Leanne Redden

Leanne Redden is the RTA executive director. Prior to her position, she served as the RTA’s acting executive director and was also the senior deputy executive director of planning, managing the RTA’s planning department. Ms. Redden was instrumental in developing Strategic Long Range Planning initiatives for the region’s transit system and was a key player in the state’s 2008 Funding Reform Legislation. Under her leadership, the RTA Planning Department completed the first Regional Market and Systems Analysis and Bus Rapid Transit work, including the region’s first bus-on-shoulder service. Under her leadership, the agency secured $40 million in federal funds to support the development of the regional Traffic Signal Priority Program, as well as funds for the region’s first Green Transit Plan. Prior to joining the RTA, Ms. Redden served as the Chief of Planning at the Illinois Tollway, and the Director of Transportation for the Village of Schaumburg. She has a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New South Wales, Australia. Ms. Redden is also an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).