PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently announced the appointment of Elisa Cunningham to the newly-created role of Chief Technology Officer. The move signifies SEPTA’s commitment to enhancing both customer and employee experiences through substantial investments in technology and digital improvements.
Reporting directly to SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie S. Richards, Cunningham will spearhead SEPTA’s Information Technology Department, comprising approximately 80 employees. Her responsibilities will include developing and implementing a long-term technology strategy ensuring system resilience and security.
Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., Chair of the SEPTA Board, expressed his confidence in Cunningham’s abilities, stating, “Elisa’s experience makes her the ideal candidate to take on this new role. Under her leadership, we will address technology as 21st-century infrastructure.”
Cunningham hails from Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), where she also served as Chief Technology Officer. During her tenure at Metrolink, Cunningham led a technological transformation across Southern California, including the acquisition of a multi-agency regional rail mobile ticketing application in support of the 2028 Olympic Games.
With over two decades of experience in the IT field, Cunningham has held key roles in various organizations including Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), L-3 Communications, and the City of Dallas.
SEPTA CEO Leslie S. Richards emphasized the importance of technology in improving the transit system, saying, “From trip planning to fare collection – safety and security to sustainability – technology plays a critical part in making our system more seamless, reliable, and accessible. I am confident Elisa will prioritize technology upgrades that will increase ridership.”
Cunningham expressed her excitement about the new role, stating, “I am looking forward to joining the team at SEPTA and ensuring the Authority is ready to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead. I am excited to work on initiatives that will further modernize the system and enhance the customer and employee experience.”
Cunningham holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Louisiana State University and an MBA in Information Systems from the University of Redlands.
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