In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Transdev shines a spotlight on transit trailblazers making a difference in transportation. Meet Nuria Fernandez, transit leader and visionary. Borth in Panama City, Panama, Fernandez grew up with a love for building and problem-solving, which later led her to study civil engineering in college. After moving to the United States, she earned her engineering degree at Bradley University and later a master’s degree in business at Roosevelt University.
Fernandez worked in many cities, including Washington D.C., Chicago, and New York, helping run large transit systems. In 2014, she became the head of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in California. There, she led important projects, like bringing Bay Area Rapid Transit train service to more parts of Silicon Valley, and worked to make sure small and minority-owned businesses had more chances to succeed.
In 2021, Nuria made history when she became the first woman of color confirmed by the U.S. Senate to lead the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). She focused on making public transportation safe, fair, and modern, while also creating training programs to help workers grow in their careers.
Today, Fernandez continues to share her knowledge as a principal and CEO of AMDC Consulting LLC. Her story shows how strong leadership can help connect people, jobs, schools, and opportunities to make a difference in society.
Transdev is proud to share the story of Nuria Fernandez in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month!
