WTS-DC Member Spotlight: Polly Hanson
Member Spotlight: A Career Built on Service, Leadership, and Lifting Others
From managing transit security at the national level to mentoring the next generation of transportation professionals, Polly Hanson has spent her career proving that transportation is more than infrastructure—it’s about people, purpose, and progress.
Currently serving as Senior Director of Security, Risk & Emergency Management at APTA, Polly’s journey into transportation was anything but planned. With a background in communications and early work experiences ranging from park police dispatch to metro traffic control, she discovered early on that transit touches “everyone and everything.” That realization—that transit is truly transformative—became the foundation of a career defined by service and leadership.
Finding Value Through WTS-DC
Although Polly was aware of WTS for many years, her deeper involvement began about eight years ago when she recognized an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between APTA, WTS International, and local chapters—especially WTS‑DC. Under the leadership of Paul P. Skoutelas, she pushed for greater collaboration and engagement at the chapter level, believing strongly in the power of local connections.
For Polly, one of the earliest and most meaningful benefits of WTS membership was the people she met along the way, including influential leaders like Beverly Swims Daley, former Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation. Beyond networking, she found deep satisfaction in mentoring—helping women succeed, grow into leadership roles, and secure opportunities that move both their careers and the industry forward.
Navigating a Changing Industry
As a woman in a traditionally male‑dominated field, Polly’s career was shaped by both opportunity and challenge. She credits strong female leaders for opening doors, while also acknowledging the very real obstacles women faced—particularly earlier in her career. After having a child in 1986, she was questioned simply for returning to work, a reminder of how far the industry has come and how much progress has been driven by women who stayed the course.
Her leadership trajectory includes becoming Chief of Metro Transit Police in 2002 and later joining the U.S. Air Marshals in 2014, where she was offered—but declined—the role of second in command. Each decision reflected a thoughtful balance of professional ambition, service, and personal values.
Moments That Define Transportation
When asked about a favorite transportation memory, Polly points to September 11, 2001, calling it WMATA’s finest day. While other systems shut down, WMATA leadership made the decision to keep service running to get people home safely—a moment that underscored the critical role transit plays in times of crisis.
Her career has also included work on major national and international events—from Super Bowls and G‑8 Summits to papal visits and presidential inaugurations—each reinforcing the complexity and importance of transportation operations.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Some of Polly’s most fulfilling projects focus on education and outreach, including Transportation U, partnering with Girl Scouts to design a transportation badge, and introducing students at McKinley Technical High School to streetcar operations. Her message is simple and powerful: any job you want to do, you can do it in transportation.
Now serving on the WTS‑DC Board, Polly encourages members to get involved by joining committees, expanding their networks, and building a broader professional “toolbox.” She believes these connections not only strengthen careers but also set meaningful examples for the next generation.
Looking Ahead
As WTS International approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, Polly reflects on the remarkable evolution of women’s leadership in transportation—from the first female transit CEOs to today’s “sofa” of senior women leaders shaping the industry. This progress, she notes, strengthens both communities and companies by bringing diverse perspectives to the table.
Whether advocating for collaboration, mentoring future leaders, or ensuring transit systems serve the public when it matters most, Polly Hanson’s career embodies the mission and values of WTS‑DC—and reminds us why involvement matters.