Making a Difference

Remember that saying, “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person” Jan Walden, NJ TRANSIT Assistant Executive Director, Department of Diversity Programs, is that “busy person,” and she spends every day getting something done to advance diversity, including embracing civil rights within her workplace and beyond to surrounding communities.

“I am more than lucky to be working in an area – civil rights – that I have been so committed to all my life,” says Jan. “NJ TRANSIT has given me an incredible opportunity to make things better for women and minorities; and they actually pay me to do it!”

For 25 years, Jan has worked for the statewide transportation corporation, always in roles that have allowed her to be involved with small business development, as well as establishing and managing diversified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and Equal Employment Opportu­nities programs.

During her distinguished career, she has been instrumental in helping NJ TRANSIT attain its goal of 25%–35% of many contracts going to small, minority and women-owned businesses, which has translated into millions of dollars flowing back into the small business community.

Under her leadership, NJ TRANSIT has consistently won local, regional and national awards for contracting to small, minority and female-owned firms. Among those who have presented her with awards are President Reagan for NJ TRANSIT’s Outstanding Minority Business Program and President George Bush Sr., during the annual Minority Enterprise Development Program. In October of 2006, Executive Director of NJ TRANSIT George Warrington, told Jan that his “vision” for the company was to establish the NJ TRANSIT Department of Diversity Programs.

Realizing the importance of maintaining and growing diversity inside and outside of the workplace, its mission would be to involve disadvantaged, small, women and minority-owned business enterprises to the maximum extent in all of NJ TRANSIT’s procurement and contracting activities to ‘level the playing field.’

Mr. Warrington said he also wanted to further solidify NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to equality and diversity within their own workforce, and asked Jan to assume the department’s leadership, reporting directly to him – a role she proudly accepted.

Civil rights actually started with the transportation industry, when Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. Prominently displayed in Jan’s office are the following words describing Rosa: “No, she said softly...” Jan models her management style after those words as she implements an aggressive plan to include diversity at every level of NJ TRANSIT.

“NJ TRANSIT is more than a workplace,” Jan said. “It includes our equipment, our ridership, our stations, as well as our hiring and contract activities. We must touch each of these points with diversity. NJ TRANSIT is committed to that. I am also committed to that. Women and minorities are still terribly underrepresented professionally in our society.”

Jan does not leave her commitment to civil rights at her office door. Her dedication to social change has led her to serve on boards and advisory committees of many regional and national organizations. One of her favorites is the CREST Community Development Corporation, which was created by the International Youth Organization, a 25-year old organization located in Newark. This organization assists youth by providing a place for them to go and have a meal, to get help with their education and to learn methods to improve their home lives. It is also building new homes for Newark’s families and its neighborhoods. Another favorite is Habitat for Humanity, where Jan and her family have given many hours of their time building homes for the less fortunate.

Jan’s strong character and deep faith served her well when, two years ago, her husband of thirty years died suddenly at age fifty-five. “I was utterly devastated,” says Jan. “It sounds crazy, but one of the main things that kept me going was my commitment to my job, my desire to make a difference. I truly believe that God puts us on this earth for a reason, that we have something we are supposed to accomplish during our time here.”

Family is as important to Jan as her work and community involvement. “I am blessed to still have both my parents, as well as two fantastic adult children,” she says with a bright smile. “I am so proud of both Cheron and Janald.”

Cheron has earned her Masters in Mass Media Production and Communications from The New School University in New York. She currently produces commercials for Concept TV of New Jersey. Janald, who is currently employed by Noble Construction Company, will attend Rutgers University this fall in pursuit of a Masters in Business Administration.

“When I see what fine people they have grown to be, I realize my husband and I did a great job as parents; and at the end of the day, family is everything.”

When asked what advice she might offer women today as they face race, gender or age discrimination, Jan replied, “Speak up for your rights. Be persistent. You can make changes for yourself and for others. And, take the time to have a family. You really can have both.”SPW