HART Celebrates Women's History Month by Recognizing Some of its Top Women Executives Within the Agency
In celebration of Women's History Month, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is recognizing some of its top women execs in the driver's seat at HART. HART is excited to observe Women's History Month, and is committed to celebrating our diverse team every day.
HART is proud of its own women who are trendsetting leaders; making a tremendously positive impact in key senior management positions. Women lead three key transportation agencies in Hillsborough County — namely HART, The Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Planning Commission. In fact, 43 percent of HART senior management is comprised of women.
"One of the key beliefs at HART is that diversity and perspective is key to a strong future. In this industry it helps to have diversity of thought. That's the benefit of having organizations that support women and minorities, that way they can sit at the table and provide that diverse perspective, that unique perspective." said HART CEO Katharine Eagan.
Katharine Eagan, AICP, is chief executive officer of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART), and in that role she oversees an agency that provides nearly 50,000 passenger trips a day, and about 15 million trips annually, on local and express bus, flex services, HARTPlus paratransit, and the TECO Line Streetcar. Under her leadership, HART has greatly expanded public-private partnerships with entities such as MegaBus, Red Coach, Coast Bike Share, Yellow Cab, and TransDev, and HART is continuing to pursue partnerships that provide travel options beyond traditional buses.
Eagan was awarded the Florida Diversity Council's 2016 Powerful and Influential Women award and WTS 2016 Woman of the Year by Women in Transportation Seminar to name a few recognition's.
Katharine Eagan is a distinguished professional in her field, an involved member of her community, and an inspiration to women seeking a specialized career in the transportation industry.
Ruthie Reyes Burckard, is chief operating officer at HART. Before being appointed to this position, Burckard was the director of van operations, which includes services such as HARTPlus, HARTFlex and Travel Training. She oversaw HART Dispatch and the Customer Service Department. She now leads a team of more than 650 employees who carry out vital functions including service planning, scheduling, and operations for the agency's fixed-route bus service — plus HARTFlex on-demand van service, HARTPlus paratransit service for people with disabilities, and the TECO Line Streetcar System.
Reyes Burckard is a member of the Hillsborough County and City of Tampa Alliances for Citizens with Disabilities, Hillsborough County Transportations Disadvantaged Coordinating Board and and HART ADA Accessibility Committee.
Kenyatta Lee is the organization's chief administration officer (CAO). Lee has over 20 years of public sector work experience. As CAO, Lee leads a team of more than 30 employees who have key functions within the agency including risk and safety, human resources, and information technology. Throughout her professional career, Lee has provided leadership and management for information technology, internal audit and compliance, risk management, human resources and finance.
Lee is a graduate of the 2015 Leadership American Public Transportation Association (APTA) program.
Joan Brown, HART director of financial operations, has been with the agency for 16 years. "One of the things I like about HART is their flexibility with their employees' time as it relates to time off for family obligations," she says. "Being a single mother, this has been very beneficial to me when time off could unexpectantly be needed for doctor appointments, family sick leave, school events, etc., especially when my son was young."
Other women ensuring that HART leads the way are Brooke Basquit, director of human resources and organizational development, Lena Petit, HART director of executive office and board affairs, and Kemly Green, manager of customer service and paratransit just to name a few. All of these women explain how they work with a team of dedicated professionals at HART who bring commitment to the organization every day. Everything they do is with the focus on enhancing the community living standards.
HART believes that having strong representation by women in its workforce sets a good example for other organizations and industries. Plus, HART women in leadership set a stellar example to encourage and inspire the up-and-coming generation of young women and girls to follow their career dreams and also help lead the world forward.
