Transportation Riders United
Ms. Owens coordinates and oversees all of TRU’s advocacy, education, fundraising, and engagement, always maintaining focus on the goal of improved transit. She is TRU’s lead spokesperson and a frequent source for local and national media. She led TRU’s work advocating the creation of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and continues to watchdog their work.
She is also on the Executive Committee of the RTA’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee and Chairs the Oakland County Public Transit Authority, which oversees SMART bus service in Oakland County. Dedicated to ongoing learning, she completed fellowships with Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit, the Michigan Nonprofit Association’s Executive Leadership Fellowship and the Center for Progressive Leadership.
Previously, Ms. Owens spent six years with PIRGIM (the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan) leading the passage of state identity theft laws and advocating a reduction air pollution from coal-burning power plants. She has also worked on several political campaigns and taught environmental education in the Michigan State Parks.
A nearly lifelong Michigan resident, she graduated from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment where she co-lead the nation’s largest voter registration drive and promoted community service. She currently lives in Hazel Park with her husband and daughters and enjoys traveling, baking, video games, and Detroit’s wonderful festivals.
About TRU
Transportation Riders United is a nonprofit organization that has been working since 1999 to improve public transit in greater Detroit through education, engagement, and advocacy.Based in downtown Detroit, our mission is to improve and promote transit in greater Detroit in order to restore urban vitality, insure transportation equity, and improve quality of life.
Our volunteer Board of Directors sets our mission and priorities, ensures sufficient resources, and oversees our activities. Our small but active staff lead and manage TRU’s daily activities, which include research, education, engagement, outreach, and advocacy.
Our plans and priorities are laid out in their entirety in our 3-year Strategic Plan. Each year, we evaluate the current transit situation and our ability to make an impact in order to update that plan and create an Annual Plan. Our current priorities include:
1. Build majority support for regional transit and dedicated funding.
2. Maintain and improve Detroit bus service.
3. Develop tools and systems to effectively share our knowledge and positions
4. Strengthen TRU structure, decision-making, and board leadership
5. Expand our annual Regional Transit Awards fundraising dinner