Job history: Stephanie joined the National Transportation Safety Board in 1997 as a student intern in the board's Office of Highway Safety. From 2001-2003 she served as a staff assistant in the chairman's office. After serving in various positions within the NTSB's Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications, she became a transportation safety specialist. For more than 20 years as a safety specialist, Stephanie promoted the NTSB's Most Wanted List, safety recommendations issued to the states and managed the agency's advocacy activities on its social media channels.

Why she's influential as a leader: Stephanie plays a pivotal role in the success of the NTSB's Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials (RPH) investigations. As the hearing officer for the 2023 investigative hearing into the Norfolk Southern Railway train derailment and hazardous materials release in East Palestine, Ohio, her leadership was instrumental in uncovering critical findings into the incident. The findings directly informed safety recommendations designed to prevent similar events in the future.

Stephanie is a steadfast advocate for transportation safety across all modes. In her recent capacity as deputy director of RPH, she effectively shared her extensive institutional knowledge with incoming leadership, contributing to continuity and strategic direction. Her expertise in safe systems in transportation has been a guiding force in advancing the office's efforts toward a more comprehensive safety management systems framework for rail safety. She continues to leverage her prior experience to improve safety communications and promote best practices in railroad, pipeline and hazardous materials operations nationwide.