PO Box 2235

Gafney

29342-2235

Regions:

Kristen Joyner is the Founder and President of KJ Backpack, LLC, bringing over 17 years of expertise in transit workforce development, leadership, and communication. Kristen is a accomplished author, writing All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit with Ron Brooks, a practical guidebook available on Amazon and Kindle. She previously served as Executive Director of the South West Transit Association for 13 years and has hands-on administrative public transportation experience with Rock Region Metro in Little Rock, Arkansas. Kristen is known for her dynamic leadership, creativity, and subject-matter expertise in the transit industry.

Her curriculum development includes key transit industry topics such as:

• Hiring and Retaining Transit Employees
• Improving Communication for Great Results
• Silver Bullets for Transit Supervisor Success
• Powerful Public Speaking Tips for Transit Professionals
• Effective Goal Setting and Priority Management in a Transit World
• 10 Uncompromising Leadership Lessons for Transit
• Human Trafficking Awareness Train-the-Trainer Workshop
• Telling Your Transit Story
• Motivating Your Transit Board to Support the Mission of Your Agency (Also provides Transit Board Retreats)
• Driver and Dispatcher Communication Training
• Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit

A respected trainer and speaker, Kristen has developed and delivered workshops, training programs, and conferences that have impacted thousands of public transportation employees across the U.S. Her focus areas include leadership, management, customer service, safety, and human trafficking awareness. She has presented at the U.S. Department of Transportation, national trade associations, state associations, and state DOT meetings.

Kristen is actively involved in national transit leadership, serving as Past-President and National Representative on the CTAA Board of Directors, Chair of the Legislative Committee, and a member of the Professional Development Committee. She is also a former APTA Board member and has contributed to the State Affairs and Legislative Committees. Additionally, she is an alumnus of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation’s Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.

Kristen has spearheaded several impactful initiatives in the transit industry, including:

• Be the Solution Awards – the first transit industry leadership recognition program honoring human trafficking awareness efforts.
• Operation: Veterans in Public Transportation (OVIPT) – a program connecting veterans with transit career opportunities through education and awareness.
• SWTA Accessible Meetings Guide – a resource for making industry events more inclusive for people with disabilities.

Kristen’s passion for leadership, training, and advocacy continues to shape the future of the public transportation workforce.