Overview

More state and local governments are prioritizing equity in infrastructure projects to deliver infrastructure that meets the needs of constituents and positively contributes to communities. This shift has created a need for a system that helps organizations develop and adequately measure clear equity goals.

Inequity is a systemic issue that requires a systemic response. Cementing the principles of equity into the fabric of infrastructure projects offers sustainable solutions to challenges experienced by governments. Modern tools can help organizations track equity goals and collect detailed public feedback to deliver a democratized infrastructure process.

Join us on October 26 for an interactive webinar where we’ll discuss:

What can be learned from past infrastructure projects that did not center on equity as a core value
How the exclusion of equity in capital planning is impacting communities today
The best practices for agencies to track and plan equity

Speakers

Brenda Decker — Moderator

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Brenda Decker most recently spent five years with IBM as a Director for Global Government Industry services. Prior to IBM, Brenda served in Nebraska state government for 37 years, 10+ years as the state's chief information officer with responsibility for state government computing, telecommunications, public safety radio, and video conferencing. Her expertise leading, transforming and managing large IT organizations has created high-performing teams and partnered cross functional public and private organizations. Her work has garnered both local and national recognition for her contributions to government technology.

Yassmin Gramian — Panelist

Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Yassmin Gramian, PE, serves as the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, a position that she assumed in May 2020. She manages PennDOT’s annual budget of $9.5 billion and oversees programs and policies affecting highways, urban and rural public transportation, airports, railroads, ports, and waterways. Under her leadership, the department is directly responsible for Pennsylvania’s vast system of state and local highways and bridges, as well as oversees the state’s vehicle registration, driver’s licenses and ID operations. Gramian assumed the role of secretary amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. This challenging time necessitated quick, decisive action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to best protect citizens, employees, and business partners. Under Gramian's leadership, PennDOT moved swiftly during the early stages of the pandemic to transfer essential functions to remote operations, while continuing to ensure roads were kept safe and passable, and crews remained available for responding to weather events. Gramian also serves as chair of the Transportation Revenue Options Commission (TROC), which was established by Executive Order of Governor Tom Wolf to develop comprehensive funding recommendations for Pennsylvania's large and aging infrastructure. Prior to joining PennDOT, Gramian worked for over 30 years in operations, design, and management of transportation infrastructure systems, including highway, tolling, bridge, and railroad projects. Gramian earned master's and bachelor's degrees in civil engineering from the University of Michigan and completed the Tuck Management Training Program at Dartmouth College. She is a professional engineer in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Florida.

Shawn Wilson — Panelist

Secretary of Louisiana DOT

Dr. Shawn Wilson was appointed Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) by Governor John Bel Edwards in January of 2016 and is now serving as Secretary for a second term. He has more than 15 years of executive service at DOTD. Under his leadership thus far, DOTD has ushered in project finance and project innovations, including Public Private Partnerships and Construction Manager at Risk projects. During his tenure as Secretary, DOTD has awarded more than $4.6 billion in construction projects. Dr. Wilson is Vice-Chair of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee and is the President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Dr. Wilson earned a B.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Louisiana and holds a Master of Public Administration degree, as well as a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy at Southern University.

Jennifer Cohan — Panelist

CEO, Leadership Delaware

Prior to joining Leadership Delaware, Jennifer Cohan led the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) under two Governors, where she led agency wide reforms and produced the largest capital program in the State’s history. Prior to her appointment as Secretary, Jennifer served as the Director of the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles as the first woman to do so. Her state public service career spanned more than 31 years. Her previous work includes serving as the Financial/Program Manager at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) managing the state’s Clean Water Program and working with the Delaware State Legislature within the Office of the Controller General. Jennifer graduated summa cum laude from Wilmington University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Science in Public Administration and attended the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. She remains involved with Wilmington University as an adjunct professor teaching Leadership and Public Policy in the master’s program for over a decade. She has held an array of national and international leadership roles in Transportation, Leadership, Public Policy, and Motor Vehicle and Personal Identity Administration, always with a focus on customer service.

Webinar

Improving Equity in Public Infrastructure