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• Procurement Series: West Coast Small Business Academy

  • When
    18 Mar 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81736605022

  Register

  
  

  Procurement Series: West Coast Small Business Academy
  Wednesday, March 18, 2026

  LIT is proud to present the Procurement Series: West Coast Small Business Academy, an informational session designed for small businesses interested in contracting opportunities with transit agencies across the West Coast.

  This session will provide an inside look at agency procurement and RFP processes, upcoming contracting opportunities, key timelines, and how small businesses can position themselves for success when pursuing public transportation contracts.

  Participants will hear directly from procurement professionals and agency leaders who manage contracting, compliance, and outreach programs across major transit agencies. The session will also include time for questions, allowing small businesses to better understand how to navigate procurement systems and build successful partnerships within the transit industry.

  Whether you are new to public transportation contracting or looking to strengthen your approach, this Academy will help you better understand how to navigate transit procurement and prepare for future opportunities. Join LIT on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 to gain valuable insight and take the next step in expanding your business within the transit industry.

  Speaker Agenda

  9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (PT)
  Presentation from Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and regional partner agencies including BART, Sacramento Regional Transit District, Western Contra Costa Transit Authority, and the City of Vacaville.

  11:00 AM (PT)
  Presentation from OmniTrans Procurement Team

  12:00 PM – 12:30 PM (PT)
  Presentation from Edson Ives Zavala, PMP, Deputy Executive Director, Economic Development, Sound Transit

  12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (PT)
  Presentation from Christopher Pieper, MBA, CPPO, Director of Procurement, Foothill Transit

  Featured Speakers

  Luz Campos
  Program Specialist, Contract Compliance and Outreach
  Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)

  Luz Campos supports small business participation in public contracting at MTC by leading outreach and compliance efforts that help firms navigate contracting opportunities. She also serves as Chair of the Business Outreach Committee and Treasurer for COMTO Northern California, where she advocates for increased access and collaboration for diverse businesses.

  Alexandra Arroyo
  Senior Administrative Analyst
  Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)

  Alexandra Arroyo supports performance management and procurement analysis at BART, focusing on data validation, program evaluation, and compliance across major projects. Her background includes over a decade supporting Alameda County programs in behavioral health, workforce development, and community services.

  Tania Babcock
  Grants and Compliance Manager
  Western Contra Costa Transit Authority

  Tania Babcock brings more than 25 years of experience in public transportation and oversees grant management and regulatory compliance for Western Contra Costa Transit Authority. As DBE Liaison Officer, she also leads outreach and compliance efforts to increase participation from small and disadvantaged businesses.

  Jessica Bennick Shevlin
  Manager, Procurement Services
  Sacramento Regional Transit District

  Jessica Bennick Shevlin has worked at Sacramento Regional Transit District for more than two decades across procurement, finance, and operations. She is committed to promoting fair procurement practices and helping small businesses better understand government contracting opportunities.

  Tateyana Hendricks
  Management Analyst
  City of Vacaville

  Tateyana Hendricks is a Management Analyst with the City of Vacaville. She helps oversee the City’s public transportation programs.

  Edson Ives Zavala, PMP
  Deputy Executive Director, Economic Development
  Sound Transit

  Edson Zavala leads economic development initiatives at Sound Transit focused on expanding opportunities for small, minority, and women-owned businesses. He oversees the agency’s DBE and Small Business programs, technical assistance, and outreach efforts supporting inclusive participation in regional transit development.

  Christopher Pieper, MBA, CPPO
  Director of Procurement
  Foothill Transit

  Chris Pieper is the Director of Procurement at Foothill Transit in West Covina, California. He has more than 12 years of experience in transit procurement, focusing on major infrastructure projects, contracted operations, and federal compliance. He is a graduate of the American Public Transportation Association’s Leadership APTA program and previously served as Chair of the California Association of Public Procurement Officials Gateway Chapter representing Los Angeles County.

  
  

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• Café Con LIT March 2026

  • When
    20 Mar 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89516333040

  Register

  

  Join us for the next Café con LIT conversation, The Power of Transit Branding, featuring marketing and communications consultant Erika Finnestead.
  
  With more than 15 years of experience in strategic communications, marketing, and public engagement, Erika Finnestead has helped mission-driven organizations connect with the communities they serve across government, nonprofit, transit, and private sectors. Erika’s work focuses on transforming complex programs into clear, accessible messaging that builds trust and inspires action.
  
  From Erika’s experience, the number one question she gets asked is, “Should we update our logo?” But the real question is often, “Where is your logo?” Nine times out of ten, agencies want to update their brand but cannot even locate the assets they already have. Her takeaway is simple: organization is brand gold.
  
  Erika has supported initiatives to grow ridership in underserved communities, launched statewide advocacy campaigns, and developed innovative engagement programs such as amBUSsador initiatives. Through data-informed storytelling and inclusive outreach strategies, Erika has helped organizations strengthen public engagement and secure funding.
  
  A recognized community leader and public speaker, Erika has shared communications and engagement strategies with audiences across eight states.
  
