Leigh Ann Von Hagen Named VTC Executive Director

The Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC) at Rutgers University proudly announces Leigh Ann Von Hagen as its new Executive Director.

Leigh Ann, a licensed professional planner, brings over 20 years of experience with VTC, where she has earned recognition as a leader in transportation and land use planning, environmental planning, and public health. She transitions from her role as Managing Director of the Active Transportation Group, where she led both the NJDOT Safe Routes to School Resource Center and the NJDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center. Her work consistently focuses on creating inclusive, healthy communities that serve people of all ages and abilities through research, education, and strategic partnerships. She has recently tackled critical issues in active transportation, including micromobility, pedestrian safety, and the intersection of transportation and public health.

Reflecting on her career with VTC, Leigh Ann remarked, “Twenty years ago, I joined VTC to work on bicycle and pedestrian projects, and I seized the opportunity to pursue my passion for urban planning and research. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of leading impactful research and initiatives that have driven significant policy and practice changes. As Executive Director, I remain committed to advancing safety, promoting health and equity, and enhancing access through research, education, training, and community engagement. I deeply appreciate the leadership of my predecessors, Jon Carnegie and Martin Robins, and I look forward to building on VTC’s legacy of innovation.”

Robert Noland, Ph.D., VTC Director, highlighted her accomplishments, noting, “Leigh Ann has been instrumental in securing and managing substantial grant funding, leading multidisciplinary research teams, publishing impactful reports and journal articles, and guiding the next generation of planners through teaching and training programs. We are excited about this new chapter under her leadership and confident about the future of VTC under her capable leadership.”