The U.S. DOT Volpe Center gathered recently to say thank you and farewell to our longtime director Anne Aylward who announced her retirement plans this spring. Her last day with the U.S. DOT Volpe Center is September 30, and she is working with our leadership team on transition planning. We will announce a new director soon.  

Aylward has served as the U.S. DOT Volpe Center director since 2016, the Center’s seventh permanent director since its inception in 1970 and the first woman to hold the position. Before being named director, she spent more than 20 years at the U.S. DOT Volpe Center, first as the transportation practice manager on its on-site contract, then director of multimodal planning and analysis and deputy director for research. Prior to joining the U.S. DOT Volpe Center, Aylward spent almost 20 years at the Massachusetts Port Authority, including more than a decade as port director.  

She successfully led the U.S. DOT Volpe Center through the COVID-19 pandemic, where staff will remember her for her calm in the face of chaos, willingness to make quick, smart decisions, her open and frank communication, and her laser focus on staff safety, connection and well-being, which led to high productivity and staff satisfaction levels.  

Aylward will also be remembered for leading the U.S. DOT Volpe Center through its move to 220 Binney Street, which opened its doors in September 2023 as a new, state-of-the-art LEED platinum certified facility in the heart of Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA.  

Under her guidance, the U.S. DOT Volpe Center has grown tremendously and hired hundreds of energetic and talented professionals. Aylward had a particular passion for professional development and DEIA initiatives, and under her leadership, more women have been promoted into leadership roles.  She worked to strengthen relationships with U.S. DOT modal administrations and other partners, helping to increase the value of U.S. DOT Volpe Center’s work portfolio and most recently reprioritize staff to focus on supporting the implementation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

After a groundbreaking and illustrious career, she has made substantial contributions to U.S. DOT priorities. To cap off her tenure, on her very last day at the U.S. DOT Volpe Center, the National Academy of Public Administration announced Aylward’s selection as a 2024 Fellow. Her staff of 700 analysts, economists, engineers, planners, scientists, operational staff, and system developers wish her happiness and health in her much-deserved retirement.  

Anne, from everyone at the U.S. DOT Volpe Center, we will forever thank you for your leadership, your warmth, your example, and your service and dedication to our mission to advance transportation innovation for the public good. 

About the U.S. DOT Volpe Center

Celebrating more than 50 years of federal service to the nation, the U.S. DOT Volpe Center’s mission is to transform transportation for all.

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