Honoring IBTTA Presidents on International Women’s Day

In celebration of International Women’s Day, IBTTA is recognizing five of its most noteworthy women leaders: IBTTA Presidents Lisa Callahan (1997), Mary Jane O’Meara (1999), Susan Buse (2008), Emanuela Stocchi (2017) and current President Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti (2022). Each of these leaders left their mark on IBTTA and have helped pave the way for other women leaders in this industry. Get to know them each a little better.

Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti (IBTTA 2022 President)

Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti was confirmed as the 19th Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation on June 7, 2018. She was appointed Acting Commissioner on December 19, 2017 and began serving on January 16, 2018. A native New Jerseyan, Diane is a transportation professional with more than 32 years in the industry, and 38 years in government service. She possesses extensive executive, operational, and planning knowledge. Most recently, the Commissioner served as the Executive Director and CEO at Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, a part of the Florida Department of Transportation, for more than six years. Under her leadership, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise managed more than 460 centerline miles and a 5-year capital program in excess of $6 billion, supported by $1 billion in revenues. While she currently serves as IBTTA's President, she has also served on IBTTA's Executive Committee.

Emanuela Stocchi (IBTTA 2017 President)

Emanuela Stocchi is the Director of International Affairs for AISCAT (Associazione Italiana Società Concessionarie Autostrade e Trafori), the Italian Association of Toll Highways Concessionaires Companies. In this role she ensures the Association’s contacts with the EU Institutions and other European and International organizations active in the transportation field. Emanuela is Chair of the ASECAP Permanent Committee of Road Safety, Environment and Sustainability and is also French-speaking Secretary of the PIARC (World Road Association) Terminology Committee. She served IBTTA and its members through work on several committees before being appointed to the Board of Directors in 2011. Emanuela served a two-year term as International Vice President, a two-year term as Second and then First Vice President and a one-year term (2017) as President.

Susan Buse (IBTTA 2008 President)

Susan Buse focuses on providing management consulting and business development services to clients in the toll road sector. Her practice includes research, AET conversion, feasibility studies and communication. In her 30 years of transportation experience, Ms. Buse was the senior finance executive at the North Texas Tollway Authority for more than 15 years and was responsible for all finance functions and financial planning activities. She implemented agency-wide financial processes as the operations tripled and directed multiple feasibility studies of new roadways. As CFO, Susan completed issuance of over $7 billion in debt using a complex mix of public finance instruments and loans. Susan continues to serve IBTTA in several capacities.

Mary Jane O'Meara (IBTTA 1999 President)

Mary Jane is the office leader in Boston and an associate vice president of HNTB Corporation. She is a collaborative, innovative senior transportation leader with a proven track record of leading and working with diverse groups, including city, state and federal transportation officials to accomplish complex goals. Her more than 25 years of experience includes two decades with the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), serving as operations manager and then director of the Tobin Memorial Bridge. Additionally, Mary Jane has always been a strong advocate for professional development of the industries of which she is involved, as well as her peers and support staff. She is a Past President and finance committee member of IBTTA and Past President and former advisory board member of the International Women’s Transportation Seminar.

Lisa Callahan (IBTTA 1997 President)

Lisa Callahan was IBTTA's first woman president. She served as the Director of Public and Employee Relations for the Kansas Turnpike Authority for 36 years. Specializing in creative thinking and strategic initiatives that supported the organization’s objectives, she was responsible for external and internal communications, employee programs, managing media relations, customer outreach and government relations. Today she is currently co-owner of Next Steps Corporate Wellness.