As Women's History Month draws to a close, it's an opportune time to reflect on the invaluable contributions of women leaders in various industries, including transit technology. At Blaise Transit, we are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women who are shaping the landscape of transit technology in North America.
Today, we shine a spotlight on three exceptional women leaders within our own ranks: Paraskivie Murr, Joanna Silva, Olivia White and Patricia Lefebvre. These individuals embody excellence in their work and push boundaries and drive positive change in the transit tech sector.
Paraskivie Murr - Head of Service Delivery
Paraskivie earned her Masters of Engineering in Transportation Planning from École Polytechnique de Montréal. She began working at Blaise three years ago, as a Mobility Solutions Project Manager and now leads our client projects as Head of Service Delivery. Her journey at Blaise Transit has been marked by numerous accomplishments, but one that stands out is her pivotal role in her work with clients, notably her leadership role launching Blaise Transit’s software in over 23 communities as part of our province-wide on-demand transit project in Nova Scotia. Leading this project requires advanced coordination and a deep understanding of different clients’ needs. When asked about this accomplishment, Paraskivie shares, "I’m happy to have been able to streamline our client onboarding process to enable launching more clients with limited resources." Her commitment to efficiency and excellence has propelled our company forward, allowing us to better serve our clients and their communities.
Within her professional achievements, Paraskivie finds immense fulfillment in the vibrant and supportive culture at Blaise Transit. "I feel lucky to be part of such a bright and supportive team," she says. "Each person at Blaise is unique and inspiring in their own ways." Her leadership and positive attitude enrich our workplace environment, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Joanna Silva - Intern, Service Delivery Team
Joanna is currently a graduate student at York University's Master in Environmental Studies, Planning program. Before pivoting to urban planning, she worked in various marketing and product management roles, including at Amazon. As Joanna balances her studies in Urban Planning with her internship at Blaise Transit, she brings a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to our team. For Joanna, the opportunity to apply her academic knowledge in a real-world setting is both rewarding and exciting. "Working at Blaise is a fun and fulfilling experience," she shares. "Everyone on the Blaise team is passionate about public transportation and/or technology, and their drive to continuously move both forward is motivating!"
Joanna's passion for serving communities extends beyond her professional responsibilities. Whether she's interacting with clients or assisting passengers, Joanna finds joy in making a difference. "Sometimes when I see someone running after their bus, I like to stop and flag it down for them because I know missing the bus or being late might throw off their whole day," she explains. At Blaise Transit, Joanna's dedication to customer satisfaction embodies our commitment to enhancing the transit experience for all.
Olivia White - Business Development Team
Olivia holds a Masters in Urban Planning from McGill University and is passionate about increasing access to sustainable transportation options in her work. For Olivia, joining Blaise Transit was more than just a career move – it was a chance to make a meaningful impact on communities across North America. Through her role on the Business Development team, Olivia engages directly with transit agencies and gathers valuable insights to inform our product development efforts. "Since joining Blaise, I have been able to meet with transit agencies staff situated in towns and cities across the US and Canada, hearing their stories about providing the transit services that are essential to their communities," she shares.
Olivia's passion for improving public transit stems from her personal experiences growing up in the Maritimes. "I joined Blaise because I believe in the mission of the company," she explains. "Working at Blaise means I get to be a part of a company that helps transit agencies in small towns and cities provide high-quality public transit. That is a future I want to be a part of!" Her dedication to our company's mission drives us forward, inspiring us to continue innovating and advancing transit technology.
Patricia Lefebvre - Startup Advisor at Finalytics
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In addition to our own team members, we are honored to highlight the contributions of Patricia Lefebvre, who works as our Startup Advisor at Finalytics. Patricia's journey in finance leadership has been characterized by growth and self-discovery. Reflecting on her accomplishments, she shares, "Learning to identify my role in supporting the business and identifying financial risks has definitely been a challenge in my professional life. As a leader, communication is such an important tool to develop influence within our organization and learning to improve how we communicate difficult information can make a major difference on the conclusion of a conversation.”
Patricia's insights extend beyond her own experiences, as she offers valuable advice to aspiring women leaders. "My advice would be to welcome vulnerability as part of the journey to discovering the type of leader you aspire to be," she emphasizes. "Being a leader is definitely not a final destination; it is an ever-evolving state of mind."
Having collaborated with Blaise Transit for almost two years, Patricia acknowledges the company's rapid growth and unwavering dedication to making public transit more accessible for smaller communities. "I have witnessed the determination, motivation, and collaboration within the entire team," she remarks. "It's been very rewarding to contribute to this success story."
As we celebrate Women's History Month, let us not only recognize the achievements of women leaders in transit tech but also commit ourselves to fostering an inclusive and diverse industry where every voice is valued and heard. At Blaise Transit, we are proud to champion women like Paraskivie, Joanna, Olivia, and Patricia, whose contributions are instrumental in shaping the future of transportation.
March 8th marks International Women's Day, and Blaise Transit is honored to shine a spotlight on the remarkable women who are leading the way in transit agencies across North America.
In the 17th century, a man by the name of Blaise Pascal came up with an idea to run five-cent coaches around specified, heavily trafficked routes in Paris, picking up and dropping off passengers at designated points. What started on March 18, 1662 became the primary blueprint for the concept of public transportation.
Blaise Transit is thrilled to be bringing its leading on-demand transit software to two of Montana's most rural communities: Valley County and Powder River County. This expansion is a significant milestone for Blaise, as these communities represent the first two of many upcoming deployments in the United States.
