In this edition of Leadership Spotlight, LTAP highlights Ashley Moran AICP, MPO Manager of Planning and Programming at the Acadiana Planning Commission. Ashley is a transportation planning professional who brings both technical precision and community-centered leadership to her role. With a focus on data-driven decision-making, interagency collaboration, and capacity building at the local level, Ashley’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to advancing transportation safety, efficiency, and equity throughout the Acadiana region.
With over 15 years of experience in transportation planning and a professional certification since 2007, Ashley leads regional initiatives focused on long-range planning, safety, and project implementation. Before joining the Planning Commission, she worked in the Traffic and Transportation Department at Lafayette Consolidated Government, where she gained valuable experience in urban traffic operations and interagency coordination. Ashley’s leadership has earned national recognition, including the AASHTO Environmental Excellence Award and the National Roadway Safety Award. Her work reflects a strong commitment to public service, collaboration, and improving transportation systems across Acadiana.
What is your definition of leadership?
I’m a strong believer in servant-leadership. By serving as a resource for assistance and empowering staff and community members, people feel invested and excited about making improvements to their community. Leaders should always be available to step in and help out, no matter how small the task, to make sure that the job gets done.
What other previous jobs or community roles did you have that shaped your leadership skills?
Working in Lafayette Consolidated Government’s Traffic and Transportation department provided me with the training and skills to bring a divergent group of staff and stakeholders together for a common goal.
In any of your past and present leadership roles, what has been the most challenging task you have had to overcome?
Developing Local Road Safety Plans for all eight parishes in the Acadiana Regional Transportation Safety Coalition. By partnering with LTAP and the Local Road Safety Program, we were able to showcase the wonderful resources that Louisiana has available for safety improvements to our local governments. We didn’t develop a plan to sit on a shelf; we developed projects for funding and implementation of safety improvements in all eight parishes.
Who do you see as your model leader? Why?
My last two supervisors, Melanie Bordelon and Sara Gary. They exemplify servant-leadership through hard work, loyalty and empowerment through delegation. I would not be here without them!
If you could implement one major improvement or innovation across all Louisiana municipalities, what would it be?
The conversion of local government asset and project data into GIS files. It is such an important resource in the decision making process for elected officials and federal funding agencies.
What advice would you give to young professionals entering public service or engineering?
Yes, I love providing training and assistance to our young community members. The best thing I can recommend to anyone is learn GIS and how it fits into your role. The ability to analyze data geospatially is incredibly helpful for project development. It also allows for the development of Virtual Public Engagement platforms, such as dashboards and StoryMaps, which are amazing resources for showing the public the investments that your local government is making in the community.
Credits:
Ashley Moran, MPO Manager, Acadiana Planning Commission Louisiana LTAP Haley Ortiz LTRC