Who or what inspired you to enter into public service?

I come from a family of public servants. My father was a career Foreign Service Officer and my grandfather served in the NY state government and as NY Assemblyman, so public service was a logical career path. I graduated from college in 1969, when our mission as newly minted graduates was to save the world. I began in the field of low-income housing development and moved into 50 years of freight transportation and management of transportation technology research, first as Director of the Port of Boston and then as Director of USDOT’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. I’m proud to report that both of my children have continued this family tradition of public service.

What is your favorite class you have ever taught or taken and why?

An informal undertaking that I called Freight Transportation 101, which was my effort to educate public sector transportation experts (who were largely focused on moving people) about the importance of moving freight in the United States and internationally. One of the positive lessons of Covid is the increased public understanding of the importance of the freight distribution system.

What advice would you give to those interested in pursuing public policy or public administration as a career?

Follow your passion – right now that might be at the state and local level. In the field of transportation that is where most important decisions are currently being made. Always accept opportunities to work outside your own job responsibilities – serve on committees, build professional networks, participate in professional organizations, gain visibility as an emerging leader in your chosen field, and make the time to mentor the next generation.

What area of public policy interests you the most and why?

I would name two: I have spent 50 years in the transportation field and witnessed phenomenal change in the impact of technology on transportation. I am also fascinated by how to effectively address the complexity that the U.S. local/state/federal levels of government create for decision making and the development of national systems.

What is your favorite cuisine?

Well, I’m from New England, so seafood, particularly lobster and clam chowder. Having grown up in Hong Kong and Taiwan, Chinese cuisine is also high on the list.

What is your favorite hobby or activity that you enjoy doing in your free time?

Reading, swimming, traveling, and enjoying my grandchildren.

Who in your life has been an influential mentor or inspiration for you?

My first boss, Langley Keyes, an MIT professor of city planning, set my feet on the path that ended up being my life’s work. He was passionate about bringing the work of academia into the real world to make a difference and encouraged me to acquire a degree in planning at MIT. At the opposite end of my career, it was my great privilege to work for Secretary Pete Buttigieg for the last four years. I can easily say that he is the smartest person I have ever worked with and a terrific communicator.

What was your dream job as a child?

We moved every two years when I was a child, so my focus was on surviving in the next new place and making a whole new set of friends. I was not one of those people who knew at the age of 5 that I wanted to be a doctor. Growing up in the 50s and 60s, there were few professional role models for women – secretary, teacher, nurse, librarian? None of those seemed exciting. It wasn’t until I got to college that the possibilities began to open up. Harvard in the late 1960s was a hotbed of exciting career opportunities. My career path has been a series of fortunate opportunities to make a difference.