WTS Express - November/December 2010

Margaret Donahoe

Title: Executive Director
Company/Agency: The Minnesota Transportation Alliance
WTS Member Since: 2006

What do you do in your position on a daily basis, and what do you enjoy most about your job? My job involves a wide variety of activities so there isn't really a typical day. I am responsible for managing the Alliance including overseeing the staff, managing the budget, working to maintain and expand membership in the Alliance, and dealing with administrative tasks.

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I also work as the chief lobbyist for the organization which involves working with my members to develop a legislative agenda, meeting one-on-one with legislators, attending committee hearings and sometimes testifying at hearings, providing weekly updates on legislative activity to the membership and working with legislators to get bills passed -- this is the part of my job that I enjoy the most. There is nothing like watching an idea go from a thought to a bill to a law.

I also produce reports on specific issues of concern, such as our Alliance recommendations for the next multi-year surface transportation authorization act, and develop materials to help policymakers understand how transportation in Minnesota is funded and why this funding is so critical. Currently, I'm working with my members to develop a long-range vision for transportation in Minnesota.

My job involves interacting with the media and providing comments and information on transportation for news reporters and editorial boards. I am also asked to speak to various groups throughout the year about transportation funding issues. The Alliance has some special contracts with certain members so I also work on more closely with certain groups on transportation advocacy efforts.

The Alliance hosts three major events throughout the year: Transportation Day at the Capitol, the Washington, D.C. Fly-In and the Alliance Annual Meeting featuring the Construction Forecast. I oversee the planning and execution of these events as well as some other smaller, more impromptu events such as candidate forums during election years.

Fill in the blank: Outside of work, you'd most likely find me...Spending time with my children: Conor - 13 and Maryn - 11. I stay busy taking them to activities including piano lessons, ice skating lessons and competitions, baseball games and bandy games. I like to help them with homework and to spend time just hanging out with them at home.

How did you learn about WTS and why did you decide to join? I first learned about WTS when I worked for the Minnesota Senate. I worked as the Committee Administrator for the Senate Transportation Budget Division and I remember attending a WTS event honoring the woman I worked for - Senator Janet Johnson, Chair of the Transportation Budget Division and Senator Carol Flynn, Chair of the Transportation Committee and Rep. Jean Wagenius, Chair of the House Transportation Committee. I was impressed by all of the women who work in the transportation industry and how the organization supported and encouraged women to be leaders in transportation.

After I left the Minnesota Senate, I started working for the Minnesota Transportation Alliance and decided to join WTS to be more involved and get to know more of the women working in transportation in Minnesota.

How have you been involved with WTS over the years?

In addition to attending educational programs and events like the Holiday Party, I have provided presentations at WTS meetings on transportation funding and efforts to increase funding through the legislative process.

In 2007 I was extremely honored to receive the Minnesota Chapter Woman of the Year award after working with many people in the transportation industry on the campaign to pass the constitutional amendment dedicating the motor vehicle sales tax revenue to highways and transit.

What has being a WTS member meant for you? I have really appreciated the friendships I've made with women in WTS. When I was promoted to Executive Director of the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, it was even more important to me to have an organization to be part of that is so supportive of women leaders.

I think WTS does a great job of providing useful information, keeping members engaged and interested and supporting future women leaders in transportation.