Leadership APTA

Dear Colleagues, 

We are pleased to announce that the Leadership APTA program is now accepting applications for the Leadership APTA Class of 2027. Since its first class in 1998, the program has graduated more than 725 participants and has become a cornerstone of leadership development in our industry.  

Leadership APTA is designed to cultivate senior and executive leaders who are recognized for their vision, commitment, and contributions to APTA and the transit industry.  Alumni have gone on to serve as APTA Chair, members of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and leaders of key committees and initiatives. Many have advanced to senior roles across the public, private, federal, and state sectors, demonstrating the program’s lasting impact.  

As a proud graduate of the Leadership APTA Class of 2002, I am grateful for the opportunities the program provided, including service on several committees and the privilege of supporting the Leadership APTA Committee and program over the years.  

Incoming members of the Leadership APTA Class of 2027 will have the opportunity to define a new vision, direction, and future for the public transportation industry. They will develop and refine new styles of leadership and create new strategies needed to navigate changing operational and financial paradigms. They will hone and demonstrate   new skills, insights, and practices. Class members will lead by example to provide extraordinary opportunities and access to our industry. 

 Members of the Class of 2027 will help shape the future of public transportation by developing new leadership approaches and strategies to meet evolving operational and financial challenges. They will enhance their skills through hands‑on learning, executive engagement, and collaboration with peers across the industry. 

During their year in the program, class members will build valuable relationships, alliances, and partnerships, while contributing innovative ideas to advance our industry and better serve our communities. The application deadline is Thursday, May 28, 2026.  Please visit the website which provides additional information.  Please review all application instructions carefully.  

We look forward to receiving your application and welcome your questions. If you need assistance regarding the program or the application process, please contact APTA’s Joe Niegoski at jniegoski@apta.com. 

Sincerely, 

Alva Carrasco
Director, Railroad & Transit – Los Angeles
Burns Engineering, Inc. 

Why Apply to Leadership APTA

Leadership APTA is the American Public Transportation Association’s premier professional development program for experienced leaders who aspire to hold senior and executive leadership positions in their organizations, in APTA, and the public transportation industry.

At its core, the Leadership APTA program is designed to:

• Develop and support the next generation of senior and executive leaders for APTA and the public transportation industry.
• Challenge class members to transform themselves to become visionary and resilient leaders who successfully lead and guide the industry, their organizations, APTA, and their communities.
• Provide class members with the opportunities, access, and resources to learn how to view the world as executive leaders.
• Take participants out of their comfort zones and challenge them to learn, listen, and communicate in ways that deepen their knowledge, skills, and insights about emerging arenas.
• Leverage the wisdom, talents and experiences of our industry’s executive leaders, Leadership APTA Committee members, and APTA’s members and partners. Engage with these recognized individuals during world-class executive round table sessions, customized workshops, and mentoring opportunities.
• Connect  class members with respected senior and executive industry leaders to help class members build their professional network.
• Offer  immediate means and recognition for class members to give back to APTA and the industry through their capstone projects, presentations, recordings, and executive summaries.
• Engage and refresh  class participants about the importance and value of APTA, including its purpose, leadership and governance structure, industry impact, committee involvement, and professional development opportunities.
• Support and sustain a collegial and professional environment that facilitates team building, networking, respect, and engaging communications with fellow classmates, alumni, committee and APTA members.

Program timeline for the Leadership APTA Class of 2027

• Thursday, May 28, 2026: Leadership APTA Class of 2027 online application deadline.
• Early August, 2026: The Leadership APTA Committee  meets to select the Leadership APTA Class of 2027.
• By mid-to-latter half of August 2026: APTA notifies the applicant’s organization’s CEO/GM or Supervisor or primary point-of-contact of the Committee’s decision per your application. Organization leaders are asked by APTA to share the Committee’s decision with their applicant.
• Mid-September 2026: All applicants receive a written letter from APTA with the Committee’s decision on their application.
• Mid-September 2026: Virtual Meeting with the Leadership APTA Class of 2027, Leadership APTA Committee, and staff.
• October 3-7, 2026:  APTA 2026 TRANSform & EXPO, Chicago, IL. The incoming Class of 2027 will participate in a program orientation facilitated by the graduating class, be introduced to Leadership APTA Committee leadership and its members, and Leadership APTA alumni. (Attendance at this session is optional, though highly encouraged.)
  • October 3, 2026 (planned): Special welcome and orientation workshop session for the Class of 2027, facilitated by the Class of 2026. (Highly recommended)
  • October 4-7, 2026: Opportunities to attend APTA committee meetings, attend the opening of APTA TRANSForm & EXPO, attend APTA Honors program, hear the Class of 2026 capstone presentations, participate in TRANSform sessions, visit the EXPO floor, workshops, and over 800 exhibitors, and related Leadership APTA events.
• October 30, 2026: Tuition payment due.
• Early-November 2026 (planned): Virtual Meeting – final prep for the planned in-person early December workshop.
• December 2-4, 2026  (Dates to be confirmed): Required in-person executive workshop in Washington, D.C.
• January–February 2027: Scheduled virtual meetings and sessions to discuss and come to consensus on leadership capstone project topics and teams.
• February 27-March 2,2027: Leadership APTA executive session and APTA Legislative Conference
  • February 27-28, 2027:  APTA required Leadership APTA planned workshops
  • February 28-March 2, 2027: APTA Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.
• Early March 2027-Summer 2027: Capstone project teamwork includes team planning and discussions, industry interviews, teleconferences, virtual practice sessions in preparation for planned August virtual deliveries of Capstone projects.
• June 3-5, 2027: Capstone Executive Session,  St. Louis, MO. Session to include preview presentations of your Capstone projects.
• June 6-9, 2027: Optional participation in APTA Rail Conference, St. Louis, MO
• August 2027: Virtual deliveries of Capstone Projects to Leadership APTA Committee Members and fellow classmates.
• Early-to-Mid-September 2027:  Prepare and deliver recordings of Leadership APTA Class of 2027 capstone presentations; submit related written Capstone Executive Summaries.
• September 25-29, 2027: APTA 2027 TRANSform Conference, Los Angeles  Graduating class honored. Opportunities for graduating class members to deliver capstone project presentations at TRANSform. Class members graduation and planned joint session (September 25th) with members of the graduating Class of 2027 and incoming Class of 2028.

Program Executive Sessions, Workshops, and Capstone Projects 

The Leadership APTA Class of 2027 will convene in person and virtually throughout the program year.

Throughout the year-long program, class participants will be provided with numerous opportunities to engage directly with APTA’s executive leadership, recognized industry leaders from public and private organizations, federal, state, and local officials, along with other industry and related leaders.

Over the course of the program year, class members will benefit from numerous sessions led by APTA’s executive leadership, agency and industry leaders, government affairs and policy experts, negotiations practitioners, workforce leaders, national safety and cybersecurity experts, leading university professors, and many others on the transformative role of today’s executive industry leaders.

Class members will have frequent opportunities to learn about, discuss, and support the priority initiatives of the APTA Chair, APTA, and the industry.

Class member teams will work on industry capstone projects and presentations that address present-day industry challenges  and opportunities.

In addition to their presentations, Capstone teams will also produce executive summaries and short video recordings that support their presentations. Class members’ presentations and executive summaries are promoted to APTA’s membership and the industry. They are showcased on the APTAU Learning site.

Each member of the Leadership APTA Class of 2027 must actively contribute and participate in the following sessions to graduate and receive a certificate of completion:

• Early December 2026: Planned three-day in-person executive round tables and workshop sessions in Washington, D.C.
• February/March 2027: APTA Legislative Conference and related in-person class workshops and executive round tables.
• June 2027: Class of 2027 Capstone Session with in-person executive round-table sessions and related workshops.
• Mid-to-Late August 2027: Planned virtual delivery of Capstone Projects to Leadership APTA Committee Members and guests.
• Early-to-mid September 2027: Planned recordings of Capstone Projects to be hosted on APTAU Learning.
• End September 2027: APTA TRANSform Conference in Los Angeles, CA: Planned executive workshops, graduation, and industry recognition; planned Capstone project presentations at TRANSform and conference sessions.
• In addition:
  • Class members work on their Capstone projects with fellow team members which includes participating in team presentations and producing written executive summaries for the industry.
  • Class members also participate in virtual planning sessions, meetings and prep sessions, and executive offerings.
• Highly Recommended: The program highly recommends attendance and full participation at the 2026 APTA TRANSform Conference & EXPO in Chicago, IL.  During the conference, class members will participate in customized Leadership APTA workshop sessions. Class members will be encouraged to take full advantage of the TRANSform conference sessions and EXPO showcase and its offerings.
• Additional Expectation: One of the goals of Leadership APTA is to develop future leaders of APTA. The Leadership APTA program requires that each sponsoring organization actively support at least one additional year of APTA involvement from its Leadership APTA participant immediately upon graduation through engagement on APTA committees, task forces, or special projects. Please keep in mind that APTA committees, subcommittees, and working groups meet in-person and virtually, which provides opportunities for easier engagement and involvement.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are selected to participate in the Leadership APTA program and you change jobs during the program year, your new employer must be an APTA member and complete a program commitment form provided by APTA for your continued participation in the program. You and your organization will be responsible for addressing any questions between your new and former employer surrounding your program tuition payment.

Eligibility Requirements 

The Leadership APTA program is designed to develop the next generation of senior and executive leaders in the public transportation industry. Candidates for Leadership APTA need to show the promise, desire, and potential to be part of executive teams, the C-suite, and other senior leadership positions.

Eligibility 

Leadership APTA is designed explicitly for APTA members working for public transportation systems, private sector businesses supplying goods or services to the public transit industry, or other organizations related to the industry. Only employees of APTA member organizations are eligible to apply.

Target Audience Profile 

• Candidates for Leadership APTA must have at least 10-15 years of significant work experience in the public or private sector, including at least three years or more of transit industry experience, plus a track record of demonstrated career progressions and successes.
• Candidates need to be proven, experienced leaders and managers with the drive, dedication, and promise to join senior and executive leadership ranks.  Candidates may also come from other positions and demonstrate the potential to be a strong, effective, and visionary leader.
• Candidates might be new general managers of small to mid-sized organizations, transit agency deputies and/or assistant general managers, or general managers or assistant general managers working for public transit service providers. They might be rising business and private sector program managers or senior project managers with a track record of recognized success and senior and executive leadership plans.
• Candidates must be at a director-level or equivalent position or higher, and at a high enough level in your organization where they can speak with authority about the goals, priorities, and significant issues their organization is addressing. 
• Candidates applying for the Leadership APTA Class of 2027 are expected to become actively involved in APTA immediately upon graduation. They must have the drive and desire to serve on APTA committees and task forces in areas of interest and benefit to themselves and their organizations. They need to be willing to assume leadership roles in committees, working groups, and task forces.

Applicants per APTA Member Organization 

APTA member organizations may submit only one candidate as your applicant for the Leadership APTA Class of 2027.

Organizations submitting more than one applicant run the risk that all of their organization’s applicants are disqualified from consideration.

Costs & Who Pays 

Leadership APTA participants are sponsored by their APTA member employers. The sponsoring organization provides the monetary resources and allows the time required for their candidates to participate in the related events and activities critical to their success in the Leadership APTA program.

Tuition 

The tuition fee for the Leadership APTA Class of 2027 is $9,800.

The tuition fee also includes:

• Workshop materials and some meals during the required Leadership APTA Workshop sessions:
  • Workshop sessions that precede the October 2026 APTA TRANSform Conference & EXPO (highly recommended but not required)
  • Early December 2026 session.
  • Virtual sessions that precede  the February/March 2027 Legislative Conference.
  • June Capstone Session that precedes the 2027 Rail Conference.
  • Virtual workshop sessions that precede the  September 2027 APTA TRANSform Conference.
• Special note: Tuition fee also includes registration fees for the 2026 APTA TRANSform Conference & EXPO, 2027 APTA Legislative Conference, June 2027 Rail Conference, and 2027 APTA TRANSform Conference.

