Leslie S. Richards is the CEO and 11th General Manager of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the sixth largest public transportation agency in the U.S. with a budget of more than $2 billion and a vast network of 9,500 employees. The 50-year-old legacy agency is more than a transit service; it is the way the five million residents across the Greater Philadelphia region connect to each other. Today, SEPTA operates across six transportation modes and has 2,800 vehicles in service, 285 subway and rail stations, 13,000 bus and trolley stops, and 150 routes covering over 2,200 square miles. Under her leadership, SEPTA moved swiftly to protect the health and safety of its employees and riders during the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing essential services to those who needed it most. Planning for the future, Richards is ensuring that SEPTA is supporting the region in its recovery and adapting to meet the changing needs of riders, while evaluating every aspect of the business with an eye toward diversity, equity and inclusive growth. To that end, in partnership with SEPTA’s Board of Directors, Richards has implemented a fare restructuring plan that supports the needs of the region’s diverse communities, overseen the development of a new five-year strategic plan for the agency, and embarked on an extensive campaign to create a more equitable workplace and transit system for everyone. In recognition of this important work, Richards was a Gold Winner of the 2020 Stevie Award for Public Service Hero of the Year and a Silver Winner for Most Valuable Corporate Response. Prior to joining SEPTA, Richards served as the first woman secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), one of the largest and most innovative transportation agencies in the U.S. Richards left a lasting mark on the department by ensuring the long-term success of Pennsylvania’s multimodal transportation needs through sustainable infrastructure and innovative investments. She worked to improve efficiencies to meet funding challenges, broaden the planning and project development process to consider input from all stakeholders through the collaborative PennDOT Connects initiative, and build a diversified workforce that is prepared to solve 21st century transportation challenges. A recognized leader in transportation and planning, Richards currently serves on the Philadelphia Regional Recharge and Recovery Task Force, the America Public Transportation Association (APTA) Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Commuter Rail Coalition (CRC). Richards was named vice chairman of the 2019 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee and served as chair of the Active Transportation Council of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). She also previously served as the first female Chair of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, chair of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and as a member of the SEPTA Board. Richards has extensive leadership experience in the strategic planning and management of transportation projects both in her private-sector work in the planning and engineering fields over the past two decades, in addition to her work in state and local government. She previously served as the vice chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, where she led the transportation and planning initiatives for the third-largest county in the Commonwealth. Prior to being elected Commissioner, Richards was chair of the Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors. Throughout her career, Richards has been a mentor and staunch advocate for women and diversity in transportation and government and has been recognized for her leadership in the industry and commitment to public service. She received the prestigious Women in Transportation (WTS) International Woman of the Year Award for 2018, as well as the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials’ (COMTO) 2018 Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation award, the Philadelphia Business Journal 2017 Women of Distinction award and City and State PA’s 2018 Above and Beyond Distinguished Service award, the 2020 Railway Age Women in Rail award, among other notable honors. While serving as Secretary, Richards received the Villanova Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Justice Done Award, which names her as an ally in the fight to end sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in Pennsylvania. Prior to her public service, she worked in the private sector as a senior project manager for environmental and civil engineering firms. Richards earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and urban studies from Brown University, and a master’s degree in regional planning from the University of Pennsylvania. She teaches a studio class at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design. Richards is a lifelong Pennsylvania resident and lives with her husband in Philadelphia.

Robert Zuritsky has been the President and CEO of Parkway Corporation since 2005. He succeeded his father in these roles in a 90-year-old, 3rd generation family enterprise that Parkway is recognized nationally and internationally as an industry leader in parking, commercial real estate development and airport services. Over the last 30+ years, Rob has grown and fortified Parkway’s stature as a premier parking operator and has accelerated its participation in consistently successful development and JV investment across the country by broadening the firm’s internal capabilities and integrating technology into its industry leading operating platform. He has led investment in and development of real estate valued at over $1.0 billion. He currently serves on the board of the National Parking Association and as Chairman of the Philadelphia Municipal Parking Authority. He has served as a director or advisor to Hyperion Bank, Park Assist, and Sage Real Estate Group. Rob is a graduate of the University of Maryland and has an MBA from Temple University.

Anne Fadullon is the director of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD). DPD works with communities to promote, plan, preserve, and develop successful neighborhoods for all. As director, Anne has overseen the completion of Philadelphia’s first Comprehensive Plan since 1960. Her department produced and is implementing a Housing Action Plan to create or preserve 100,000 homes over ten years. Anne worked with the Office of the Mayor, City Council, and advocates to identify $186 million in new funding for affordable housing. She has led the consolidation of three quasi-public agencies to create a full-service community development organization. Anne chairs the Philadelphia City Planning Commission and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority board. Anne has 30 years of development experience in both the private and public sectors. She has developed affordable, mixed-income, market-rate, and mixed-use projects. Anne has a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and economics from Lehigh University. She has a master’s degree in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Anne spends her off hours looking for new places to kayak or wandering through the woods.

Frank Robinson is a vice president with Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI). Frank has been a leader in the economic development and sustainable development industries for over 20 years.