Agenda Overview:

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Program Orientation

3. Program Objectives

4. Meet your Team!

Crystal Royval is a Public Information Officer for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) and serves as a conduit between the Southern California Regional Office and Authority headquarters. Her focus is to promote the high-speed rail and build an inclusive stakeholder and public outreach program, while engaging with regional organizations, small businesses, schools, non-profits, and communities within the region. Crystal began her career in the transportation industry in 2018 at Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) as a construction relations officer on the Purple (D) Line Extension Project. Following her time at Metro, she worked as a community relations project manager and was a consultant for the Metrolink SCORE Program. Crystal currently sits on the board at the YMCA Montebello-Commerce, and recently served as the CalSTA Leadership Team Vice- Chair, representing the Authority for the “Our Promise 2021 Campaign” - a philanthropic initiative from state agencies to raise funds for regional organizations. Crystal has been recognized by the city of Los Angeles for her outstanding citizenship and activities enhancing community betterment. Fun fact – Crystal was a featured extra on the movie Freedom Writers, a true story based on the book “The Freedom Writers Diary” which inspired her to dedicate her passion to her life’s mission “Giving. Oneness. Destiny.”

Rogelio Pardo brings a commitment to serving communities with a diverse transportation planning background and experience in the non-profit, public, and private sectors. Serving as Program Director, he works with UML’s partners to guide pilot projects and identify metrics to ensure lessons learned inform policy and regulations in a way that facilitates the adoption of mobility services to benefit community members. Rogelio applies his experience in transportation policy and design, strategic planning, and community engagement, to foster partnerships between community members, public agencies, and private partners to test meaningful mobility solutions to Los Angeles.

Andrina is a Lead Consultant for WSP USA with over 8 years of sustainability and resilience program development and implementation experience. She has extensive experience with agencies at the local, regional, and federal government levels and collaborates with teams across disciplines to understand and address climate risks and promote resiliency in our infrastructure and human systems. Prior to joining WSP, Andrina worked at LA Metro as the Project Manager for the climate adaptation and resiliency program, including the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and the Resiliency Indicator Framework.

Anika-Aduesa Smart is currently the Director of the newly established GIS Program at LA Metro. She has a 19 year public agency career with 7 of those here at Metro. In addition to her degree in Mathematics and Statistics, and a background in natural science and geography, she is G-Pro certified and a certified Envision instructor. She has a diverse and complementary background of experience in transportation planning, finance, operations, sustainability, and safety and security. Anika’s interest in GIS first started in 2004 when she was first asked to develop GIS support for the Metropolitan Transportation System in San Diego, which was a natural fit for her skill set and knowledge. She has most recently led LA Metro to win a prestigious international SAG Award from Esri this year for the work being done in GIS to support Metro’s business objectives.

Anika loves sports, and in her spare time enjoys observing hummingbirds, gardening and exploring landforms.

Mayen Alcantara, Senior Manager Arts + Community Enrichment, works for LA Metro commissioning artwork, curating exhibitions and developing artist initiatives for a variety of transit environments and infrastructure projects. Alcantara has BS in Civil Engineering from Brown University and an MFA in Sculpture from RISD. She is an LA based artist and arts administrator.

Tiyesha began her career as a Senate Fellow for Senator Richard Pan, MD. Following her fellowship, she remained with Senator Pan as a legislative aide where she gained an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the legislative process, by leading policy efforts on housing, education, transportation, and public safety, in addition to budget advocacy. After leaving the California Legislature, Tiyesha became a Budget Analyst for the College Finance and Facilities Planning Division at the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office where she advocated for local assistance and capital outlay funds with the Legislature and the Department of Finance. Currently, Tiyesha works as a legislative and policy advocate for the California Academy of Family Physicians where she advocates for health care access, health care workforce, reproductive and behavioral health access.

Tiyesha is originally from South Central Los Angeles and is a first-generation college graduate. She graduated from the University of California, Davis, in 2019 and received a B.A. in Political Science-Public Service and a B.A. in African and African American Studies. While attending UC Davis, Tiyesha received the Leslie Campbell Award for her academic performance, research, student leadership, community service, volunteerism, and mentorship. After graduating college, she was accepted into the Capitol Fellows Senate Fellowship Program and received a graduate certificate in Applied Public Policy and Government from the California State University, Sacramento.

Outside of work, Tiyesha enjoys attending music festivals, reading, listening to music, and watching classic 90s-early 2000s cinema in her spare time.