MBTA Chief of Integrated Transit Programs Desiree Patrice Receives COMTO-Boston 2024 Women Making Transportation History Award | News (2024)

BOSTON – The MBTA is pleased to congratulate MBTA Chief of Integrated Transit Programs Desiree Patrice for receiving the 2024 Women Making Transportation History Award from the Conference of Minority Transportation Official (COMTO) Boston Chapter, an association that promotes advancement and leadership opportunities in the transportation industry for minority professionals.

Chief Patrice was honored last week during a COMTO-Boston event at the State Transportation Building at 10 Park Plaza in Boston that also featured remarks by MassDOT Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt, MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng, current COMTO-Boston Chapter President Aboubacar Konate, former COMTO-Boston Chapter President Lidy Chan, and MassDOT/MBTA Acting Chief of Diversity Francisco Morales.

Patrice also provided remarks that highlighted her journey and her leadership accomplishments that were based on excellence, transparency, honesty, humility, determination, and grace.

“This award amplifies The Power of Refusing to accept NO. ‘No, you can’t,’ or ‘NO, you don’t belong in this position, field, or at this table,’” said Chief Patrice. “It also amplifies the power of ‘refusing to accept NO as my truth.’”

“Chief Desiree Patrice is an amazing leader and visionary in transportation. She is an incredible asset to the MBTA who always centers her work around MBTA users. Her dedication and commitment to those users is commendable and this honor is well deserved,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt.

“I congratulate Desiree on receiving the Women Making Transportation History Award, which recognizes not only her remarkable achievements at the MBTA, but also her compassionate leadership, her commitment to equity, and her steadfast dedication to improving all aspects of our transit system,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “Desiree has dedicated her multi-decade career to improving the T and ultimately the diverse communities that our transit system touches, leading a variety of programs aimed at upgrading historic infrastructure and meeting challenges head-on with creative strategies to get things done. I’m proud to celebrate Desiree’s achievements – thank you, Desiree, for being a model public sector leader and for your many years of service here at the T.”

“My credo is that the best way to get ahead is to help others get ahead. Be that person for the next generation,” said President of COMTO Boston Aboubacar Konate. “So, I was thrilled that our COMTO Boston Chapter chose to honor and celebrate the career and achievements of Desiree Patrice, as she exemplifies this notion and serves as an extraordinary role model to attract and retain women from communities of color in the transportation industry.”

The COMTO-Boston Women Making Transportation History Award is given to a distinguished woman who has made a profound contribution to the transportation industry. Patrice, with over two decades of construction and civil engineering expertise, was honored for her leadership of transformative programs to improve the MBTA’s Red, Orange, Green, and Mattapan lines, overcoming inherent challenges associated with historic infrastructure, and developing creative strategies to navigate complex issues. Patrice was recognized for her enduring dedication to public service, exceptional leadership, and impact within the Capital Transformation program at the MBTA, which has improved transportation in Boston while ensuring all are valued, respected, and part of an equitable and inclusive community.

Throughout her tenure at the MBTA, Patrice has been dedicated to various vital projects, including the design and management of the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line’s Blue Hill Avenue Station and spearheading accessibility initiatives at Porter, Harvard, State, and Park Street stations. She also plays a pivotal role in developing and orchestrating multi-day suspensions to subway service to facilitate critical infrastructure work and oversees the execution of critical power and signal projects, among others.

Beyond her contributions to public transit, Patrice also serves as a member of the Executive Board of Directors of Domestic Violence Ended (DOVE). Originally from the Commonwealth of Dominica, Patrice holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology.