From Invitation to Innovation: Jorel Joseph's Transformative Journey with Leadership APTA

When Keolis North America Commercial Director Jorel Joseph was selected for the 2025 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Leadership APTA cohort, he knew he was stepping into one of the industry’s most respected leadership development experiences. Jorel, a 2022 Mass Transit Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, was already on the path of becoming a leader in transit. Leadership APTA is among the transit industry's most prestigious programs for senior leaders and executives from public and private agencies committed to public transit, accepting only 35 participants annually.

What he didn’t realize was how profoundly the program would shape his perspective on transit innovation—and position him as an emerging voice in the future of AI across the industry.

A Capstone with Real-World Impact: AI and Transit’s Next Frontier

A defining component of Leadership APTA is its capstone project—a team-driven initiative addressing a real challenge in the industry. For Jorel and his teammates, the choice was immediate: artificial intelligence.

“AI is everywhere—industry newsletters, national publications, boardroom conversations,” he said. “But when you look across transit, agencies are in wildly different places. Some are experimenting with AI, others are banned from using it, and many don’t know where to begin.”

The turning point came when one of Jorel’s teammates Jacki Lenners— then Deputy General Manager of Mountain Line Transit Authority in Flagstaff, Arizona — attended an APTA marketing conference where a keynote speaker asked for a show of hands from agencies actively using AI, and then again from agencies prohibited from using AI due to internal policy. “We realized the industry needed clarity—and we felt we could help surface it,” Jorel said.

For his capstone project, Jorel and his team explored AI, one of the most urgent and misunderstood forces shaping transit (and many other industries). Their project, Ready, Set, AI: Risk, Readiness, and Real-World Use of AI in Transit, was presented in September, offering agencies a grounded view of how AI is influencing operations, planning, workforce management, and customer experience.

Drawing from interviews with more than 30 executives, the team examined:

• How agencies assessed AI readiness;
• Early operational and customer-facing applications;
• Governance, risk, and ethical considerations;
• What successful agencies were doing well; and
• Misconceptions slow industry adoption.

“These interviews alone changed how I think about AI and what it means for the future of our industry,” he said.

This project aligns Keolis’ broader focus on innovation and how technologies like AI can enhance safety, efficiency, and rider experience. For a deeper dive into AI across transit systems, check out our recent white paper.

Rising Subject Matter Expert in AI Transit Innovation

As the capstone presentation gained momentum, so did interest in AI and transit across the industry. Jorel began receiving invitations to share his team’s findings even before the final presentation.

“People wanted to understand what we were hearing, what themes were emerging, and how agencies could start thinking about AI responsibly,” said Jorel. The team received invitations to present insights from their capstone project to APTA’s Small Operations Committee, COMTO Michigan Chapter’s Braintrust Breakfast, and Jorel was invited to serve on Detroit Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield’s transition team. In January 2026, Jorel and his capstone team will present continued learnings to the APTA Business Members Board of Governors.

Jorel has deepened his and Keolis’ engagement in the industry by joining APTA’s Research & Technology Committee, collaborating with like-minded industry leaders. This expanded network has transformed his conference experiences and enhanced his ability to bring cutting-edge insights back to Keolis.

At the end of the cohort, Jorel was also selected to serve on the Leadership APTA Trio, where he helped review applications, select the 2026 class, facilitate sessions, and mentor new program participants. “It’s a significant time commitment,” he said. “We encourage participants to be fully present because we have industry executives giving their time to invest in us. That’s not something to take lightly

Supported Every Step of the Way: The Keolis Team Behind His Success

While Jorel’s accomplishments are significant, he is quick to emphasize that they were made possible by the support of colleagues across Keolis. He credits Keolis’ Leadership APTA alumni—Ryan Adams, Sandi Hill, and Frances Julien—for recognizing his potential early and championing his nomination from the start.

“I used to work for Ryan and currently work for Sandi. They spoke so well about Leadership APTA that I always assumed it was something I’d eventually pursue later in my career. “But they’re the ones who believed I was ready now — I owe them a ton.”

Their support continued throughout the year as Jorel balanced the demands of the program, the capstone project, and his transition into an expanded role at Keolis. “I can’t say enough about how much people at Keolis supported me,” he says. “It meant a lot to have that level of encouragement from people I respect.” He shared that many people across the organization made his Leadership APTA experience possible. “I honestly don’t know how I’m going to repay them.”

Expanding Networks, Reframing Leadership

Beyond the capstone, Leadership APTA reshaped Jorel’s understanding of leadership and authenticity. The program’s executive sessions and candid conversations revealed the realities—not just the accomplishments—of leadership in transit.

They don’t just talk about best practices,” he said. “They talk about what worked, what didn’t work, the challenges they faced, and how they grew from it. That level of honesty is rare. And it’s essential for where our industry is heading,” said Jorel. One conversation from a transit CEO left a lasting impression; “If you’re compromising who you are just to keep a job; you’ve already lost it.”

“That stayed with me,” Jorel shared. “You can’t show up as the leader you want to be if you’re only bringing parts of yourself to work. Leadership APTA helped me find the confidence to bring my full, authentic self forward.”

This mindset shift, built on vulnerability, trust, and curiosity, has enhanced how Jorel leads teams, builds client relationships, and tackles everyday challenges. For Keolis, such personal and professional growth translates into stronger relationships across the board.

About a month before the first Leadership APTA session, the Class of 2025 received a lookbook which included profiles of every person in the class. Between these profiles, and the first session in Anaheim, CA, Jorel began to have a bit of imposter syndrome. There were several transit agency C-Suite executives and private company vice presidents among the 35 selected candidates. Jorel thought to himself, “Am I in the right place? Am I qualified to be here?”

For him, the program was more than a career milestone. “I found my people in this industry,” Jorel says. “It felt like transit grad school, only more real, more personal.”

In an industry where the average transit operator age is 53, programs like APTA Leadership are crucial for cultivating the next generation of industry leaders. Jorel’s experience connecting with passionate peers has created what he describes as “a team that doesn’t have impartial parties,” a support network that extends from professional challenges to personal celebrations.

“I was designated as the social chair for our first session, as our first session was in my hometown of Washington, D.C.,” Jorel said. “We learned that we have more in common than we thought. We did escape rooms and museum tours. I had struggled to find my people in the industry, and for someone in their mid to late 30s like myself, I didn’t realize how much I needed this program to meet others on a similar career trajectory — and at a similar stage in life.”

Some of the most meaningful takeaways don’t come during lecture hours, but after-hours. What began as a casual karaoke night in Washington, D.C. quickly became a spontaneous tradition, symbolizing trust and team chemistry.

“We did karaoke every weekend since the program began,” Jorel said. “It sounds light but letting your guard down by showcasing your knowledge of 1980’s hits, it brings people closer faster. Surprisingly, no one has done ‘The Loco-Motion’ yet.”

Jorel now brings that same dynamic to his work at Keolis, creating safe and supportive spaces and understanding that personally knowing and making clients, customers, and coworkers feel comfortable and supported is the key to our industry.

Leadership APTA helped Jorel evolve into a more grounded, curious, and confident leader. “It’s about transforming into a better listener, better leader, a better collaborator, and a better contributor to the industry,” he said. His growing visibility as an AI strategist, committee roles, and industry speaking engagements demonstrate Keolis’ commitment to developing leaders who innovate responsibly and strengthen partnerships across the mobility sector.