Victoria Sheehan
Victoria Sheehan is the Executive Director of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The Transportation Research Board (TRB) provides leadership in transportation improvements and innovation through trusted, timely, impartial, and evidence-based information exchange, research, and advice regarding all modes of transportation.
Sheehan came to the National Academies from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT), where she was commissioner for seven years. Responsible for an operating budget of over $650 million, she oversaw a staff of more than 1,600 employees representing diverse areas such as aeronautics, rail, transit, construction, operations, finance, and administration. Her team led the development of New Hampshire’s Ten-Year Transportation Plan, and Sheehan worked directly with the Governor, General Court, and Executive Council to ensure it would address the state’s growing needs.
Before joining the New Hampshire DOT, Sheehan spent 10 years at the MassDOT leading strategic planning and highway performance, managing the bridge consulting program, and overseeing an eight-year, $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program. Sheehan served as President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for 2020-2021 and has been an active board member in a range of other professional organizations. She holds a master’s degree in structural engineering and architecture from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.