Meet The Wathen Group

People with a passion for transportation

Our expert team includes individuals who have dedicated entire careers to working inside transportation agencies — just like you. We range from general managers to chief operating officers, engineers to planners, and other subject matter experts enabling us to provide the depth and breadth required for our clients to reach their objectives.

We go to great lengths to ensure that the team proposed and selected to work on a project actually stays on the project—the team you are getting is the team that shows up on day one and through the project’s lifecycle. We aim to build a custom and integrated team from the beginning, uniquely suited to your organization’s needs. When needed, we may identify areas where specific additional subject matter experts may bring value to your organization.

This approach fosters trust, nurtures strong relationships, and drives successful outcomes.

Below are some of the talented individuals at The Wathen Group, showcasing the breadth and depth of experience we offer across multiple disciplines.

Deborah
Wathen Finn

President

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Chris
Augenstein

Planning, Technology, and Innovation

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James
Gallagher

Operations and Management

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Joan
McDonald

Infrastructure and Economic Development

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Pradip
Mistry

Senior Advisor, Transit Technology and Integration 

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James 
Redeker

Organizational Strategy and Transformation

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Rosemary
Sheridan

Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications and Research
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Kate
Peabody

Associate / Executive Coach

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Angie
van Wijk

Chief Administrator

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Stephanie
Finn

Strategy and Operations

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Are you interested in joining
The Wathen Group?

Our team is constantly expanding

We believe in work-life balance and learning from each other to build comprehensive and actionable solutions for our various clients. Are you interested in learning more about joining us?

Deborah Wathen Finn

Business Transformation and Market Positioning

Deborah Wathen Finn, President and Founder of The Wathen Group, is widely recognized for her passion for the transportation industry. Her leadership has been instrumental in developing TWG’s industry-recognized approach to organizational change and safety culture, providing expert counsel to transportation agencies facing critical capacity, safety, and operational challenges.

From the start of her career, Deborah has been driven by a commitment to public service and leaving organizations and communities better off. A pivotal early opportunity to co-create NJ TRANSIT cemented her dedication to an industry that transforms lives and connects communities.

Since then, Deborah has led transformative achievements throughout her career. At NJ TRANSIT, she spearheaded a cultural shift in Rail Operations during a challenging service startup, engaging frontline employees, building trust with union leadership, and launching innovative training programs like “Communicating with Competence and Care.” These efforts significantly improved service delivery, employee satisfaction, and customer experience, setting a new industry standard.

As General Manager of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in Western New York, Deborah led an organizational turnaround of the region’s light rail, bus, and paratransit systems. Her strategic planning and strong employee engagement initiatives, such as the expanded Transit Ambassador Program, enhanced communications, reduced grievances, and improved both safety and labor-management relationships.

Her career spans leadership roles across public agencies, global businesses, and startups, where she has consistently delivered customized strategies tailored to the unique needs and scale of each organization. A skilled facilitator, Deborah excels at team building, mediating differences, and guiding organizations to charter new initiatives or overcome complex challenges.

Deborah’s unwavering commitment to mentoring and collaboration underscores her belief in the transformative power of public service. She is dedicated to developing safety cultures, empowering frontline teams, and addressing strategic challenges, helping organizations thrive and deliver lasting impact for their communities.

Chris Augenstein

Planning, Technology, and Innovation

With an educational background in architecture, urban design, and city planning, it was a graduate school internship at the Metropolitan Transit Development Board (MTDB) in San Diego, CA that sparked Chris Augenstein’s passion for transportation – introducing him to the importance, value, and beauty of transportation systems and instilling a lifelong appreciation for how transportation connects people, shapes cities, and improves daily life.

Over the past 30 years, Chris has worked inside major multi-modal transportation authorities in California, most recently as Director of Planning and Programming at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). In this role, he served on regional bodies responsible for planning and delivering collaborative programs on a range of issues. Chris was also active in the International City Managers Association, where he supported Smart City initiatives, addressed VTA’s needs with emerging technologies, and contributed to the development of innovative transportation applications.

Chris remains passionate about exploring new ways to improve transportation, from making systems safer and more efficient to reimagining future modes of travel. While he values all forms of transportation, trains hold a special place for him due to their history as the first ‘modern’ mode—transforming the way humans connected, traded, and designed cities—and their immense potential as a sustainable option for moving people. He believes the future of transportation is full of exciting opportunities, driven by advancements in technology and smarter, more sustainable design.

