Professional and Career Development

Leadership ITE

2025 Class       Application       Schedule       Scholarships       FAQ       Member Program Committee

Technical Skills Alone Aren’t Enough

In today’s complex environment, technical skills may get you in the door but they aren’t enough to build a successful career. You need to be a high-functioning communicator who can read the room, and spin on a dime to adeptly communicate with others. That’s one of the core skills you get in today’s LeadershipITE program.

LeadershipITE has always been built on the uniqueness of our profession, with our team looking to build classes each year that highlight this.  We are excited to be able to provide a program that enables participants to kick-off the program with in-person workshops and networking. The momentum continues with virtual workshops and events throughout the year thereby minimizing time and cost constraints associated with traveling. The program culminates in an end-of-the-year, in-person graduation and attendance at the ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibition

This hybrid approach combines the best attributes of years past into a comprehensive inclusive program that will enable you to evolve your leadership skills for the future. The virtual workshops will not be your average webinars.  The curriculum is built around engagement and each of the nine, four-hour virtual workshops beginning in January will include interactive and experiential elements. These workshops are led by Shelley Row, P.E., CSP, a professional leadership consultant who is also a registered professional engineer with a strong background in transportation. You are in great hands and will undoubtedly benefit from her expertise.

Additionally, small team projects will be conducted addressing real-world issues facing the transportation profession and/or ITE and its members. (Note: To access previous group projects, scroll down to Alumni and the group projects are listed under each class link.) Throughout the year, you will have many opportunities to meet new people and grow your networks, with intimate social events, sessions and assignments with various LeadershipITE alumni and ITE leadership.   

If you’ve been interested in LeadershipITE, now is your opportunity to experience this hybrid interactive and engaging program while minimizing time away from your family and work responsibilities.

Sample letter to employer to explain value of LeadershipITE Program and request support 

 

 

LeadershipITE 2025 PromoLearn more about LeadershipITE

 

The Future of Transportation

The world of transportation has been transforming at a rapid pace.  The challenges and opportunities created by these changes impact society and people’s quality of life in ways hardly predictable. Now, more than ever, we need Transportation Leaders that can effectively communicate, collaborate and advocate to help our communities navigate this evolution.  Our community must have the skills to not only engage but to lead. Developing the next generation of leaders is one of our key objectives.

Are you ready to take on that challenge?  Are you the future of transportation?

To this end, ITE has established LeadershipITE. It is a program to grow and empower leaders within the transportation industry so that they are well prepared for greater roles within their professional capacity as well as within ITE and other associations.  Since 2014, LeadershipITE has been identifying, developing, and engaging leaders to ensure that ITE and its members are positioned to participate and shape the future of transportation.

LeadershipITE is the only leadership program built specifically for Transportation Professionals by Transportation Professionals.  Led by Shelley Row, PE, CSP a professional engineer and former USDOT executive, the program has been developed from the ground up to give transportation leaders the tools and leadership knowledge that is tailored to the transportation world.

Value of LeadershipITE with Employee Retention

 

Program Goals

Individuals will engage in an intensive program that addresses the challenges and opportunities facing the transportation profession and ITE. Through this program, participants will explore current issues in transportation; develop and hone leadership competencies; and build the professional network required to excel as leaders in ITE, in their places of employment and communities.

Specifically, the LeadershipITE program is built to ensure that participants will:

  • Be self-aware so they are confident and comfortable with themselves and their skills
  • Understand, accept, empower and adapt for others
  • Be a high-functioning communicator
  • Be an effective networker in and advocate for the transportation industry
  • Be more confident in their role within ITE and as LITE alumni

 

PDH Credits

LeadershipITE is not traffic operations engineering, planning or road-safety related.  But the Transportation Professional Certification Board (TPCB) does allow non-engineering related topics. For the PTOE, PTP and RSP2, 10-12 PDHs are allowed; For RSP1, 5 PDHs are allowed.

 

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in LeadershipITE the applicant must:

  • Be an active Member or Fellow in good standing with ITE.
  • Be able to demonstrate contributions to ITE through volunteer activities.
  • Be willing to work with their employer, District and Section for financial support of the registration fee.

 

Application Process

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The application process for the 2026 LeadershipITE Class is due September 15, 2025 with funding due by November 14, 2025.

A completed application packet includes:

  • Completed application form submitted by the due date;
  • Responses to short essay questions;
  • Support letter from a non-employer;
  • Support letter from a current employer;
  • Additional support letter from ITE members or industry professionals are encouraged but not required.

 

Tuition

Tuition for the program is $3,500. This includes all virtual workshops, course materials, and registration to ITE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition held during the program year. Tuition payments are due November 14, 2025.

     

    Alumni

     

    Questions

    Contact: Staff liaison Kathi Driggs kdriggs@ite.org or  leadership@ite.org