Karen Hedlund

Karen Hedlund has spent most of her career as a legal advisor to federal, state, and local governments on the development and financing of infrastructure projects across the United States, including rail, transit, highways, airports, water and energy facilities. She brought that experience to the Federal Highway Administration as Chief Counsel and then to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) as Chief Counsel and Deputy Administrator. In the latter role she helped implement and provide oversight of the $10 billion intercity passenger rail program and the funding of improvements to the national freight rail system. Prior to joining the Department of Transportation, Hedlund served as a partner of the Nossaman LLP, advising state and local government clients on the use of public-private partnerships. Since stepping down from FRA, she has been involved in the development of major passenger rail projects, including the Northeast Corridor Gateway Program and the proposed high-performance rail project that will connect Seattle with Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia. She has also helped advance public transportation through her leadership with the American Public Transportation Association, serving as Co-Chair of its Commuter and High-Speed and Passenger Rail Legislative Subcommittee. Ms. Hedlund grew up and began her law career in Chicago, Illinois. She has an AB from Harvard University, and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren in Brooklyn, New York. She currently resides in Edwards, Colorado.