Theresa De Benedetti, Communications Intern (part-time)
Makenna Literral, Community Outreach Intern (part-time)
Aaron Puno, Policy Intern (part-time)
Logan Foust, Fundraising Intern (part-time)
Megan Owens, Executive Director
Plans, manages, guides, and oversees all TRU’s work.
Transit expert frequently quoted in area media and on conference panels.
Served on Advisory Councils for the RTA, SEMCOG, Oakland County Transit, and M-1 Rail.
25 years experience in progressive advocacy, including with the Public Interest Research Groups.
Training from University of Michigan and Leadership Detroit.
Deborah Freer, Assistant Director
Leads TRU’s event planning, membership engagement, and fundraising.
Project Manager for the Michigan Towards Equitable Electric Mobility cohort.
Community Outreach Coordinator for the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority for several years.
Degree in Urban Planning from Eastern Michigan University.
Joel Batterman, Campaigns Manager
Manages TRU’s volunteer team and activism.
Leads TRU’s Detroit bus advocacy and Transportation Civic Academy.
Previously led Motor City Freedom Riders and Transit Riders of the United States Together (TRUST), a national network of transit advocates
PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan
Za’Nyia Kelly, Engagement Manager
Advancing the understanding of transit within the Detroit Region and the mobility needs of residents.
Native Detroiter with 17 years of experience in climate and environmental advocacy as well as racial justice activism.
Dedicated to advocating for the improved health and well-being of underserved communities both locally and globally.
Petra Mihalko, Design Specialist (part-time)
Designs TRU materials and coordinates communications efforts.
Originally from Downriver.
Previous experience designing transit signage and as a bus driver for the University of Michigan.
Finishing a degree in Urban Technology and German at the University of Michigan.
Lukas Lasecki, Engagement Specialist (part-time)
Organizes & supports TRU’s volunteer efforts.
Daily SMART bus rider from Farmington.
Avid public transit enthusiast and local bus expert.
Studying Political Science at Oakland Community College
Theresa De Benedetti, Communications Intern (part-time)
Student journalist at Wayne State University.
Studying journalism with a concentration in print and online media with a minor in graphic design at Wayne State University.
Former breaking news reporter and news editor for The South End.
Makenna Litteral, Community Outreach Intern (part-time)
Second-year, dual-degree Master of Urban and Regional Planning and Master in Environment and Sustainability graduate student at the University of Michigan.
From Holland, MI and received an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Central Michigan University.
Previously worked in environmental education and served as a College Completion Coach at Muskegon Community College through the AmeriCorps program.
Involved with the Radical Planning Initiative and the Agora Journal for Urban Planning and Design at the University of Michigan
Aaron Puno, Policy Intern (part-time)
Works on legislative policy and journalistic matters.
Lifelong Ann Arbor resident.
Former newspaper editor-in-chief.
Incoming junior at the University of Michigan for Urban Technology.
Logan Foust, Fundraising Intern (part-time)
Senior at Michigan State University, studying Political Science, with a minor in Russian Language and Law, Justice, & Public Policy.
From South Lyon, MI
Looking to attend law school to study Civil Rights Law or Constitutional Law.
