COMTO Headquarters
Meet the COMTO Staff
COMTO Headquarters is led by a team of professionals who are committed to the mission and vision of the organization. The national office is supported by a distinguished Board of Directors who are well-respected and experienced leaders in the transportation industry.
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April Rai
President & CEO
As President & CEO, April works to build upon COMTO’s 50-year history of ensuring equitable opportunities and maximum participation for minority individuals, veterans, people with disabilities and minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBEs). With over 15 years of experience managing private, public sector and non-profit organizations, April’s career focus has centered on strategic partnership development, coalition building, people and project management. Under the direction of the COMTO Board of Directors Chair, Tanya Adams, April provides strategic leadership, guidance and ensures COMTO operates effectively to further the mission.
Previously, April served as Deputy Executive Director for the Women’s Transportation Seminar International (WTS), partnering with the Executive Director to achieve the WTS mission and vision. In that role, April focused on the management of operations including serving as Chief of Staff, lead on project planning and execution ensuring deliverability on time and within budget. April managed several board-level committees, strategic initiatives and worked to implement growth and retention strategies for membership, chapters, public and private partners as well as build relationships with advocacy organizations, local, state and federal stakeholders.
Prior to joining WTS, April served as the CEO for the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS), a coalition of over 100 organizations and agencies dedicated to youth health and safety education. In this role, April engaged with transportation stakeholders on road safety programs, injury prevention education and workforce development initiatives.
April previously served as Manager & Affairs Analyst in the Office of the Dean at the University of Maryland, School of Nursing, directing government affairs and communications. In this role, April was responsible for managing the State of Maryland, Action Coalition, an initiative of AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
April resides in the Washington, DC metro area with her husband, and is based out of COMTO headquarters in Alexandria, VA.
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Nadji Kirby
Chief of Staff
Nadji Kirby serves as Chief of Staff for COMTO. In this role, Nadji uses her strategic understanding of the President & CEO’s priorities, COMTO organizational capabilities and network to move the mission forward. With oversight and direction of headquarters staff, Nadji ensures the growth and development of programs, communications and stakeholder engagement ensuring efficient operations. As a key member of the leadership team, Nadji represents COMTO at various industry events, and strategically engages partners to advance opportunities for collaboration.
Nadji has more than 10 years’ experience in the transportation field working on local and national initiatives focused on the safety of children and vulnerable roadway users. Her passion to serve others, as well as her mission to create and foster positive change, has always been at the foundation of her work and one of her core principles.
Prior to coming to COMTO, Nadji served as Senior Program Manager - Domestic Road Safety at Safe Kids Worldwide. At Safe Kids she collaborated with cross-functional teams, sponsors, partners and coalitions throughout the United States to develop and implement bicycle, pedestrian, and rail injury prevention programs.
Previously, Nadji managed the Safe Routes to School program for the Montgomery County (MD) Department of Transportation. In that role she managed a network of community-based traffic safety programs building multigenerational pedestrian and cyclists awareness for school administrators, parents and students. Nadji led the development of a multi-award winning County-wide High School Pedestrian Safety Program and also created the County’s Vision Zero Youth Ambassador program to encourage youth to have an active role in road safety efforts and improvements.
Nadji enjoys traveling, fishing, hiking, and spending time with her fiancee Charles and their black labrador Millie. Nadji graduated from Morgan State University with a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Eckerd College.
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Melissa Dent
Chief Financial Officer
Melissa Dent has over 35 years of experience in Accounting and Finance. Her vast experience includes executive positions as Senior Internal/External Auditor, CFO, V.P. of Finance and Senior Business Consultant in the public accounting, federal and state governments, corporate, banking and non-profit sectors. Melissa is a Certified Public Accountant and received her B.S. degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.
She leads the processes for financial forecasting and budgets, and oversees the preparation of all financial reporting, provides strategic recommendations to the President & CEO and members of the executive management team, and establishes and develops relationships with senior management and external partners and stakeholders.
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Terri Wallace
Controller
Terri S. Wallace, MBA, serves as Controller for COMTO. In this role, Terri maintains the procedures, coordination, and control of all financial accounts at COMTO. Working with the Chief Financial Officer, Terri manages accounts receivable, accounts payable and compliance. Using a data-driven approach, Terri supports the creation of financial comparative and analysis statements for membership, programs, and grant initiatives.
With over 20 years of nonprofit accounting experience, Terri brings a wealth of knowledge around budgeting, grant compliance, forecasting and financial diversification to COMTO. Previous roles include VP of Finance and Administration and Director of Finance for nonprofit associations. Terri holds a B.B.A. from Howard University’s School of Business, and also a M.B.A. from Southeastern University. As a true Rhode Islander, Terri enjoys traveling, dance classes, reading and word search puzzles.
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Aasiyah Blow
Senior Manager, External Affairs
Aasiyah Blow serves as Sr. Manager, External Affairs for COMTO. In this role, Aasiyah ensures COMTO’s public facing communications, marketing and events are executed effectively and supports the growth of meaningful relationships with allied partners. As COMTO’s brand champion, Aasiyah works to implement engaging campaigns in line with COMTO’s marketing & communications plan while utilizing data to increase support across key stakeholder audiences. With an astute sense of engagement opportunities, Aasiyah proactively connects with key stakeholders to pursue opportunities for collaboration in line with the goals of COMTO’s strategic plan.