Beyond his technical expertise, Chris takes great pride in mentoring colleagues and helping others grow. His commitment to collaboration and knowledge-sharing extends to his work with clients, where he thrives on solving challenges and developing forward-thinking solutions. His thoughtful, innovative approach makes him a trusted resource for organizations navigating the future of transportation with confidence and vision.

James Gallagher

Operations and Management

James Gallagher held leadership roles at various public transportation agencies overseeing all modes of public transportation ranging from planning to operations and is a highly accomplished Senior Operations & Management Executive with 40+ years in both the public and private sector transportation industry. James' broad range of experience extends to executive leadership, operations, management, and transit planning and development. His ability to lead organizations through complex challenges—whether it’s redesigning business processes, driving operational excellence, or influencing policy development—has made him a trusted voice in the field.

James believes the recruitment and development of the next cadre, and a continuous wave of well-trained and experienced managers in the transit industry as a top priority for the future. Throughout his career, he has championed major safety initiatives ranging from implementing programs to safety culture initiatives to addressing major risk profiles at one of the largest authorities in the U.S.

James’ particular areas of excellence include Strategic Planning; Organizational & Safety Culture Leadership; Redesigning Business Processes; Program Development; and Policy Development.

Joan McDonald

Infrastructure and Economic Development

Joan McDonald has 35 years of experience leading diverse organizations in New York State, Connecticut, and New York City. She offers a unique perspective in the administration and management of infrastructure and planning projects, the development of organizational and communications strategies and guidance on public finance. Ms. McDonald is a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC) and sits on the Policy Committee of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Future of the Interstate Highway System study.

Joan specializes in strategic planning, strategic management solutions, partnering, project facilitation, and conflict resolution. Through providing key research, conducting workshops and facilitating roundtable discussions, Joan has a proven track record in infrastructure and economic development leadership across public and private sectors to identify opportunities, develop solutions, and implement strategic plans.

Joan’s portfolio includes providing strategic advice and consulting to the City of Norwalk Redevelopment Authority in the advancement of the City’s Transit Oriented Development Plan. The City of Norwalk requested background material to outline the benefits and costs of transit-oriented development as well as a workshop for the members of the City Zoning Board and the City Planning Board.

In working with the Westchester County Association’s Smart Growth Initiative, Joan provides project management for the county’s ambitious initiative, the first in the nation’s Smart Cities ComPact, to bring a unified approach to smart growth including transportation, land use, technology, and broadband.

Pradip Mistry

Senior Advisor, Transit Technology and Integration

Pradip Mistry brings over three decades of leadership experience in engineering, R&D, product development, and program management, primarily from his tenure at Cubic Transportation Systems, where he played a pivotal role in delivering next-generation contactless fare payment systems built on open, scalable platforms. Like the rest of the TWG team, Pradip is deeply committed to developing customer-centered, future-ready transit solutions.

Most recently, he led the Customer Experience and Transition strategy for the MTA’s OMNY system in New York City—one of the most complex fare modernization efforts in North America. His work included guiding proposals and negotiations for OMNY’s integration with the MTA’s paratransit system and ensuring seamless customer transitions across diverse ridership needs.

At TWG, Pradip brings a strategic change management mindset to support clients in undertaking transformative technology improvements and system-wide advancements, including the replacement of legacy systems. His work emphasizes practical readiness, long-term sustainability, and delivering solutions that balance innovation, accessibility, and operational success.

James Redeker

Organizational Strategy and Transformation

James Redeker brings over 40 years of experience in public transportation and infrastructure to The Wathen Group. His journey began with a Master’s Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where an early opportunity at the New Jersey Department of Transportation introduced him to the world of public transit. James was among the first employees at NJ TRANSIT, where he embraced the organization’s vision to transform New Jersey’s bus and rail systems, marking the start of a career defined by innovation, collaboration, and a passion for making public transit work better for everyone.

During his time at NJ TRANSIT, James tackled some of the state’s most pressing transit challenges, including creating a cohesive zone-based fare system to replace an uncoordinated network of over 400,000 fare combinations. He then went on to lead transformative projects as Commissioner of Transportation for the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), including the design, construction, and launch of the CTrail Hartford Line—a high-speed rail service connecting New Haven, CT, to Springfield, MA. This project not only restored reliable rail service to the region but also spurred over $400 million in transit-oriented development around new and upgraded stations.

