ITE Talks Transportation

Tamika L. Butler, Esq., director of Equity and Inclusion at Toole Design, joins the ITE Talks Transportation Podcast to discuss the critical issue of equity in transportation. She delves deep into the challenges confronting transportation professionals when it comes to designing systems and communities that are safer, more accessible, and more equitable for all, and discusses key disparities and concerns currently at play in the industry.

We’d like to give our listeners a little perspective on you beyond your work and ITE. Can you give us some insights on what you like to do when you are not focused on transportation?

We have covered a variety of topics in our Q&A sessions, what area haven’t we touched on that you are passionate about and would like to share with our members?

ITE is an international organization with members in more than 75 countries, but the vast majority of our members are in North America. How do we best balance the desire to have a larger global presence with the reality of where the majority of our current members live and work?

ITE is seeking to broaden its reach and become a true “Community of Transportation Professionals. What should we be doing to attract and retain a broader, more diverse membership?

During the last couple of years the One ITE initiative has brought quite a bit of change to ITE. We have created one wholly new District, restructured several other Districts. This year we will add 16 new Sections and finish new charters and bylaws for all ITE entities. Going forward how can we take advantage of these changes to operate as OneITE and what can we do to best support our leaders at these local levels?

ITE has been focusing on emerging issues in transportation through its Institute Initiatives – Vision Zero, Smart Communities, Transportation and Health, Connected and Automated Vehicles and Maas/MOD – are you passionate about one of those areas or do you see a new emerging issue that ITE should be exploring?

At the end of the day, participation in an organization comes down to member value. What opportunities do you see for ITE to strengthen our value and services to ITE members?

You have held a variety of leadership roles, both in ITE and in the organizations where you have worked. Describe your leadership style, and then describe whether or how you might need to adapt your approach to lead a diverse international organization with an elected board.

Why are you seeking this position and why now? If elected, what strengths will you would bring to the ITE Executive Committee and ultimately as ITE International President?