MBTA Deputy Director of Administration Katie Kalugin Receives WTS International and Local Boston Chapter 2024 Claire Barrett Member of the Year Award

The MBTA is pleased to congratulate MBTA Operations Planning, Scheduling, & Strategy (OPSS) Deputy Director of Administration Katie Kalugin (she/they) in receiving the 2024 Claire Barrett Member of the Year Award from the Women in Transportation Seminar (WTS), an association for the professional advancement of women in transportation. Deputy Director Kalugin is the winner of both the international and Boston chapter versions of this prestigious award and was honored yesterday evening during the WTS-Boston Annual Awards and Scholarship Banquet at The Royal Sonesta Boston.

“WTS has been key to my professional development – through events, networking opportunities, and conferences, I’ve learned more about the transportation industry, formed connections, and gained leadership skills along the way,” said Deputy Director Kalugin. “I am grateful for the support of my chapter and humbled by the awards.”  

“The Women in Transportation Seminar has been an incredible resource for women to network, learn from, and support one another in the transportation industry for decades,” said Transportation Secretary CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We are grateful to WTS for showcasing the contributions of Katie Kalugin by honoring her with the 2024 Claire Barrett Member of the Year. Katie has served the MBTA diligently since 2019, and continues to take on new challenges in the MBTA’s Operations Planning, Scheduling, and Strategy Department, while still finding the time to enthusiastically support the women of the WTS Boston chapter, including serving on the chapter’s DEI council.”

“I am proud to celebrate Katie’s achievement and sincerely congratulate them on receiving the WTS Claire Barrett Member of the Year Award – to win both the international and local chapter versions of this award demonstrate Katie’s remarkable contributions to the success of both WTS and the MBTA and making both organizations better through their work,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “Katie’s career has been dedicated to improving many aspects at the T for both riders and their peers, from working on affordable fares for all riders and rider-focused policies to co-chairing our DEI Employee Advisory Council and serving on the Steering Committee for the MBTA/MassDOT LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group. Thank you, Katie, for the positive impact you’ve brought to the T throughout your career and to WTS.”

 “WTS-Boston is proud to honor Katie for their impact on our organization and their commitment to enhance equity and inclusion in the transportation industry,” said WTS-Boston President Gina Solman. “Katie’s authentic leadership approach helps individuals recognize and achieve their full potential, as demonstrated by their work guiding committees as a board liaison and for their ongoing role in the WTS-Boston DEI committee. Katie's involvement underscores how an individual can be a key driver of positive change.”

The Claire Barrett Member of the Year Award acknowledges a WTS member who has made extraordinary contributions to the success of the organization. Selection is based on a commitment to the goals and growth of WTS, promoting the reputation of WTS within the transportation industry, and efforts by the award’s nominee to revitalize or expand the Chapter or any of its functions.

Kalugin was recently named OPSS Deputy Director of Administration and plans to focus on improving and streamlining departmental operations. Prior to this role, Kalugin was MBTA Deputy Director of Policy Development, responsible for the creation and coordination of rider-focused policies and initiatives, as well as the MBTA’s Transit Equity Programs Specialist, focused on increasing access to the Authority’s free/reduced fare programs for those with disabilities, seniors, students, and young people with low-income. Kalugin is a co-chair for the MBTA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Employee Advisory Council and on the Steering Committee for the MBTA/MassDOT LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG).

Kalugin has been an active WTS member since being selected as one of the Emerging Professionals in 2020 and again in 2021 and helped shape the DEI Committee’s goals toward inclusion during this time. Kalugin joined the WTS-Boston Board as a Director-at-Large in 2022 and was the Board Liaison for the Transportation YOU and Professional Development Committees in their first year and the Board Liaison for the Professional Development and DEI Committees in their second year. Kalugin continues to be an active member of the DEI Committee.

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