Eileen Collins Turvey exemplifies what it means to be a transformative leader in accessible public transportation. As Director of Accessible Transportation Programs at TriMet, she has spent the past three years redefining what equitable mobility can look like for people with disabilities across the Portland metropolitan region. Her work demonstrates not only deep technical expertise in ADA compliance and paratransit operations, but also a profound commitment to dignity, independence, and customer-centered innovation.

Leadership and Operational Excellence

In her role overseeing the daily operations of TriMet’s paratransit services, Eileen has elevated both the customer experience and the efficiency of the system. She leads with clarity, compassion, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement. Under her direction, TriMet has strengthened service reliability, modernized internal processes, and fostered a culture where accessibility is not an afterthought but a core value.

Expertise in Policy, Compliance, and Advocacy

Eileen brings a rare combination of operational leadership and policy fluency. Her background spans public transit, ADA compliance, public policy, communications, strategic planning, and team development. She is a trusted voice in regional and national conversations about accessible transportation, consistently advocating for policies that expand mobility options and protect the rights of riders with disabilities.

Innovation with Measurable Impact

Eileen’s forward-thinking approach has produced one of the most groundbreaking paratransit innovations in recent years. Her pilot program providing Instacart Plus memberships to paratransit customers—winner of the 2024 APTA Innovation Award—has reshaped how agencies think about essential trips. The program has saved TriMet approximately $1,500 per month per participant, with the potential to save $9 million annually if scaled systemwide. More importantly, it has given riders greater autonomy, flexibility, and quality of life.

This initiative reflects Eileen’s ability to think beyond traditional service models and design solutions that meet people where they are, honoring both their time and their independence.

Community Impact and Vision

Eileen’s work has fundamentally transformed the landscape of accessible transportation in the Portland region. Through her leadership, TriMet’s paratransit system has become more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs of its riders. Her dedication to improving access is not just professional—it is deeply personal and rooted in a belief that mobility is a human right.

Her vision continues to inspire colleagues, community partners, and transit professionals nationwide. She is a model of what ADA leadership should be: innovative, empathetic, strategic, and unwavering in the pursuit of a more accessible world.

For these reasons, we proudly nominate Eileen Collins for ADA Professional of the Year. Her contributions have already changed lives, and her leadership will continue to shape the future of accessible transportation for years to come.