Women Who Move Nations - The Public Transport Podcast

Hosted by Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand

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Dec 2025

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About the show

The Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ)’s podcast series, Women Who Move Nations, features interviews with female public transport executives from Australia, New Zealand and around the world. Hosted by Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Future Mobility at the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning and a PTAANZ Champion, each guest shares her insights on the big issues impacting mobility today and unmissable career advice and inspiration for professionals in any sector.

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December 3, 2025Episode 637 min

Heidi Lee - CEO at Beyond Zero Emissions

Our ninth and final episode for season 8 of the Women Who Move Nations podcast proudly sponsored by NEC Australia, features Heidi Lee, CEO at Beyond Zero Emissions. Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) is one of Australia’s most impactful climate think tanks. In conversation with host, Michelle Batsas, Heidi shares how BZE is unlocking large-scale decarbonisation through place-based strategies, clean industry innovation, and coordinated national planning.With two decades of experience in sustainable design, Heidi talks systems thinking, regional transformation, and what public transport must do to be part of Australia’s clean economy. “When women lead climate action, we don’t just change emissions, we change outcomes for communities.” She also reflects on her own leadership style, the importance of mentoring emerging voices, and why representation in infrastructure and energy matters more than ever. Listen to hear how storytelling, advocacy, and design come together in the race to decarbonise, and the role transport must play in getting us there.

July 7, 2025Episode 6839 min

Trisha Fridrich - VP Marketing and Communications at All Aboard America Holdings

In this episode, Trisha Fridrich - Vice President Marketing and Communications at All Aboard America Holdings, a member of the Kelsian Group, joins PTAANZ Emerging Mobility Leader Allyssa Lacap to share her powerful journey from grassroots advocacy to executive leadership. A champion for efficiency, equity, and innovation, in this episode proudly sponsored by NEC, Trisha talks candidly about rebuilding the motor coach industry through COVID-19, advocating for $2B in relief funding, and launching inclusive driver pathways like the “Road to 100K.” “Transportation isn’t rocket science but it does take grit, integrity, and a whole lot of heart.” From small business ownership to transforming one of the US’s largest coach networks, Trisha’s story is a must-hear for anyone navigating change, leadership, and impact in public transport.

June 19, 2025Episode 6743 min

Zoe Maher - Senior Principal, WA Strategic Rail Planning Lead at WSP

What does it look like to lead with purpose, build a dream team, and reshape a city’s future—all before 40?In this episode of Women Who Move Nations, we meet Zoe Maher, Senior Principal and WA Strategic Rail Planning Lead at WSP. Proudly sponsored by NEC, in conversation with host Michelle Batsas, Zoe shares how two serendipitous career moments—one over office drinks—ignited her passion for public transport planning and ultimately led her to create and lead a powerhouse team focused on equitable, sustainable mobility.From managing a team of 100 on the Morley–Ellenbrook rail project to founding Empower Hour to uplift women in engineering, Zoe’s story is as practical as it is inspiring.“There will literally be thousands of people who’ll get an extra hour with their families every night—because of something we scribbled on a whiteboard.”Tune in for real talk on impact, equity, leadership, and why saying “yes” early in your career can change everything.

June 4, 2025Episode 636 min

Louise McCormick - Chief Executive Officer of Department of Logistics and Infrastructure

In this inspiring episode of Women Who Move Nations proudly sponsored by NEC Australia, host Michelle Bats speaks with Louise McCormick, CEO of the Department of Infrastructure and Logistics in the Northern Territory. Louise shares her remarkable journey from a bridge engineer in Queensland to one of the nation’s most influential public transport leaders. She offers candid reflections on leading large-scale reform in a geographically vast and culturally rich region, from upgrading unsealed roads and supporting remote Aboriginal communities to enhancing urban and remote bus services. Louise also dives into the critical role of soft skills in leadership, the power of mentorship, and how to build meaningful cross-border networks. Her passion for improving access and equity in mobility—especially for women and regional populations—is a powerful takeaway for all listeners. Whether you’re interested in public transport, infrastructure, or inclusive leadership, this conversation will leave you motivated to embrace opportunity and lead with authenticity.

