Latinos in Transit
About Latinos in Transit
Latinos in Transit helps professionals in public transportation move toward leadership through mentorship, workforce development, scholarships, and education. It is the kind of organization that stays close to the actual career path, with programs for members, students, and small businesses that need more than encouragement. If you care about who gets to lead in transit, this is a group worth knowing.
Latinos in Transit focuses squarely on the public transportation industry, which keeps its support practical and specific. Its programs reach across career stages, from students applying for scholarships to professionals looking for mentorship, leadership training, and small business support.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Ambassador Program
Ambassadors represent LIT in their regions, welcome new members, and help spread the mission nationwide.
Workforce Development Task Force
Supports members through mentorship, leadership training, scholarships, and small business support.
Leadership Academy
A hybrid program led by industry experts that blends virtual training with in-person milestones and monthly sessions on management, finance, and compliance.
Mentorship Program
The Navigate Program guides and supports members on their career journey, with applications opening every six months and free participation for LIT members.
Scholarship Program
Supports college students pursuing degrees in business, planning, engineering, marketing, finance, and other transit-related fields.
Small Business Program
Provides small businesses in transportation with connections, resources, collaboration opportunities, and a toolkit for DBE-related changes.
Job Board
Lets member organizations share employment opportunities for free.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
LIT is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering professionals in the transit industry to achieve leadership roles by advancing opportunities for workforce development, mentorship, networking and education.
Who they serve
Professionals, students, and small businesses in the public transportation industry.
Their impact
- Membership base increased by 300 percent.
- 30 transit industry professionals completed the 2023 Leadership Academy.
- 12 scholarship recipients were honored in 2023.
- More than 150 registrants attended the 2022 Leadership Summit in Dallas.
- 230 attendees took part in the 2025 Leadership Summit in Albuquerque.
How your donation helps
- Scholarships for students pursuing careers in transit and transportation.
- Support for the LIT Scholarship Program toward its $100,000 fundraising goal.
Our story
Founded in 2015, Latinos in Transit began as a national nonprofit focused on helping transit professionals access workforce development, mentorship, networking, and education. In 2023, Christina Villarreal became the organization’s first Executive Director after helping streamline membership, launch a new website, and oversee major activities and events.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Latinos in Transit’s services.
Transit professionals can join LIT as members to access mentorship, leadership development, scholarships, networking, and event discounts. The Navigate Mentorship Program opens applications every six months and is free to all LIT members, and students pursuing transit-related degrees or certifications can apply for scholarship opportunities when available.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
I am humbled to be given the opportunity to help push the mission of LIT forward. I am extremely grateful for the board of directors for having the confidence in me to implement the organization's strategic plan, and I look forward to working with our organizational members. I am most excited about expanding the programs and services of LIT.
Participating in the inaugural Navigate Mentorship cohort through LIT was exactly the mentorship support I had been seeking, providing a structured and inspiring space to grow with intention.
The LIT Navigate Mentorship Program was truly educational, productive, and career changing, as it was marked by meaningful mentorship, honest conversations, and shared knowledge.
I am deeply honored and thrilled to embark on this next chapter as a member of the Latinos In Transit Board. Workforce development has always been a cornerstone of my professional passion, and the opportunity to champion transit career journeys is both inspiring and rewarding. ¡Adelante!
Events
Leadership Summit
Annual, held in September or OctoberLIT’s premier annual event with workshops, keynote speakers, committee meetings, awards, networking, and a technical tour.
Café Con LIT
Monthly, every third FridayA monthly series where transit professionals connect, share insights, and explore leadership and career growth.
Conference Mixers
At major industry conferencesFree networking events at major industry conferences such as SWTA, APTA, TTA, and CTAA.
LIT 5K Run, Walk, or Roll
Inaugural event, March 2026An inclusive community event with 5K and 1-mile options focused on health, community connection, and career awareness.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Latinos in Transit has shared.
Current needs
- Donations toward the LIT Scholarship Program goal of $100,000.
- Host sponsor proposals and in-kind support for the 2027 Leadership Summit.
Volunteer opportunities
- Apply to serve on the board of directors, LIT is seeking six new board members who can commit 5 to 10 hours per month.
- Join member committees such as Marketing and Communications, Membership Development, Scholarship, Workforce Task Force Development, Small Business, or Leadership Academy.
- Serve as a regional LIT Ambassador to welcome new members and spread the mission.
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
Who can attend the Leadership Summit?
The Leadership Summit is open to anyone interested in professional growth, networking, and the future of transportation, including both members and non-members.
How often does the Navigate Mentorship Program accept applications?
Applications open every six months, and the program is free for LIT members.
What does the Leadership Academy include?
The Leadership Academy pairs virtual training with in-person milestones and monthly sessions on management, finance, and compliance.
What support does the Small Business Program provide?
It offers connections, resources, collaboration opportunities, and a toolkit to help small businesses navigate changes in transportation.
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