Monica Tellez-Fowler is the President/CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), the regional mobility organization providing service to Columbus and the Central Ohio region. Since joining COTA in March 2023, she has served as Chief Operating Officer before she was promoted to Deputy CEO in May 2023. In May 2024, she became COTA’s new President/CEO, after a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees.
During her time at COTA, Monica successfully negotiated an industry-leading labor contract with Transport Workers Union 208, implemented and oversaw the organization’s transformative Paid Family Leave Policy, and led improvements to transit service following a national workforce shortage. She also leads COTA in the LinkUS Mobility Initiative, which is the region’s mobility plan to bring rapid transit solutions and transportation options to accommodate major population growth in Central Ohio.