Women Who Move Nations - The Public Transport Podcast

Our ninth and final episode for season 8 of the Women Who Move Nations podcast proudly sponsored by NEC Australia, features Heidi Lee, CEO at Beyond Zero Emissions. Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) is one of Australia’s most impactful climate think tanks. In conversation with host, Michelle Batsas, Heidi shares how BZE is unlocking large-scale decarbonisation through place-based strategies, clean industry innovation, and coordinated national planning.With two decades of experience in sustainable design, Heidi talks systems thinking, regional transformation, and what public transport must do to be part of Australia’s clean economy. “When women lead climate action, we don’t just change emissions, we change outcomes for communities.” She also reflects on her own leadership style, the importance of mentoring emerging voices, and why representation in infrastructure and energy matters more than ever. Listen to hear how storytelling, advocacy, and design come together in the race to decarbonise, and the role transport must play in getting us there.

What does it look like to lead with purpose, build a dream team, and reshape a city’s future—all before 40?In this episode of Women Who Move Nations, we meet Zoe Maher, Senior Principal and WA Strategic Rail Planning Lead at WSP. Proudly sponsored by NEC, in conversation with host Michelle Batsas, Zoe shares how two serendipitous career moments—one over office drinks—ignited her passion for public transport planning and ultimately led her to create and lead a powerhouse team focused on equitable, sustainable mobility.From managing a team of 100 on the Morley–Ellenbrook rail project to founding Empower Hour to uplift women in engineering, Zoe’s story is as practical as it is inspiring.“There will literally be thousands of people who’ll get an extra hour with their families every night—because of something we scribbled on a whiteboard.”Tune in for real talk on impact, equity, leadership, and why saying “yes” early in your career can change everything.

In this episode of Women Who Move Nations, host Michelle Batsas chats with Tithi Roy, Solutions Architect at NEC, about her unique career journey and the innovations she's leading in the smart transport space. Tithi shares how her background in GIS and technical roles transitioned into customer-facing positions, leading her to a pivotal role in transport technology. She discusses the growing impact of AI in public transport, particularly in enhancing safety, efficiency, and customer experience. Tithi also offers valuable insights into the power of mentorship, the importance of believing in your potential, and how women can thrive in male-dominated industries. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about overcoming challenges, driving change, and empowering women in transport.

Join us on the Women Who Move Nations podcast’s third episode as Sandra Witzel, Director and Chief Marketing Officer at SkedGo, shares her profound insights on creatingaccessible, inclusive, and sustainable transport solutions. In this episode, Sandra delves into her personal journey within the mobility sector, highlighting pivotal moments that reshaped her approach to leadership and advocacy. Discover how her lived experience as a disabled transport user fuelsher passion for mobility justice, ensuring transport systems cater to all, especially the most vulnerable. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation hosted by Michelle Batsas, and proudly sponsored by NEC.

Welcome back to the Women Who Move Nations podcast with your host Michelle Batsas. In the first episode of season 8, proudly sponsored by NEC, we welcome Catherine Rinaldi, President Metro-North Railroad in New York. The first MTA woman president, Catherine has been serving in this role since 2018 and ran the top two busiest commuter railroads in the US for over a year when the Long Island Railroad opened their new home at Grand Central Madison. PTAANZ is proud to launch the new season of the Women Who Move Nations podcast with Catherine Rinaldi. This episode is not just inspiring; it’s also an insightful look into a storied career, and how to move and grow with change. Tune in to hear from season eight’s first incredible woman moving nations.

Dr Dia Adhikari Smith is a leading research academic at the University of Queensland. In this episode of the Women Who Move Nations podcast, proudly sponsored by NEC, Dia talks to guest host and one of PTAANZ’s Emerging Mobility Leaders, Caitlin Mowatt, about her significant contributions to the decarbonisation of transport through her extensive work with electric, hydrogen, and advanced biofuel technologies. Dia discusses the integration of renewable energy sources and smart grid technologies into public transport, offering insights into the future of low and zero-emission vehicles. Dia also shares her journey from electrical engineering to pioneering decarbonisation research, emphasising the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in driving sustainable transport solutions globally. A not-to-be-missed episode highlighting the strides women are making across the public transport industry for a more sustainable future.