Sponsoring organizations are responsible for the following costs:

• The tuition fee.
• Travel costs to and from the Leadership APTA workshops, Legislative Conference, and APTA TRANSform Conferences.
• Hotel expenses, some meals, and related miscellaneous expenses.

Participating agencies and organizations should plan for participants to attend the following  in-person program-related events:

• 2026 early December Leadership APTA workshop in Washington, D.C. (required attendance)
• February/March 2027 Legislative Conference and Leadership APTA workshops (required attendance) held in conjunction with the conference
• June 2027 Capstone session (required attendance) held in conjunction with the June 2027 Rail Conference
• August virtual deliveries of their Capstone Projects (required attendance)
• 2027 APTA TRANSform Conference (required attendance at workshops, committee presentations, and graduation)
• We strongly encourage the Class of 2027 members to attend the 2026 APTA TRANSform Conference & EXPO and related Leadership APTA sessions.

Special Note: in addition to the above planned in-person sessions and events, the program also will include a number of virtual sessions scheduled during the course of the program.

Estimated Travel: 

The following is provided to help organizations plan for hotel and related costs associated with the Leadership APTA sessions and related events:

• Early December 2026 Session (Washington, DC): Three to four hotel nights, two travel days, for three planned in-person days.
• February/March 2027 Legislative Conference (Washington, DC): Four to five hotel nights, two travel days, and four planned in-person days for the conference and related Leadership APTA workshops.
• June 2027 Capstone Session (St. Louis, MO): Three to four hotel nights, two travel days, and three planned in-person days in conjunction with the 2027 APTA Rail Conference.
• 2026 APTA TRANSform Conference & EXPO (Chicago, IL); 2027 APTA TRANSform Conference (Los Angeles, CA): A minimum of three to four hotel nights and two travel days each conference. Full attendance at both TRANSform Conferences could involve a total of eight to ten hotel nights.  Attendance at 2026 APTA TRANSform & EXPO is not required but highly recommended. Attendance at the 2027 APTA TRANSform Conference is required.

CEOs, General Managers, and Executive Directors sponsoring candidates recognize that an employee’s participation in Leadership APTA is extremely valuable to their organizations. Since the first Leadership APTA Class of 1998, leaders in the public transportation industry from public agencies and private businesses have watched their investment in this program return great dividends.

Sponsors understand that their commitment and support means allowing their Leadership APTA participant to attend the following planned required workshops and conferences:

• Early December 2026 – executive round table and workshop sessions (in-person)
• February/March 2027 – Legislative Conference and workshop sessions (in-person)
• June 2027 – Capstone Executive sessions (in-person)
• Late August 2027 – Delivery of Capstone Presentations (virtual)
• Late September 2027 – APTA TRANSform Conference (in-person)

Special Note: APTA highly encourages that incoming class members attend the 2026 APTA TRANSform Conference & EXPO including customized workshops for incoming class members.

Executive sponsors also recognize that their Leadership APTA participants will spend time over the year participating via in-person executive workshops, virtual sessions, and working on their capstone projects, including related virtual meetings. Upon graduation, Class of 2027 members will also serve as program coaches and mentors for the incoming Class of 2028.

Reminder: One of the goals of Leadership APTA is to develop future leaders of APTA. The Leadership APTA program requires that each sponsoring organization actively support at least one additional year of APTA involvement from its Leadership APTA participant immediately upon graduation through participation on APTA committees, task forces, or special projects. APTA thanks and recognizes our industry members who leverage their Leadership APTA graduates as valued leaders within their organizations and the industry.

The Leadership APTA Classes are pleased to share their capstone projects with APTA members and the transit industry. Over the course of the program, class members identified and addressed six hot-topic areas for the industry, interviewed and met with well over one hundred industry CEOs, senior leaders, and national experts. In addition, they conducted related surveys and research to produce some exceptional presentations and reports.

The recent capstones videos are available on APTAU Learning

View videos

Before applying, please read through each page of the Leadership APTA website to familiarize yourself with the program’s goals and requirements, planned session dates and locations, tuition fees, related costs, and other areas.