May 9, 2025Episode 544 min

Tithi Roy - Solutions Architect at NEC

In this episode of Women Who Move Nations, host Michelle Batsas chats with Tithi Roy, Solutions Architect at NEC, about her unique career journey and the innovations she's leading in the smart transport space. Tithi shares how her background in GIS and technical roles transitioned into customer-facing positions, leading her to a pivotal role in transport technology. She discusses the growing impact of AI in public transport, particularly in enhancing safety, efficiency, and customer experience. Tithi also offers valuable insights into the power of mentorship, the importance of believing in your potential, and how women can thrive in male-dominated industries. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about overcoming challenges, driving change, and empowering women in transport.

April 16, 202535 min

Priya Dahiya - Solutions Architect at NEC

In this episode of Women Who Move Nations, proudly sponsored by NEC, host Michelle Batsas sits down with Priya Dahiya, Solutions Architect at NEC Australia, to explore how smart transport technology is transforming passenger experiences and operational performance. Priya shares her journey from traditional IT services into the transport sector, revealing how a “lucky break” led her to a purpose-driven career in public transport. Together, they unpack the power of real-time passenger information (RTPI), integrated ticketing systems, AI-led automation, and inclusive mobility tech. Priya also speaks passionately about creating accessible systems for all users—including people with vision impairments, older passengers, and non-native English speakers—and explains how collaborative leadership plays a vital role in shaping innovative, human-centred solutions. Whether you're in transport, tech, or leadership, Priya's advice to "find what you love and do your best at it" is a must-hear message.

April 4, 2025Episode 6542 min

Sandra Witzel - Director and Chief Marketing Officer at SkedGo, UK

Join us on the Women Who Move Nations podcast’s third episode as Sandra Witzel, Director and Chief Marketing Officer at SkedGo, shares her profound insights on creatingaccessible, inclusive, and sustainable transport solutions. In this episode, Sandra delves into her personal journey within the mobility sector, highlighting pivotal moments that reshaped her approach to leadership and advocacy. Discover how her lived experience as a disabled transport user fuelsher passion for mobility justice, ensuring transport systems cater to all, especially the most vulnerable. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation hosted by Michelle Batsas, and proudly sponsored by NEC.

March 19, 202544 min

Michelle Cramer - Future Communities Leader for Australia, GHD

In the second episode of season 8’s Women Who Move Nations podcast, proudly produced by PTAANZ and sponsored by NEC Australia, host Michelle Batsas sits down with Michelle Cramer, Future Communities Leader for Australia at GHD. Michelle discusses her unconventional career path, starting with a choice to work on the 2000 Olympics public art strategy over a hospital project, and emphasises the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. Michelle highlights the need for public transport to evolve with new technologies like new mobility classes and EV charging stations. She advocates for diversity of thought and storytelling as leadership tools, urging women to seize opportunities and align their careers with their values, stressing the importance of long-term societal progress and continuous learning

March 5, 2025Episode 140 min

Catherine Rinaldi - President Metro-North Railroad, MTA, New York

Welcome back to the Women Who Move Nations podcast with your host Michelle Batsas. In the first episode of season 8, proudly sponsored by NEC, we welcome Catherine Rinaldi, President Metro-North Railroad in New York. The first MTA woman president, Catherine has been serving in this role since 2018 and ran the top two busiest commuter railroads in the US for over a year when the Long Island Railroad opened their new home at Grand Central Madison. PTAANZ is proud to launch the new season of the Women Who Move Nations podcast with Catherine Rinaldi. This episode is not just inspiring; it’s also an insightful look into a storied career, and how to move and grow with change. Tune in to hear from season eight’s first incredible woman moving nations.

August 7, 2024Episode 6237 min

Aline Frantzen - Chief Operating Officer at Metro Trains Melbourne

Aline Frantzen is the Chief Operating Officer at Metro Trains Melbourne. In this episode of the Women Who Move Nations podcast proudly sponsored by NEC, Aline joins host Michelle Batsas, and dives deep into her rich international experience and her leadership in enhancing Melbourne's public transport. Aline shares insights from managing diverse transport networks across three continents and discusses challenges and innovations in urban mobility. From integrating advanced technologies to prioritising customer-centric strategies, discover how Aline's approach is shaping more efficient and inclusive transport services. A crucial conversation for those interested in the transformative impact of experienced leadership in public transportation.