Why RTD?: Inspiring employee stories of career growth, achievements, and leadership: Women moving RTD forward

RTD is recognizing Women's History Month by featuring a series of employee profiles in the Why RTD: Inspiring Stories of Career Growth, Achievements, and Leadership initiative. The collection of profiles highlights the diverse roles women hold at RTD – from bus operators and body shop mechanics to executive leadership – RTD offers a wide array of career paths.

Why RTD?: Inspiring Stories of Career Growth, achievements and leadership 

• Debra A. Johnson – As RTD’s first female General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Debra A. Johnson is a servant leader committed to helping the agency achieve its strategic initiatives while fostering advancements in accessibility, equity and sustainability. Under her direction and with support of the Board of Directors, RTD has launched Zero Fare for Transit Equity Day to highlight the importance of accessibility for underserved communities and promote transit as a civil right. Johnson has championed workforce diversity and spearheaded needed infrastructure improvements, including the Downtown Rail Reconstruction project on RTD’s inaugural L line. In addition to guiding the agency in its “Back to Basics strategic initiative, Johnson has also led RTD to progress on its People Power initiative. In January, RTD added over 200 weekly rail and bus revenue hours given its significant improvement in hiring employees in frontline positions. 
• Charlene Polege – As Chief People Officer Charlene Polege fosters a culture of inclusion and equity at RTD, ensuring that all employeescan thrive, demonstrating the power of diversity in leadership.
• Valencia Sanchez – As a Body Mechanic in RTD’s body shop, Sanchez is a trailblazer in a male-dominated field. Sanchez ensures that RTD’s fleet is in top condition ander leadership encourages women to pursue technical careers in transportation, inspiring the next generation of women in trades.
• Krystal Pacheco – As Business Support, Bus Operations, Pacheco’s role is vital for keeping RTD bus operations running smoothly. Krystal comes from a family legacy of women in transportation, including her mother, former bus operator Debbie Garcia, and daughters Jessica and Alyssa Mora, who work as parts clerks for RTD.
• Urvashi Shresta – As a Compliance Specialist for RTD’s Small Business Opportunity Office Shresta ensures that women and disadvantaged small businesses can connect to opportunities within RTD’s contracting processes. Her efforts help foster a more inclusive future for the transit industry.
• Eryn Grover – As Learning Administrator, Human Resources, Grover empowers RTD employees to develop the skills they need to succeed and advance in their careers.
• Erin Vallejos – As Senior Manager, Contracted Services, Vallejos ensures that RTD’s partnerships with contractors align with its mission. She ensures seamless service to customers from contractors, so they operate as an extension of RTD. Jessie Shipers – Jessie Shipers is RTD’s Director of Talent Acquisition and leads RTD’s recruitment efforts, ensuring that all qualified individuals have access to opportunities in public transportation.
• Monica Oakes – As Manager, Human Resource Administration Services, Oakes’ leadership fosters a fair and inclusive work environment, inspiring others to contribute to RTD’s equitable culture.
• Donna White – Donna White is a Bus Operator working in the East Metro Division and holds 25 years of service. White exemplifies dedication and commitment in serving RTD’s customers and is an example of the positive impact that women in transit have in their communities and customers’ daily lives.

The women highlighted in the Why RTD Inspiring Stories of Career Growth, Achievements, and Leadership initiative offer just a glimpse of the incredible work being done by women across the agency.

Be sure to watch Why RTD: Inspiring Stories of Career Growth, Achievements, and Leadership showcasing the women who serve in these roles and their personal stories.