35487 South Highway 82

Vinita

74301

Regions:

Training Topics and Areas of Expertise

• Rural and Tribal Transit Marketing and Communications

• Transit Branding and Strategic Marketing

• Ridership Development and Public Awareness Campaigns

• Community Outreach, Public Involvement, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Strategic Storytelling and Transit Advocacy

• Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Website Communications

• Public Relations, Media Relations, and Communications Planning

• Culturally Responsive Tribal Transit Outreach

• Marketing Campaign Development and Implementation

• Transit Agency Partnerships and Community Engagement

Professional Biography

Michelle Robertson is a citizen of the Wyandotte Nation, an award-winning entrepreneur, and a transportation marketing and communications strategist with more than 15 years of experience in strategic marketing, public engagement, transit advocacy, and community outreach.

She is a Founding Partner of The Navigation Firm, LLC, and Founder and CEO of Grand Splash Marketing, established in 2009. Her work focuses on helping rural and Tribal transit agencies strengthen their public presence, connect with the communities they serve, and develop strategic communications and marketing initiatives that demonstrate the value and impact of public transportation.

Michelle is actively involved with the Southwest Transit Association (SWTA), contributing her marketing, communications, and industry engagement experience to initiatives supporting transit professionals and agencies across the region. Her involvement provides opportunities to collaborate with transportation leaders, share effective outreach strategies, and advocate for the importance of rural and Tribal mobility.

Her transportation experience includes projects supporting PICK Transportation, Pelivan Transit, SCORTPRO, NORTPRO, and initiatives involving the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Her work encompasses strategic marketing, branding, public information, digital communications, rider education, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness campaigns.

Michelle developed and led Faces of Transit, a statewide public transportation storytelling and advocacy initiative that captured more than 187 videos featuring transit riders, employees, and transportation professionals. Through this initiative, she brought the voices and experiences of those who rely on public transportation to the forefront, demonstrating how transit connects communities to employment, healthcare, education, independence, and opportunity.

Faces of Transit evolved into Oklahomans for Mobility, an advocacy initiative that contributed to broader efforts resulting in a $5 million increase in recurring state funding for public transportation in Oklahoma. This work demonstrates Michelle's ability to transform authentic community stories into compelling communications that influence public understanding, engage decision-makers, and strengthen support for transportation investment.

Michelle's contributions have earned recognition within the public transportation industry and Indian Country, including the Outstanding Entrepreneurial Business Woman award from the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and an Oklahoma Magazine Entrepreneurial Award.

As a trainer, presenter, and transportation marketing strategist, Michelle brings a dynamic, real-world approach to helping rural and Tribal transit agencies strengthen their communications and community engagement efforts. She specializes in transforming authentic stories into powerful marketing and advocacy tools that demonstrate the value of public transportation, elevate the voices of riders and communities, and inspire meaningful action.

Through practical, results-driven strategies, creative storytelling, and effective public engagement, Michelle equips transit professionals with the knowledge and tools to strengthen their agency's visibility, build lasting community connections, and communicate the essential role public transportation plays in the communities they serve.