Jessenia Fernandes serves as the director of safety and training at Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa). In 2017, she made a career change from healthcare, earning her commercial driver's license (CDL) and passenger endorsements to become a bus operator at MeVa. In 2021, Fernandes stepped into her first leadership role as a road supervisor.  

A native of Puerto Rico, Fernandes was part of MeVa’s effort to rethink hiring practices, including adjusting English proficiency requirements that had unintentionally limited who could apply. The response was immediate, with a noticeable increase in applicants whose first language is Spanish. In 2022, Fernandes became MeVa’s first bilingual safety and training officer. She worked directly with new hires, making sure they had the tools and support they needed to succeed.  

Colleagues say when Fernandes was initially promoted to run MeVa’s safety and training program, she was the entire program. Now, under her leadership, the department has tripled in size. With the addition of two direct reports, Fernandes was again promoted to be the director of safety and training, as well as director of the drug and alcohol program. In these roles, she oversees critical areas that impact both safety and workplace culture. Her responsibilities include retraining drivers after incidents, addressing complaints and navigating difficult conversations when standards aren’t met.  

In this capacity, Fernandes developed two new courses on de-escalation training and working with people with cognitive disabilities. She partnered with MeVa’s Assistant General Manager of Maintenance to add mirrorless mirrors to bus vehicles to eliminate blind spots. 

Outside of her day-to-day responsibilities, Fernandes is also engaged in the broader transit community. She has been an active member of Latinos In Transit (LIT) for the past five years. In 2025, she completed the Making of an Executive module of LIT’s Leadership Academy, culminating in a presentation at LIT’s Leadership Summit in Albuquerque, N.M. 

Is there a specific experience that led you to where you are today? 

The experience that most shaped my career was becoming a bus operator in 2017. Before transportation, I worked in a nursing home, where I realized that although my passion was sharing information and helping people, I was fascinated by large vehicles and the transportation industry. Driving a bus brought those interests together and opened doors I never expected. From my position as a driver, I advanced into dispatch, supervision, training and eventually became director of safety and training. Throughout that journey, mentors encouraged me to keep learning and growing. Their support, combined with hard work and perseverance, helped me reach where I am today. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

What I enjoy most is helping people grow and succeed. Teaching, coaching and mentoring employees are the most rewarding parts of my role. I enjoy helping people build confidence, develop new skills and achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. Over the years, I have helped employees earn CDL’s, advance into leadership positions and build successful careers. Watching someone discover their potential and take the next step in their professional journey is incredibly meaningful to me. Seeing others succeed and knowing I contributed to their growth fills my heart with pride and reminds me why I love what I do. 

What’s the most challenging part of your job?  

One of the most challenging parts of my job is helping people step outside their comfort zones. Many employees have the ability to grow and advance, but change can feel intimidating. Some hesitate because they doubt themselves or fear failure. A key part of my role is helping them build confidence and recognize their strengths. This often requires difficult but honest conversations about growth and opportunity. Over time, I have learned that those difficult conversations are not obstacles—they are opportunities for growth when approached with respect and support. Helping people overcome self-doubt is challenging, but it is also one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. 

What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of and why?  

The accomplishment I am most proud of is the impact I have had on people throughout my career. While I am proud of my journey from bus operator to director of safety and training, my greatest reward is helping others succeed. One experience that stands out involved an employee who struggled with English communication during training. I translated materials, created pronunciation guides and worked closely with him to build confidence and succeed. Today, he is a respected driver who is highly regarded by both passengers and colleagues. Seeing that transformation reinforced the importance of patience, support and encouragement. I am also proud to be a graduate of the LIT Leadership Academy, which strengthened my leadership skills and inspired continued growth. In addition, I have been honored to receive the Latino Excellence Award and a Community Service Award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. These recognitions are meaningful because they reflect a commitment to investing in people, supporting communities and creating opportunities for others to succeed. 

What is an accomplishment you would like to work towards in your career?  

One accomplishment I would like to work toward is continuing to build innovative training and development programs that help employees reach their full potential. I enjoy analyzing trends, identifying opportunities for improvement and creating training solutions that support both employee growth and organizational success. As I continue to develop as a leader, I want to help prepare the next generation of transportation professionals and leaders. Throughout my career, others invested in me and provided opportunities for growth, and I hope to do the same for others. My goal is not only to advance professionally but also to leave a lasting impact by creating programs, mentorship opportunities and pathways that help employees build successful and rewarding careers. 

What is your best advice you can share from your area of expertise?  

Never underestimate your potential and never stop learning. Success is rarely the result of one opportunity or one achievement—it is built through consistency, perseverance and a willingness to grow. There will be times when you face challenges, doubt yourself or feel that your efforts are going unnoticed. Keep moving forward. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone and embrace opportunities that challenge you. Growth happens when you remain open to learning, adapting and improving. Just as important, treat people with respect and kindness. Leadership is not about titles; it is about serving others, building trust and helping people succeed. My own journey has taught me that where you begin does not determine where you can go. With dedication, hard work and a commitment to continuous growth, opportunities can take you further than you ever imagined.