Laura Hendricks Highlights Transdev’s Commitment to Mentorship on APTA’s The Transit Authority Podcast
Transdev U.S. CEO Laura Hendricks recently joined a panel of transit leaders on the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) podcast, The Transit Authority, as part of National Mentoring Month alongside India L. Birdsong Terry, CEO of Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, Theo Richards, CEO of Capital Area Transit System (CATS), and Kristen Warsinski, CEO of Riverside Transit Agency. The discussion focused on how mentorship strengthens workforce retention and leadership development.
Hendricks reinforced that mentorship is an investment that pays for itself by fostering a dedicated, continuously upskilled workforce. By providing employees with structured guidance and professional development, mentorship programs drive retention and overall improvement across the organization.
Hendricks highlighted Transdev’s in-house mentorship program, Mentor@Transdev, which is in its fifth year and is designed to be accessible to employees at all levels and positions within the company. The program includes a one-year commitment from both mentors and mentees, with structured components such as regularly scheduled mentor-mentee meetings, lunch-and-learns featuring industry insights and leadership development skills, and ongoing feedback opportunities throughout and after the program to refine the experience.
Hendricks also highlighted Transdev’s Fairfax Apprenticeship Program in Fairfax, VA, which provides technical and maintenance training through a partnership with the Fairfax Connector, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI), and the International Transit Learning Center. This program is the first of its kind in Virginia to be certified by the commonwealth’s Department of Labor and works closely with local unions to cultivate skilled transit bus technicians.
Transdev is deeply committed to workforce development, with a clear focus on mentorship and skills training as fundamental pillars of its strategy. With Hendricks’ vision, she expressed her goal to spread the structure of the Fairfax Apprenticeship Program across Transdev’s 400+ locations. She emphasized the work Transdev does to nurture talent to drive success in the company, stating, “The most important thing we do is develop our people.” This commitment extends throughout every level of the organization, ensuring that employees are not only equipped with the skills they need but are also empowered to grow into leadership positions. By investing in its people, Transdev is creating a future-ready workforce that will continue to lead the way in transit innovation and customer service.
Read more about Transdev’s commitment to workforce development here: Workforce Development – Transdev United States
Beyond U.S. programs, Transdev has implemented a Global Women’s Mentorship Program, where senior executives mentor an international slate of Transdev employees. Transdev U.S. has had numerous individuals participate in the program where they have been able to foster international relationships across Transdev’s global network.
“At Transdev, we don’t see mentorship as a cost—it’s an investment,” Hendricks said. She credits mentorship for her own career growth, having started as a transportation driver with FedEx before working her way to becoming Transdev U.S.’s CEO. When visiting Transdev locations, she encourages employees, saying, “I know what it’s like to be in your position. At Transdev, you can grow into anything you want to be—just like I did.”
To hear the full discussion, tune in to APTA’s The Transit Authority podcast: Season 5, Episode 3: CEOs Share The Business Case For Mentor Programs.
