Resilience in action: RTD panel highlights women leaders in transit
Women’s History Month at RTD centers on a simple but fundamental message: leadership is not defined by title alone. It’s demonstrated in how individuals show up, adapt, and contribute to the people and systems that keep the agency moving forward.
A panel discussion, titled “Resilience and Reinvention: Women Shaping the Future of Transportation,” moderated by RTD CEO and General Manager Debra A. Johnson and featuring leaders from across the agency, gave employees a firsthand look at how that message takes shape in practice. From navigating new industries to personal challenges within leadership roles, the panelists shared their experiences growing within the transportation industry. One theme surfaced repeatedly: growth rarely follows a straight line.
Click here to watch complete panel discussion
RTD Director of Talent and Organizational Development Dr. Melissa McDowell reflected on stepping into a role that required building a department from the ground up while transitioning from a career in academia to transit.
“Sometimes you have to flip the script in your mind when you feel like you're facing a challenge in adversity,” McDowell said. “You have to say to yourself, OK, am I going to catastrophize this moment? Or is this a challenge where I actually will get to show my skills, my ability, all the experience that I've had before coming to this point?”
Panelists emphasized that reinvention is often less about a singular moment, and more about a sustained approach to learning, curiosity, and persistence. Civil Rights Division Director Kellie Irving described resilience as the ability to adapt across environments while staying grounded in purpose.
“To be resilient, I’ve had to be able to pivot my leadership,” Irving said. “Resilience comes in being able to deal with the adversity and being able to pivot to be able to deliver something quality to not only your program but to the people that you work with.”
Manager of Cybersecurity Architecture and Engineering Jessica Guardia offered a personal perspective on resilience and reinvention after a career transition coincided with a serious illness that tested both her physical and mental limits.
“I had this drive and I just knew I needed to keep going,” Guardia said. “There'd be days where I wouldn't even get out of bed, but one of the biggest things that I really held onto is that this is something that I enjoy, that I loved. It's actually what propelled me.”
Women’s History Month provides a moment to recognize these contributions, but the importance extends well throughout the entire year. Across the agency, women continue shape the future of public transportation by showing up, supporting one another, and leading through change. As RTD looks ahead, the discussion reinforced when opportunity expands and diverse leadership voices are heard, the entire system becomes stronger for everyone.