For James, the most meaningful moments of his career are rooted in the human impact of transportation. From leading initiatives like ADA paratransit in New Jersey to witnessing how access to transit can transform lives, he has seen firsthand the power of public transportation to foster independence and improve quality of life. His dedication to cultivating a safety-focused and customer-centered workforce has been a hallmark of his leadership, and he remains passionate about mentoring and supporting teams to achieve extraordinary results.

James’s passion for public service remains as strong as ever. He continues to dedicate his expertise to addressing the transportation industry’s most critical challenges, including workforce development, funding, infrastructure improvements, and customer satisfaction. With his thoughtful, collaborative approach, James is committed to helping clients navigate complex problems and deliver solutions that enhance transit systems for generations to come.

Rosemary Sheridan

Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications and Research

Rose Sheridan is a strategic marketing and communications expert with deep experience in the public transportation and nonprofit sectors. She brings extensive expertise in market research, organizational assessment, and the design of programs that support transformational change.

Most recently, Rose served as Vice President of Communications and Marketing at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), where she led industry-wide messaging and elevated key transit priorities across members, media, and the public. In that role, she collaborated with public transportation organizations across North America and internationally to shape transit’s public narrative and broaden its reach.

At TWG, Rose leads the firm’s peer review and benchmarking practice, bringing a strategic lens to communications, organizational positioning, and industry alignment.

Kate Peabody

Associate / Executive Coach

As a project lead and executive coach at The Wathen Group, Kate Peabody brings over nine years of coaching experience and a decade in Fortune 500 environments. An International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach (ICF PCC) and former Director of Communications, Kate draws on extensive experience in engineering, construction, and government consulting. She guides projects, facilitates executive development, and optimizes employee communications and engagement, aligning teams and individuals with strategic business goals and workforce well-being. Kate holds an MBA from the University of Denver and a BA in Communication from Santa Clara University.

As someone who has been fascinated by the idea of “future cities” since watching The Jetsons cartoon, Kate is passionate about reimagining the future of cities through integrated transit. Her vision for transformation includes innovative public/private partnerships that completely reinvent how we get around.

She champions all modes and agencies working together to elevate both the employee and customer experience, drive sustainable economic impact, and foster stronger connections between people, jobs, and essential resources like education, healthy food, and community experiences. Ultimately, she wants an industry that people are not only excited to work in, but can also afford to live a vibrant life where they work.

Kate’s areas of expertise include executive coaching, employee engagement, communication, facilitation and project management.

Angie van Wijk

Chief Administrator

Angie plays a key role supporting both our internal team and the clients we serve. With a keen eye for detail and a strong commitment to excellence, she provides essential administrative and operational support allowing the team to focus on delivering meaningful change for transportation agencies.

Her journey into the transit field began with an opportunity at The Wathen Group. What started as a practical decision soon blossomed into a deeply fulfilling career. She has embraced the challenges and opportunities within transportation with enthusiasm and remains committed to making positive contributions while continuing to grow professionally. Among her career achievements, she takes great pride in being part of successful projects and contributing to the success of the company. The opportunity to play a role in these accomplishments has been incredibly rewarding and continues to drive her passion for the field.

When it comes to transportation, trains are Angie’s favorite mode – offering a unique blend of comfort and scenic enjoyment making longer distance travel pleasant and memorable. One train in particular that stands out is the legendary Orient Express, which remains a top item on her bucket list.

Stephanie Finn

Strategy and Operations

In her role at The Wathen Group, Stephanie plays a pivotal role in guiding and enhancing projects to better serve clients and the industry. She is dedicated to helping The Wathen Group lead the way in the transportation industry, ensuring that every project not only meets but exceeds client expectations.

Stephanie Finn serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at The Wathen Group. As a valued member since 2016, Stephanie plays a pivotal role in guiding and enhancing projects to better serve the public transit industry. The Wathen Group follows a people-first approach, collaborating closely with clients across North America to provide them with effective tools for implementing sustainable, long-term strategies. From safety culture and frontline employee engagement programs to implementation programs designed to build capacity, the team has been honing this approach for years -- which Stephanie has been a key driver of alongside her colleagues who have decades of experience leading agencies from within.

A graduate of Colby College, Stephanie holds a major in International Studies and a concentration in Economic Development, which reflects her commitment to making a positive impact on a global scale. With her dynamic skill set and wealth of experience across various sectors, Stephanie continues to play an integral role in driving success and innovation within The Wathen Group and beyond.