If you are selected, please ensure you can fulfill the program’s requirements and that you have the full support of your sponsoring organization’s senior and executive leadership.

All required application materials must be submitted to the Leadership APTA application site by midnight EDT, Thursday, May 28, 2026. 

Reminder – Only ONE applicant per APTA Member Organization: APTA member organizations may submit only ONE candidate as your applicant for the Leadership APTA Class of 2027. Organizations submitting more than one applicant run the risk of all their applications being disqualified.

If you have questions or concerns about any of the above points and deadlines, please reach out to APTA’s Joe Niegoski at jniegoski@apta.com.

How to Apply – Please Read Carefully and Follow All Instructions

Individuals interested in applying for the program must provide the following information:

Online Application: Please complete your online application, including your applicant profile information.

Short Answer Essay Questions:

• The Committee is asking you five questions. Think of your replies as a “written  conversation” between you and members of the Leadership APTA Committee who select the next class. Committee members are very interested in hearing your “authentic voice,” an unaided voice, when reading your replies.
• Focus your attention on the questions being asked. Provide clear, well thought out replies to each of the questions. Each of the five questions on the application form will provide you a word count range.
  • Why are you applying for the Leadership APTA program?
  • What are your primary areas for personal growth and professional development while attending the program?
  • Identify and describe three career goals that you have for the next 2-3 years.
  • How and why will you benefit from the Leadership APTA program?
  • Looking into the future, where do you see yourself within APTA and the public transportation industry?
• Please note: The clarity and quality of your replies to each question are primary ways the Leadership APTA Committee members will learn about you, your qualifications, and aspirations.

We encourage you to have a trusted coach and advisor review your replies, resume, and application packet prior to its submission. Provide them with the related questions and instructions. Benefit from their feedback.

• Letter of Recommendation (Supervisor): This letter should come from your direct supervisor. If a letter from your direct supervisor may not be possible for stated reasons, we recommend that you ask a client or a recent/former public transit agency senior official.
  • Special note: If you report directly to your General Manager/CEO, please ask a former supervisor, client, or other senior leader who can speak to your leadership, accomplishments, and examples of past successes to prepare this letter.
  • Please provide the below guidance to those preparing the supervisor’s letter. The letter should clearly address the following:
    • Give testimony through concrete examples of your leadership capabilities and why you would benefit from the program at this point in your career.
    • Identify specific areas for professional growth and improvement through your participation in the program.
• Letter of Recommendation (General Manager/CEO/Executive Director):  This letter must come from the highest-ranking official, e.g., general manager, CEO, President or Executive Director of the public transit agency, Company/Organization President, CEO, Division CEO, or organization sponsoring you as an applicant.
• Please provide the below guidance to those preparing this letter. This letter should clearly address the following:
  • Give examples of your leadership growth, career progression, and successes to senior leadership/executive ranks in your organization.
  • Address what contributions to your organization would be envisioned after attending the Leadership APTA program.
  • Very importantly, the letter from General Manager/CEO/Executive Director needs to address your anticipated career trajectory.
  • This letter may include references to any special recognition and commendations.

Special note:

• If you are the principal of a small business applying to the program, we ask that your first letter of recommendation come from your Board Chair and the second letter comes from your recent client.

Please note:

• The Committee will  not consider additional letters or recommendations when reviewing an applicant’s packet.
• The Committee highly discourages any APTA member from petitioning or lobbying the Leadership APTA Committee members to select their candidate.

Resume:

• Your resume needs to include current and past positions with dates of experience in public transportation and related industries.
• Your resume needs to include examples of your career progression and leadership responsibilities.
• Job descriptions or equivalent documents are not acceptable resume submissions.
• Please limit your resume (PDF Copy) to no more than two (2) pages.

Summary:

• Be authentic, clear, and direct when addressing the above five essay questions. Do not exceed the word count.
• Be sure you have provided guidance and related directions to those preparing your letters of recommendation.
• Do not exceed the two-page limit for your resume. 
  • Do not submit a multi-page resume you may have used for a proposal.
• Not adhering to these guidelines may jeopardize your application submission.

Link to Apply:

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