Grace Crunican

Grace Crunican, principal of Crunican, LLC, has held key leadership posts in the transportation industry for over 40 years. These include General Manager of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District for eight years, Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation for eight years, Director of the Oregon Department of Transportation for five years, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, Director of the Surface Transportation Policy Project, and Deputy Director of the City of Portland’s Department of Transportation. She also was a Presidential Intern and served as professional staff to the US Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee. She is the coauthor of the book, Boots on the Ground, Flats in the Boardroom.

As general manager of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, she oversaw a staff of 3,137 full-time employees and a $15 billion transportation infrastructure. She brought proven leadership abilities, a focus on providing safe and reliable transportation services for all Bay Area communities and a reputation for transparency and accountability.

As director of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Grace managed their transportation maintenance levy and Transit Master Plan to move more people and goods with fewer cars.

As director of the Oregon Department of Transportation, she implemented Community Solution Teams, integrated livability objectives into transportation planning and instilled a customer focus throughout the department.

Grace’s Washington, DC, experience includes being the deputy administrator for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) from 1993 to 1996. Before joining the FTA, Grace led the Surface Transportation Project, a nonprofit coalition dedicated to implementing the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, or ISTEA.

Her first transportation appointment was in 1979 to the Presidential Management Intern Program for the US Department of Transportation, which was followed by serving as professional staff for the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee. Grace has local-level experience working as the deputy director of Portland’s Department of Transportation.

She currently serves as an Emeritus Trustee on the Board of Directors of the Mineta Transportation Institute. She has been a member of WTS since 1979 and served as National President from 1988-1990.

Watch all of the interview videos.

Listen to Grace Crunican reflect on her background and the early experiences that led her into public service and transportation.		In this segment, Grace Crunican discusses building culture through connection. She emphasizes listening, collaboration, and networking as essential leadership practices.

Listen to Grace Crunican discuss her philosophy of leadership.		In this segment, Grace Crunican reflects on leadership during crises and major challenges.

Grace Crunican offers advice for aspiring leaders on resilience, values, and knowing when to adapt.		In this last segment, Grace Crunican shares her reading recommendation and leadership lessons drawn from it.