The Hon. Minister Williams MP is Victoria's Minister for Public Transport and Active Modes and shares her fascinating journey from practicing law to becoming a key political figure in Victoria, with host Michelle Batsas. With a remit that includes driving major public transport infrastructure initiatives, like the Metro Tunnel, she advocates daily for the needs of Victorians. This episode, proudly sponsored by NEC, delves into her decade in politics, the challenges of juggling leadership with her personal journey of starting a family, and her commitment to creating equitable and sustainable transport solutions. Minister Williams' personal stories and policy insights offer a rare glimpse into the complexities of governing and the dedication required to shape public policy.

Stacey van der Putten is the Director Public Transport and Active Modes at Auckland Transport and a PTAANZ Board Director. A trailblazer in the transportation industry, Stacey delves into her journey of integrating private sector expertise into public transport with host Michelle Batsas, emphasising the significance of inclusive leadership and effective communication. Discover how Stacey’s background has equipped her to tackle challenges and innovate within her field, particularly in creating safer and more inclusive environments for women in leadership roles. This episode is packed with actionable insights on fostering customer-centric solutions and supporting women’s career growth. Tune in to hear Stacey’s strategies for blending diverse experiences to lead change.

Kylie Gorham is a Senior Product Manager at NEC Australia. In her interview with host Michelle Batsas, Kylie talks about the innovative edge of public transport. Listen as they unpack the impact of technology on operational intelligence and passenger experience. Kylie shares her career journey and insights, including the importance of travelling to different cities and experiencing the local transport networks first-hand to gain perspective on potential improvements. They discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing public safety and the flexibility required to address evolving transport needs. Tune in to gain insights into Kylie’s leadership philosophy and her perspective on gender diversity in transport leadership roles.

In the third episode of Season 7 of the Women Who Move Nations podcast proudly sponsored by NEC, your host Michelle Batsas welcomes Dr Nicole Kalms, Associate Professor and Founding Director of the Monash University XYX Lab. Dr Kalms shares her ground-breaking work on gender-inclusive urban design, diving into the challenges girls, women and gender-diverse individuals face within city design. Dr Kalms also shares how her team's research is shaping safer, more navigable cities. From responsive lighting to digital safety tools, the discussion illuminates practical strategies for transforming public spaces. Discover how engaging communities and leveraging technology can create more equitable urban environments.

Welcome back to the Women Who Move Nations podcast with your host Michelle Batsas. In the first episode of season 7, proudly sponsored by NEC, we welcome Veronica O. Davis, a pioneering voice in public transport and author of "Inclusive Transportation – a Manifesto for repairing divided communities." Veronica discusses the essence of equitable transport systems and her mission to mend divided communities through better transport planning and community engagement. Her insights challenge us to rethink accessibility and advocate for change. Delve into a conversation that intersects innovation with action, uncovering how diverse leadership is vital in steering the future of public mobility. This episode is not just a dialogue; it's a call to all for creating an inclusive, connected society. Tune in for an empowering session that drives home the need for equality in every lane of our transport networks.

Natasha Zulkfili is a globally recognised change-maker in the public transport sector. Her inspiring career includes studying in Kuala Lumpur, New Zealand and London, extensive experience in Malaysian public transport, running the Malaysia-Europe Forum (MEF) and representing Malaysia on USAID and ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) initiatives. She is currently a Director at YTL Construction, part of the project team that is building the new 192km electrified double track rail link for the Malaysian Government in the state of Johor. In 2017 Natasha founded Women in Rail Malaysia, a not-for-profit entity that supports and promotes equality and diversity within the Malaysian rail industry, which will host their next conference in Kuala Lumpur on 3 August 2023.

Joanne (Jo) McDonald is the Chief Legal and Risk Officer at Kelsian Group, Australia’s largest integrated multi-modal transport provider and tourism operator, which also has bus operations in Singapore, London and the Channel Islands. Jo shares unmissable advice on developing strategic influencing and management skills, how she has built a sustainable career and key lessons she’s learnt along the way. Jo emphasises that for her, working in public transport is so satisfying because it’s connected with people’s everyday lives, it involves systems and is purpose driven. Tune in now to hear Jo’s interview with Jamie-Lee Owen, a PTAANZ Emerging Mobility Leader and Passenger Experience Lead for the Level Crossing Removal Project at Metro Trains Melbourne.