close the 2025 conference with several views of access and mobility for all. Stories of creativity and persistence, beginning with Lex Frieden, widely known as an architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act and a leader of the independent living movement, in conversation with a Rail~Volution founder, G.B. Arrington. The keynote speaker, Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving is Not an Option, will speak from her lived experience and advocacy about building transit systems that empower individuals to maintain independence and mobility. A panel discussion follows, featuring Zivarts, Gala Korniyenko and moderator Jan Campbell, focused on systemic barriers and actionable strategies for inclusive design. Expect urgency, inspiration and a shared vision for accessible cities, plus a special reveal from our 2027 conference hosts.
Opening Conversation
Lex Frieden, MA, LLD (hon), Professor, McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX
G.B. Arrington, Principal – Retired, GB Placemaking LLC, Portland, OR
Keynote
Introduction of Anna Zivarts: Breen Masciotra, AICP, EcoDistricts AP, Senior Project Manager, evolve environment::architecture, Pittsburgh, PA
Anna Zivarts, Interim Advocacy Co-Director, Disability Mobility Initiative, Disability Rights Washington / Author, When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency, Seattle, WA
Panel Discussion with Anna Zivarts
Gala Korniyenko, PhD, Lecturer, City and Regional Planning Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Jan Campbell, Board Member, Disability Rights Oregon / Chair, Committee on Accessible Transportation, TriMet, Portland, OR
Closing – Mpact Transit + Community 2026
