Join us for an engaging look into our region’s dynamic mobility patterns, how different networks interact, and opportunities for improvement. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic changes that have occurred in recent years. This session cuts through complexity to provide attendees with a clear, data-driven picture of our current mobility landscape, directly from those making it happen.
Speakers:
- Shakir Hussein, Director of Traffic and Planning, 407 ETR
- Teresa Di Felice, AVP, Government and Community Relations, CAA
- Laura Miller, Head of Public Policy & Communications - Canada, Uber
- Eve Wiggins, Director of Transit, City of Mississauga
Moderator:
- Karla Avis-Birch, Chief Planning Officer, Metrolinx
Shakir Hussein, Director of Traffic and Planning, 407 ETR
With over 20 years of experience in highway traffic, planning, and operations, Shakir is the Director of Traffic and Planning at 407 ETR, the world's first all-electronic and premier open-access toll highway. He leads teams responsible for management, shareholder and grantor reporting, forecasting, and infrastructure planning, ensuring that the highway remains safe and free flowing to support Ontario’s economy and improve the daily lives of Ontarians.
He holds an Executive MBA from Queen's University Smith School of Business, a Master’s in Civil Engineering from The University of Toronto, a Liberal Arts Honours Degree in Geography from Toronto Metropolitan University and a PMP certification. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Business Administration from the Sobey School of Business at the University of Saint Mary's.
He has been recognized for innovation as a recipient of multiple Ferrovial international innovation awards and the Brampton Board of Trade Top 40 Under 40 award.
Teresa Di Felice, AVP, Government and Community Relations, CAA
Teresa is the AVP of Government & Community Relations for the CAA Club Group of companies, Canada's largest CAA club. She has been with CAA since 2005.
She is responsible for the overall direction and execution of the organization’s advocacy strategies and programs. She also oversees CCG’s corporate contributions programs.
Teresa’s breadth and range of knowledge on infrastructure, transportation, road safety, automotive and industry issues related to CAA’s work has resulted in many contributions to the development and execution of sound public policy. These include input into the province’s cycling strategy, being a member of the Premier’s panel on the Transit Investment Strategy, tow industry reform and other road safety initiatives.
Laura Miller, Head of Public Policy & Communications - Canada, Uber
Laura Miller leads public policy and communications for Uber in Canada. Alongside her team, Laura’s work focuses on Labour and the Future of Work, Sustainability and the Road to Zero-Emissions, and Social Impact partnerships. Prior to joining Uber, Laura directed marketing and communications at Elevate, an organization focussed on uniting Canada’s innovators to solve society’s greatest challenges, and at a property technology firm based in British Columbia. She started her career in politics and government where she had the honour of supporting two Premiers and a Prime Minister. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts from Western University.
Eve Wiggins, Director of Transit, City of Mississauga
Eve Wiggins, the Director of Transit for MiWay in the City of Mississauga, possesses a distinguished career spanning over three decades in Transportation. Holding a Master’s of Science in Airport Planning and Management from Loughborough University (pronounced Luffboro) in the United Kingdom, she earned extensive strategy, planning, safety and operations expertise cultivated through 20 years in aviation on three continents.
Eve's Public Transit trajectory started with the pivotal role of Group Station Manager at the Toronto Transit Commission, as part of Andy Byford’s modernization of the third-largest transit system in North America. Subsequently, she undertook leadership of the TTC's paratransit operation, Wheel Trans, where she formulated and executed a 10-year strategy for integrating accessible travel with the conventional systems of bus, streetcar, and subway.
In 2018, Eve was recruited by Metrolinx, the Provincial transit operator, where she served as the Vice President Bus Services for four years. During her tenure, she implemented the Regional Express Bus strategy and adeptly navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic. This fall, she assumed the role of Director of Transit for MiWay in the City of Mississauga.
Karla Avis-Birch, Chief Planning Officer, Metrolinx
As Chief Planning Officer, Karla extends her tenure at Metrolinx and builds on her executive leadership and award-winning, multi-billion-dollar project delivery experience.
Throughout her career, Karla has overseen the construction and completion of countless instrumental infrastructural pieces and has accelerated the delivery of service. In her previous role as Vice President, GO Stations Capital Delivery, she established Metrolinx’s first Project Controls & Design Standards Office, partnered with Infrastructure Ontario on the procurement of P3 projects, and was accountable for the delivery of transformational GO Expansion programs.
Karla is a Civil Engineering graduate from Ryerson University. Karla’s proven record of excellence garnered her a feature in the Women of Influence “Meet a Role Model” article and a spot amongst the 2020 Women in Infrastructure Network (WIN) Outstanding Leaders short list. She also served as the 2017 and 2018 President of the Women in Transportation Seminars (WTS) Toronto Area Chapter. She has been federally appointed by Infrastructure Canada to serve on the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) Board of Directors to oversee the construction of the Gordie Howe bridge.
As Chief Planning Officer, Karla will guide the planning and benefits of the regional transportation network and support practical advancement of the Regional Transportation Plan and evidence-based decision making in the delivery of transit projects. She is deeply passionate about forging end-to-end transit solutions from vision to reality, region-wide, tomorrow, and for decades to come.