Zoe Maher - Senior Principal, WA Strategic Rail Planning Lead at WSP

What does it look like to lead with purpose, build a dream team, and reshape a city’s future—all before 40?In this episode of Women Who Move Nations, we meet Zoe Maher, Senior Principal and WA Strategic Rail Planning Lead at WSP. Proudly sponsored by NEC, in conversation with host Michelle Batsas, Zoe shares how two serendipitous career moments—one over office drinks—ignited her passion for public transport planning and ultimately led her to create and lead a powerhouse team focused on equitable, sustainable mobility.From managing a team of 100 on the Morley–Ellenbrook rail project to founding Empower Hour to uplift women in engineering, Zoe’s story is as practical as it is inspiring.“There will literally be thousands of people who’ll get an extra hour with their families every night—because of something we scribbled on a whiteboard.”Tune in for real talk on impact, equity, leadership, and why saying “yes” early in your career can change everything.

In this inspiring episode of Women Who Move Nations proudly sponsored by NEC Australia, host Michelle Bats speaks with Louise McCormick, CEO of the Department of Infrastructure and Logistics in the Northern Territory. Louise shares her remarkable journey from a bridge engineer in Queensland to one of the nation’s most influential public transport leaders. She offers candid reflections on leading large-scale reform in a geographically vast and culturally rich region, from upgrading unsealed roads and supporting remote Aboriginal communities to enhancing urban and remote bus services. Louise also dives into the critical role of soft skills in leadership, the power of mentorship, and how to build meaningful cross-border networks. Her passion for improving access and equity in mobility—especially for women and regional populations—is a powerful takeaway for all listeners. Whether you’re interested in public transport, infrastructure, or inclusive leadership, this conversation will leave you motivated to embrace opportunity and lead with authenticity.

In this episode of Women Who Move Nations, host Michelle Batsas chats with Tithi Roy, Solutions Architect at NEC, about her unique career journey and the innovations she's leading in the smart transport space. Tithi shares how her background in GIS and technical roles transitioned into customer-facing positions, leading her to a pivotal role in transport technology. She discusses the growing impact of AI in public transport, particularly in enhancing safety, efficiency, and customer experience. Tithi also offers valuable insights into the power of mentorship, the importance of believing in your potential, and how women can thrive in male-dominated industries. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about overcoming challenges, driving change, and empowering women in transport.

In this episode of Women Who Move Nations, proudly sponsored by NEC, host Michelle Batsas sits down with Priya Dahiya, Solutions Architect at NEC Australia, to explore how smart transport technology is transforming passenger experiences and operational performance. Priya shares her journey from traditional IT services into the transport sector, revealing how a “lucky break” led her to a purpose-driven career in public transport. Together, they unpack the power of real-time passenger information (RTPI), integrated ticketing systems, AI-led automation, and inclusive mobility tech. Priya also speaks passionately about creating accessible systems for all users—including people with vision impairments, older passengers, and non-native English speakers—and explains how collaborative leadership plays a vital role in shaping innovative, human-centred solutions. Whether you're in transport, tech, or leadership, Priya's advice to "find what you love and do your best at it" is a must-hear message.

Join us on the Women Who Move Nations podcast’s third episode as Sandra Witzel, Director and Chief Marketing Officer at SkedGo, shares her profound insights on creatingaccessible, inclusive, and sustainable transport solutions. In this episode, Sandra delves into her personal journey within the mobility sector, highlighting pivotal moments that reshaped her approach to leadership and advocacy. Discover how her lived experience as a disabled transport user fuelsher passion for mobility justice, ensuring transport systems cater to all, especially the most vulnerable. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation hosted by Michelle Batsas, and proudly sponsored by NEC.

In the second episode of season 8’s Women Who Move Nations podcast, proudly produced by PTAANZ and sponsored by NEC Australia, host Michelle Batsas sits down with Michelle Cramer, Future Communities Leader for Australia at GHD. Michelle discusses her unconventional career path, starting with a choice to work on the 2000 Olympics public art strategy over a hospital project, and emphasises the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. Michelle highlights the need for public transport to evolve with new technologies like new mobility classes and EV charging stations. She advocates for diversity of thought and storytelling as leadership tools, urging women to seize opportunities and align their careers with their values, stressing the importance of long-term societal progress and continuous learning

Welcome back to the Women Who Move Nations podcast with your host Michelle Batsas. In the first episode of season 8, proudly sponsored by NEC, we welcome Catherine Rinaldi, President Metro-North Railroad in New York.   The first MTA woman president, Catherine has been serving in this role since 2018 and ran the top two busiest commuter railroads in the US for over a year when the Long Island Railroad opened their new home at Grand Central Madison. PTAANZ is proud to launch the new season of the Women Who Move Nations podcast with Catherine Rinaldi. This episode is not just inspiring; it’s also an insightful look into a storied career, and how to move and grow with change. Tune in to hear from season eight’s first incredible woman moving nations.  

Aline Frantzen is the Chief Operating Officer at Metro Trains Melbourne. In this episode of the Women Who Move Nations podcast proudly sponsored by NEC, Aline joins host Michelle Batsas, and dives deep into her rich international experience and her leadership in enhancing Melbourne's public transport. Aline shares insights from managing diverse transport networks across three continents and discusses challenges and innovations in urban mobility. From integrating advanced technologies to prioritising customer-centric strategies, discover how Aline's approach is shaping more efficient and inclusive transport services. A crucial conversation for those interested in the transformative impact of experienced leadership in public transportation.

Dr Dia Adhikari Smith is a leading research academic at the University of Queensland. In this episode of the Women Who Move Nations podcast, proudly sponsored by NEC, Dia talks to guest host and one of PTAANZ’s Emerging Mobility Leaders, Caitlin Mowatt, about her significant contributions to the decarbonisation of transport through her extensive work with electric, hydrogen, and advanced biofuel technologies. Dia discusses the integration of renewable energy sources and smart grid technologies into public transport, offering insights into the future of low and zero-emission vehicles. Dia also shares her journey from electrical engineering to pioneering decarbonisation research, emphasising the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in driving sustainable transport solutions globally. A not-to-be-missed episode highlighting the strides women are making across the public transport industry for a more sustainable future.  

Trudi Mares is the Deputy Secretary at Transport for NSW. In this episode of the Women Who Move Nations podcast, proudly sponsored by NEC, Trudi talks to host Michelle Batsas about transformative changes in NSW transport. Trudi delves into enhancing network reliability to increase patronage, with a strong focus on equitable access. Trudi shares her pivotal transition from corporate affairs roles to spearheading strategic planning and public transport operations. Discover her innovative approach to integrating transport services with urban development and her proactive strategies for overcoming fiscal constraints and improving customer experiences. A not-to-be-missed dialogue for those passionate about the evolution of public transport systems.