Speakers

Liz Smith is the Chief of Staff at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).  In that role she works alongside the Executive Team to ensure strategic goals are advancing, serves as a key strategic advisor to the General Manager, and takes responsibility for leading special projects and key initiatives.

Liz has been with SEPTA in various roles such as Assistant Treasurer of Strategic Initiatives, Director of Strategic Planning and Analysis as well as Manager of Long Range Planning.  In addition to leading SEPTA’s Planning efforts, one of her key activities in those roles was oversight of the King of Prussia Rail Project, a planned extension of rail service.  This project is the first SEPTA project to enter the pipeline for FTA’s Capital Investment Grant Program.  She served as Project Manager for the Planning Phase of the project, comprised of a complex set of $7 million in consultant contracts. 

Liz holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, and a M.S. in Civil Engineering from Villanova University.   She is a registered Professional Engineer. 

Liz has been recognized by several organizations for her contributions including as a 2022 Woman in Rail by Railway Age, a 2018 Woman of Distinction by the Philadelphia Business Journal, as well as Member of the Year by WTS Philadelphia.