Staff Directory

Meet our Team:

• Megan Owens, Executive Director
• Deb Freer, Assistant Director
• Joel Batterman, Community Engagement Manager (part-time)
• Claire Nowak-Boyd, Communications and Operations Manager (part-time)
• Za’Nyia Kelly, Transit Outreach Specialist (through AmeriCorps)
• Petra Mihalko, Design Specialist (part-time)
• Lukas Lasecki, Engagement Specialist (part-time)
• Aaron Puno, Policy Specialist (part-time)

Megan Owens, Executive Director

• Plans, manages, guides, and oversees all TRU’s work.
• Frequently quoted in area media.
• Served on Advisory Councils for the RTA, SEMCOG, Oakland County Transit, and M-1 Rail.
• 25 years’ experience in progressive advocacy.
• 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, Community Engagement Manager

• Manages TRU’s volunteer team and activism.
• Leads TRU’s Detroit bus advocacy.
• Co-coordinator of 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

Claire Nowak-Boyd, Communications and Operations Manager

• Coordinates TRU’s administration, board, and social media.
• Former Executive Director of Preservation Detroit and Planner for the City of Flint.
• Degrees in Urban Studies and Economics from Wayne State University

Za’Nyia Kelly, Transit Outreach Specialist

• Member of the Michigan Healthy Climate Corps, part of AmeriCorps
• 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

• Designs TRU reports, fact sheets, outreach materials, and most graphical assets.
• Resident of Ann Arbor from Downriver.
• Former Intern for the City of Detroit and U-M Bus Driver.
• Studying Urban Technology and German at the University of Michigan.

Lukas Lasecki, Engagement Specialist

• Organizes & supports TRU’s volunteer efforts.
• Daily SMART bus rider from Farmington.
• Avid public transit enthusiast.
• Studying Political Science at Oakland Community College.

Aaron Puno, Policy Specialist

• Supports TRU’s legislative outreach and community outreach
• Former Editor-In-Chief of high school paper and University Radio News Broadcaster
• Studying Urban Technology at the University of Michigan