Keynote Speakers

Monday, August 2nd – Melissa Wandall

National Coalition of Safer Roads (NCSR)

Melissa Wandall is devoted to educating, encouraging and empowering individuals and organizations for greater impact.

As President of the National Coalition of Safer Roads (NCSR) Melissa has set out to change highway safety and reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused by traffic collisions. NCSR’s mission is “To Connect and Empower Survivor Advocates of traffic related tragedies with the tools and resources needed to take actions supporting an end to road violence.”

As an advocate Melissa was instrumental in passing Florida’s Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act allowing Florida communities to utilize Red Light Safety Cameras to help curb negligent behaviors, make streets safer and save lives.

In addition, Melissa is dedicated to facilitating support for children, teens and young adults in grief. She is the Founder and Director of The Mark Wandall Foundation, a 501C3 non-profit organization.

The initial focus affords provisions and assistance to grieving children, teens and young adults who has experienced the death of a primary family member or guardian.

Furthermore Melissa is an active Coalition member, spokesperson and campaign ambassador for Alert Today Florida an organization that works to implement Florida’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Safety Plan. She is also a Vision Zero Champion. The goal of Vision Zero is to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries.

Consistent and focused and with a natural ability to engage others, she utilizes her personal life story as a springboard to effect positive change. Known as a passionate presenter by numerous insurance companies, government agencies and business leaders, Melissa’s genuine spirit influences the hearts of her listeners inspiring motivation and purpose.

Melissa’s efforts were recognized by The National Safety Council as a 2016 Distinguished Service to Safety Award winner. The Distinguished Service to Safety Award recognizes outstanding service and contributions to the field of safety, and it is the most prestigious award given to individuals by the National Safety Council.

As an Advocacy Consultant Melissa actively travels the U.S. and Internationally, participating in speaking engagements, workshops and shares her message by encouraging authentic leadership, inspiration, and resolution.

Roger Millar, Washington State Department of Transportation

Roger Millar was appointed Secretary of Transportation in August 2016. Millar oversees an agency that is the steward of a multimodal transportation system and responsible for ensuring that people and goods mov

e safely and efficiently. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT is responsible for the state ferry system and works in partnership with others to maintain and improve local roads, railroads and airports, as well as to support alternatives to driving, such as public transportation, bicycles and pedestrian programs.

Roger is an experienced land use and transportation engineer, planner, and program manager with an international reputation for innovative approaches to conservation and development. The prominent theme that has run through his career has been planning and implementing transportation systems that are not ends unto themselves; but rather the means toward economic vitality, environmental stewardship, social equity, public health, and aesthetic quality.

Roger is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners and a Certified Floodplain Manager. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1982.