Katie Caskey Named Transportation Strategic Communications Director

August 26, 2024

Katie Caskey, AICP

Katie Caskey, AICP, has been promoted to serve as HDR's transportation strategic communications director.

In this role, Caskey will be responsible for the continued growth, development and delivery of the 180-member transportation strategic communications practice within HDR's 250-member program serving clients in all infrastructure markets. She will work in partnership with strategic communications leadership across HDR to drive innovation and expand technical capabilities, geographic service areas and workforce development opportunities.

Caskey will also work closely with the firm's global market and area leadership to identify client and project opportunities where HDR can provide value-added services during the capital planning process and throughout the project development life cycle.

"Katie understands the importance of communication and how successful stakeholder engagement can inform key infrastructure decisions, build critical support and lead to improved mobility for all," said HDR's Transportation Advisory Services Director Janet González Tudor. "Her experience combined with her proven ability to innovate provides a strong foundation for continued growth of our strategic communications practice in response to the evolution and transformation of our dynamic infrastructure markets."

Caskey most recently served as senior strategic communications consultant in HDR's Minneapolis office. She has developed and led successful public engagement activities for statewide plans and studies across the upper Midwest, including for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, North Dakota Department of Transportation and South Dakota Department of Transportation. Additionally, in partnership with MnDOT, Caskey led the development of the state's first comprehensive messaging and engagement guidance for connected automated vehicles, which received federal- and state-level recognition.

She will continue to identify and advocate for the development and use of new tools and resources to support technical excellence in stakeholder communication and engagement. In 2024, she was awarded an HDR fellowship to continue her research in community outreach compensation methods to remove barriers and drive better community-wide engagement.

"From the integration of new technology like electrification and automation to improving the capacity and safety of our transportation systems, proactive and strategic outreach programs are a critical element in today's complex environment," Caskey said. "I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues, our clients and communities to move the needle on how successful and inclusive stakeholder engagement can drive efficient and effective program delivery."