  
  

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• Dine with LIT - Albuquerque NM

  • When
    30 Mar 2026
  •  
    4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Location
    Tucanos Brazilian Grill, 110 Central Ave. SW Albuquerque, NM 87102
  • Spaces left
    125

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• Workforce Task Force: Using Project Management (PM) Tools to Drive Equity in Transit Engagement

  • When
    9 Apr 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Location
    https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87895676070

  Register

  

  LIT Workforce Task Force: Peer-to-Peer Training Series

  The LIT Workforce Task Force Peer-to-Peer Training Series is designed to provide practical, real-world learning opportunities led by professionals working within the public transportation industry. This initiative focuses on peer-level knowledge sharing, where individuals at similar career stages exchange insights, strategies, and tools they use in their daily work.

  Unlike traditional top-down training models, this series allows professionals at the entry and mid-career levels to present directly to their peers. By doing so, participants gain relatable perspectives from colleagues who understand the challenges, opportunities, and realities of their roles. These sessions also provide managers and agency leadership with valuable insight into the experiences, ideas, and innovations emerging from the workforce.

  The Peer-to-Peer Training Series supports LIT’s mission to strengthen professional development, build leadership capacity, and create collaborative learning environments across the transit industry.

  First Training Session
  The first session will be presented by Carina Solis, Community Affairs Representative at TriMet, titled:

  “Workforce Task Force: Using Project Management (PM) Tools to Drive Equity in Transit Engagement.”

  In this session, Carina will share practical project management tools and strategies that can help transit professionals organize community engagement efforts, improve collaboration, and advance equitable outcomes in transit planning and outreach.

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• Network with LIT - Washington DC

  • When
    13 Apr 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    WMATA Rooftop, 300 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024
  • Spaces left
    123

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• LIT 5K - Run, Walk, or Roll

  • When
    17 May 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM
  • Location
    Memory Grove, 300 N Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
  • Spaces left
    115

  Register

  ⚠️ Reminder: To participate in the race, you must purchase your race entry on RunSignUp using the link below.

  https://runsignup.com/Race/UT/SaltLakeCity/LIT5KRun
  

  

  
  

  LIT 5K Run, Walk, or Roll

  APTA Mobility Week | Memory Grove Park

  Headed to APTA Mobility Week? Lace up and represent transit!

  Join us for the LIT 5K Run, Walk, or Roll, a fun, high-energy event celebrating workforce development in transit and inspiring the next generation of transit and STEM careers.

  Whether you're running the full 5K or participating in the 1-mile option, this professionally chip-timed event welcomes participants of all fitness levels. Walk, roll, jog, or run while connecting with colleagues and champions of workforce development across the transit industry.

  This isn’t just a race — it’s a movement.

  Participants will run or walk along the beautiful paths of Memory Grove Park, one of the most scenic parks in the United States, featuring peaceful trails and stunning mountain views. It’s the perfect way to kick off Mobility Week with energy, community, and purpose.

  Represent Transit

  Show your transit pride by wearing your favorite transit swag or a transit-inspired outfit!

  Rock your:

  • Agency gear

  • Safety vest

  • Hard hat (great for photos!)

  • Rail-inspired colors

  • Bus graphics

  • STEM-themed attire

  Let’s make this a visible celebration of the professionals who keep our communities moving.

  Timing & Results

  The 5K race will be professionally chip-timed, with timing chips attached to your race bib. Official race results will be posted online following the event.

  The 1-mile option is untimed and designed for participants who want to enjoy a casual walk, roll, or jog while supporting the mission.

  Commemorative Medal

  The first 100 participants to cross the finish line in the 5K will receive a limited-edition commemorative medal celebrating the inaugural LIT 5K at APTA Mobility Week.

  Bib / Packet Pickup

  Bib and packet pickup details: TBD.
  Participants will receive an email with pickup times and location prior to the event.

  Limited race-day pickup may be available.

  Awards

  Awards will be presented to the Top Overall Male and Female finishers in the 5K. Additional recognition may be given for Best Transit-Inspired Outfit.

  Who Should Participate

  This event brings together:

  • Transit professionals

  • Conference attendees

  • Students interested in transit and STEM careers

  • Community members and mobility advocates

  Participants represent careers across the industry, including:

  • Operations

  • Planning

  • Engineering

  • Technology

  • Maintenance

  • Leadership

  • Marketing and Communications

  • Administration

  All fitness levels are welcome.

  About Latinos In Transit

  The LIT 5K Run, Walk, or Roll is hosted by Latinos In Transit (LIT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering professionals in the transit industry to achieve leadership roles.

  Through mentorship, networking, education, and workforce development programs, LIT strengthens the transit industry by investing in people and expanding career pathways in public transportation.

  Presented By

  A special thank you to Keolis for presenting this first-of-its-kind LIT 5K and supporting the future of transit careers.

  ⚠️ Reminder: To participate in the race, you must purchase your race entry on RunSignUp using the link below.

  https://runsignup.com/Race/UT/SaltLakeCity/LIT5KRun

  
  

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• 2026 Leadership Summit, Columbus, OH

  • Start
    10 Sep 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM
  • End
    13 Sep 2026
  •  
    11:30 PM
  • Location
    402 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Spaces left
    169

  Register

  
  

  Summit Host Hotel: 
  

  Hilton Downtown Columbus Ohio

  402 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215

  Reserve your room here!

  
  

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