ACT Webinar - Community Transportation Navigators

Community Transportation Navigators: A Partnership Between Hopelink and King County Metro

Community Transportation Navigators are champions with unique lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, or similar languages to the communities they serve. These individuals are passionate about supporting and educating others on transportation resources and solutions. This session will focus on the ins and outs of running the program and how it can be implemented in your community. Panelists will provide insight into making this program inclusive and community-based and will also engage in research and evaluation.

Meet the speakers 

Penny Lara (She/Her) is a Transportation Planner III in King County Metro’s Market Innovation Section. Penny manages grants that involve working with many non-profit organizations and local cities on enhancing access to transportation for front line communities. Prior to joining Metro, Penny worked for the Department of Public Health Seattle-King County where she played a key role in implementing ORCA LIFT-a reduced transit fare for low-income residents building upon her experience leading the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in the Latino community in King County. Penny has over 28-years of knowledge and experience working with diverse and immigrant populations on health, social justice, and equity. Penny is a passionate community advocate with deep understanding of diversity and equity. She is skilled at connecting people by creating effective strategies that bridge information and services to those that need it the most.

Sandy Phan (She/Her), Program Supervisor from Hopelink Mobility Management, oversees the Community Transportation Navigators program, a peer-to-peer approach providing trusted transportation information and outreach to hard-to-reach communities. Sandy is a Seattle Native who studied Public Health at the University of Washington with an emphasis on working with community-based organizations to make a positive impact. When Sandy isn’t collaborating with the community, you can find her enjoying all the unique coffee shops around her community.