News

Joanne (Jo) McDonald is the Chief Legal and Risk Officer at Kelsian Group, Australia’s largest integrated multi-modal transport provider and tourism operator, which also has bus operations in Singapore, London and the Channel Islands. Jo shares unmissable advice on developing strategic influencing and management skills, how she has built a sustainable career and key lessons she’s learnt along the way. Jo emphasises that for her, working in public transport is so satisfying because it’s connected with people’s everyday lives, it involves systems and is purpose driven. Tune in now to hear Jo’s interview with Jamie-Lee Owen, a PTAANZ Emerging Mobility Leader and Passenger Experience Lead for the Level Crossing Removal Project at Metro Trains Melbourne.

Katarzyna (Kat) Stapleton is the Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Rail, the integrated customer and rail infrastructure business that manages Queensland’s railways and train services. Kat has an inspiring discussion with Sally Stannard, PTAANZ Chair and Deputy Director-General (Translink) at the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. Kat shares insights on her diverse role that involves being an ambidextrous rail operator, focusing on the local croquet club, the economy, community connectivity and working to eradicate gendered violence. Kat also takes us on her professional journey from starting her career in the Canadian Navy, to joining telecommunications in the 1990s and early 2000s, when that sector was going through a fascinating period of change driven by fast-evolving technology, to ending up in rail where she believes there’s no better place to work.

Stephanie Speck is the Chief Communications and Experience Officer at the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning. In her interview with Judith Sturman, Executive Group Manager of Transport Canberra and a PTAANZ Board Director, Stephanie talks about her incredible career spanning 23 countries and what excites her about her current role. Stephanie shares how compelling she finds the complexity and future focus of the public transport sector and her appreciation for working with committed, passionate experts. Stephanie also has fantastic, actionable advice for professionals in any industry looking to develop strategic thinking and leadership skills.

Alana Newbrook is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of SYSTRA ANZ. In her interview with Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Future Mobility at the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Alana shares how she’s harnessing SYSTRA’s global insights and applying them to Australia and New Zealand’s public transport sector. Alana discusses her passion for delivering city-shaping and life-changing projects, relishing how her role allows her to make tangible contributions to creating more equitable communities.

The Hon Catherine King is Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and the first woman to hold the transport portfolio at the national government level. In her interview with member host Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Future Mobility at the Victorian Department of Transport, Minister King shares insights on Australia’s fast rail future, reflections on her 20-year political career and advice for aspiring politicians and policymakers.

Samantha Gain is Kaiwhakahaere Matua Metlink / General Manager of Metlink, the public transport agency for Greater Wellington Regional Council in New Zealand. She is interviewed by guest host Sally Stannard, Deputy Director-General (Translink) at Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads and Vice Chair of PTAANZ’s Board of Directors. Sam trained as a lawyer and loves the legal complexities of delivering public transport services and projects, as well as the diverse range of people she gets to work with and the community service it provides. Sam also shares fun and actionable advice about leadership and building the career you want.

Crissy Ditmore is the Head of Public Policy, North America at Optibus, an end-to-end software platform for more equitable, sustainable, and efficient transport services. In her interview with member guest host Katie Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of Metro Tasmania and a PTAANZ Board Director, Crissy shares inspiring insights into how technology and data can be used to create more equitable, accessible public transport networks. Crissy also shares her exciting career journey that started with using public transport all over the world while travelling as a performer, to becoming an industry thought leader renowned for her dedication to leveraging technology for the public good. Don’t miss Crissy’s empowering advice on building supportive professional relationships and making sure you and your organisation are prepared for the unexpected.

Judith Sturman is the Executive Group Manager of Transport Canberra and a Board Director for the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ). In her interview with Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Future Mobility at the Victorian Department of Transport, Judith analyses and shares lessons from her 30-year public transport career, which started in the United Kingdom and led her to Australia where she has worked in Sydney, Melbourne and now Canberra. Judith highlights her excitement for how zero emissions vehicles are changing transport for the better and gives empowering insights into her professional successes and leadership style.

Bonnie Crawford is the General Manager and Vice President of Umo Mobility, part of Cubic Transportation Systems. She is interviewed by guest host Sally Stannard, Deputy Director-General (Translink), Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland and Vice Chair of the PTAANZ Board of Directors. Bonnie shares her professional journey from the mailroom to the boardroom by getting a variety of experiences early in her career, then becoming more intentional mid-career to put herself on a leadership pathway and ending up in a sector she loves. Like many women in public transport, Bonnie is inspired by the positive impact her work has on the community. She’s passionate about using software and technology transformation to create connections and access for riders from every walk of life.