Maryland transportation officials tap Fenner as DEI director

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) has named Kelly Fenner the department’s first director of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

A former MDOT MTA police captain, Fenner began her new job yesterday. She will advance DEI initiatives throughout MDOT MTA in service of employees and riders, department officials said in a press release.

Fenner returns to MDOT MTA after serving as the DEI director for the Baltimore County Police Department since 2020. In Baltimore County, she was credited with establishing partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, developing and teaching DEI curriculum and reviewing, revising and restructuring policies and procedures to ensure alignment with DEI strategies.

"Diversity, equity and inclusion are not new themes to MDOT MTA, but we cannot be satisfied with the status quo," said MDOT MTA Administrator Holly Arnold. "This is another important step in ensuring the diversity of our community is well represented at every level of our agency and that everyone feels welcome."

Fenner's appointment is part of the department's strategic plan — "Rebuilding Better: Committed to an Equitable Transit Future" — launched in September 2021. Her work will build on that of the department's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee created in October 2020, officials said.