Ceres: Thank you for welcoming me here, at the Metrolink Headquarters. Elissa, let's start with you. How long have you been an executive with Metrolink?
Elissa: I have been here for about two months, so I'm still learning my way around. Before that, I was the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) at the Federal Highway Administration in Washington, DC. My background is in Public Policy and Political Science. I started my postgraduate school career at the Office of Management and Budget in Washington, DC, and was assigned the responsibility of tracking the Transportation Appropriations Bill, and that was my entrée into transportation policy and budget. From there, I worked at FHWA for nine years. I recently relocated to Los Angeles and started here, at Metrolink, in September.
Ceres: What's your take on women working in public transportation?
Elissa: It's been an interesting experience because, on many occasions in different positions that I've worked, I have found myself to be the only woman in the room. But, I think it's changing now. I'm seeing more women directly involved in public transportation than 10 or 12 years ago.
Ceres: As an executive at Metrolink and a woman, where do you place yourself in this society still mainly ruled by men?
Elissa: I place myself at the table along with whomever else is there with me. Growing up, my family never treated me differently or said there were things that I could not do. Because I was raised that way and had those values, I have always considered myself an equal, and acted as such.
Ceres: Have you ever encountered difficulties with male employees, coworkers or executives?
Elissa: No, I have to say that I've been very fortunate, though I believe that micro-inequities still exist, whenever certain remarks are made as in an overt kind of statement that maybe you would have found 50 years ago in the workplace. But, there might be a different approach on that, someone may just make an offhand, passing remark, though I think it's definitely decreasing. I've never experienced anything that I felt was problematic with employees or supervisors or peers, maybe because I don't really tolerate it, and I just move on to the business. That's the kind of approach that I've taken.
Ceres: What about you, Patricia? Any difficulties encountered with male coworkers, employees, or executives?
Patricia: I'll share an experience that I had when I was working in the Mayor's Office. I don't know if it was because I look a lot younger than people think I am--and I was very young, then. There was a vendor who was supposed to meet with the Deputy Mayor and myself, but the Deputy Mayor asked me to start without him because he was tied up.
I went to start the meeting, and the vendor just wanted to talk about the weather. I could tell they didn't want to meet with me. They kept delaying the discussion. So, I told them: "Please don't waste my time. I don't want to waste your time. If you don't want to meet with me, that's fine, but I'm just telling you that the Deputy Mayor is not available," and I left. Later on, they called to find out exactly who I was, and what my title was, making sure they didn't offend anyone. I don't know, but I think it was combination of looking young and being a woman. I think for the most part, I have been given great opportunities to elevate into and broaden my experience, and to grow as a professional.
Ceres: Patricia, what's your background and how long have you been with Metrolink?
Patricia: This is my second time, here at Metrolink. I've been here since June. Originally, I got into politics policy working as a Policy Analyst for the City of LA, and for Mayor Hahn, in 2001. My areas of responsibility were the airport and the Department of Water and Power. My first day was three weeks after 9/11, so there were a lot of things going on, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) was created, new federal agencies being created, new regulations, it was a great experience to be exposed to.
Then, after the mayor was unelected, I moved on, and started with LA Metro. I had the opportunity to work on the legislation Measure R (*), to put that measure on the ballot, and on the legislation to introduce tolling in LA county. Then, I went to work for Art Leahy, who is now our CEO, here, at Metrolink, as his Chief Policy Officer at the time when he was the CEO at LA Metro. I was responsible for all the board related issues, getting all the items through, and all the communications to the agency. And, when Art Leahy came to Metrolink, I came to Metrolink, too.
Ceres: What's your thought on women working in
public transportation?
Patricia: I think it's important for women to have a place at the table when discussing transportation.
84 - Ceres Magazine - Winter 2016