Previously, Aasiyah served in a communications and marketing role for a top A&E firm overseeing internal communications, supporting employee engagement strategies & campaigns and managing marketing prequalification packages for some of their major clients. As a highly motivated, energetic young leader, Aasiyah has demonstrated a unique skill set that includes problem-solving, technical excellence, innovation, and decision-making.
Aasiyah graduated Cum Laude with her MBA in Management with a concentration in Marketing & Communications from the University of Maryland Global Campus and her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with a concentration in Telecommunications from the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. As an avid supporter of women’s empowerment and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Aasiyah represents COMTO’s equity, respect and integrity values.
Outside of work, Aasiyah loves exercising, reading, trying new vegan restaurants and spending time with her friends, family and sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (Ooo-Oop!).
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Julia Bankerd
Senior Manager, Membership and Chapter Engagement
Julia Bankerd serves as Sr. Manager, Membership & Chapter Engagement for COMTO. In this role, Julia manages the full lifecycle of membership at COMTO and serves as the lead for 37 chapters across North America. As a COMTO membership ambassador, Julia works to develop and execute recruiting and retention initiatives to showcase membership benefits at all levels. As the lead for chapters, Julia provides high-level support to COMTO chapters with outreach, tools, and best practices in operations.
Previously, Julia served in operations and membership experience roles for non-profit associations in the DC Metro area overseeing IT and data systems, customer service and business continuity. Julia studied Business at George Mason University and enjoys cooking, football and spending time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
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Tiara Fisher
Senior Manager, NextGen Programs
Tiara Fisher serves as Senior Manager, NextGen Programs for COMTO. In this role, Tiara manages the entire lifecycle of programs at COMTO and manages strategic engagement with key partners while ensuring the quality and efficiency of COMTO programs. Using a data-driven approach, Tiara contains reporting, compliance, and data analysis on program outcomes and works to develop strategic outreach and marketing campaigns to engage students, transportation professionals, DBE/MBE/WBE/SBE organizations, transportation agencies, DOTs and private firms to participate in COMTO programs.
Tiara’s experience in the private sector includes leading teams, managing project timelines, cross-departmental collaboration, data analysis and stakeholder engagement. Beyond her professional commitments, Tiara enjoys live music, shopping, and quality time with loved ones.
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Tiffany Fisher
Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
Tiffany Fisher serves as Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, Coordinator, Operations for COMTO. In this role, Tiffany supports the executive team in scheduling, research, meeting logistics, executive communications and outreach. In the role of Coordinator, Operations, Tiffany supports office administration and account maintenance.
Tiffany’s background in the association and private sector includes executive support, meeting planning, and logistics with a customer service focus. Working to support the greater good is not only Tiffany’s professional, but personal goal as volunteering is a passion of Tiffany’s. Tiffany enjoys being creative and trying new things, like cooking exciting new recipes and experiencing different cultures.
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Erin Thompson
Administrative Assistant
Erin Thompson serves as Administrative Assistant for COMTO. In this role, Erin supports the Chief of Staff & leadership team in scheduling, research, meeting logistics, and outreach coordination. In support of programs, Erin assists with correspondence for scholarship, internship and research programs, and works to maintain digital files, including program applications, tracking and related follow-up.
Erin participated as a software & system development intern for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. In this role, she stored, retrieved, and manipulated data to analyze system capabilities and consulted with engineering staff to develop systems specifications and resolve customer problems. Erin is pursuing a Computer Science/Cyber Security degree from Prince George’s Community College.
Erin enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling. She loves to be surrounded by friends and family. In most of her free time, she volunteers in her community.
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Justin Shewchuk
Digital Design Specialist
Justin Shewchuk serves as Digital Design Specialist for COMTO. In this role, Justin supports External Affairs in executing COMTO’s marketing strategy. As a brand champion, Justin designs engaging content for dissemination across COMTO’s digital platforms, on social media and in print. Previously, Justin served as a graphic artist for a software development company supporting content creation and data visualization.
Justin studied graphic and interactive design at Howard Community College.
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Rowland Oloye
Transportation Research Intern
Rowland Oloye (MNIA; AAIA; ENV-SP) is a highly experienced and qualified architect, researcher, academic, project manager, affordable housing consultant, and transportation and infrastructure expert in Nigeria and the United States. With more than 14 years of experience and a strong focus on sustainability, equity, and effective collaboration, his mission is to create exceptional ideas and solutions for the built environment that blend clients' needs, environmental stewardship, value creation, science, and art. In addition to possessing a bachelor's and master's degree in architecture, Rowland Oloye is pursuing a Ph.D. program in the United States from Morgan State University and a Ph.D. in Project Management from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria.
Aside from Rowland's academic achievements, he has extensive experience working in the field of architecture, including working as a lecturer in the Department of Architectural Technology at Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria, and as an architect in the Directorate of Physical Planning at the same institution. He has also worked as a senior architect at Design Union Consulting, Victoria Island, Lagos, and as the head of the Project Department at Greenland Concepts Nigeria Ltd, Gwarinpa, Abuja, Nigeria.
Rowland is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Institute of Architects (International Associate), Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure, Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria, Nigeria Institute of Management and Institute of Transportation Engineers (student member). He has received numerous awards and commendations, including an Award of Excellence from the Directorate of Physical Planning, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Nigeria, and a commendation letter from the Registrar's Office.
Rowland is an accomplished author and has published several research papers on a variety of topics, including the level of acceptance of the Federal Roads and Bridges Tolling [FRBT] Policy of Nigeria, the impact of housing type on residential overcrowding in public housing estates in Minna, Nigeria, and the effect of practical mentoring on students' academic development among others.