The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) of Southeast Michigan has added three new members to its growing leadership team. Julia Roberts will serve as planning and innovation director, Melanie Piana will serve as program director and Corri Wofford will serve as external affairs director.
Roberts was most recently the executive director of Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express and has an expertise in developing productive agency transformations, implementing equitable pilot projects and managing grants.
"I wanted to join the RTA to become a more integral part of moving people in our region to the forefront for where we need to be going together,” Roberts said. “It will be a vision come to fruition for me by contributing toward the growth and leadership of an innovative shared mobility future here." Piana offers a unique blend of strong organizational operations and program management paired with her urban revitalization, nonprofit and local government expertise. An award-winning community leader, she has led positive change and fostered regional collaboration to advance strategic initiatives across various communities, including as the mayor for the city of Ferndale. She is also a former Michigan Municipal League Board president. Her professional background in community development, economic growth and climate resiliency will help play a crucial role in promoting shared prosperity across the region in mobility and transportation.
"Enhancing mobility options across the region makes stronger, more resilient communities and businesses,” Piana said. “Working collaboratively with the RTA's board of directors, transit agencies, elected officials and our communities. I'm eager to advance strategic initiatives that increase our shared prosperity across the region."
Wofford will lead all communications, government relations and community outreach. In her time with the RTA, she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to effectively communicate the RTA's mission and foster positive relationships with stakeholders. In her expanded role, she will further strengthen the RTA's brand with external partners and stakeholders, solidifying the organization's commitment to transparent and collaborative decision-making.
“Having the opportunity to not only grow the RTA as an organization, but to be able to continue community engagement work in a different capacity is one I couldn’t pass up” Wofford said. “There are a number of projects the RTA plans to develop that I’ve already began to map out in my head.”
