Susan H. Sarch (invited) is the former vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company, where she served as the railroad’s chief legal officer. In that role, she advised Metro-North on legal and regulatory matters arising from its commuter rail operations and represented the railroad in litigation and other proceedings.

Annette Simelaro (invited) serves as the general counsel and director of Legal Services for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). She leads a high-performing team responsible for providing legal guidance, including contract negotiation and drafting, litigation and claims management, internal and external investigations, regulatory compliance, policy development, and open records responses.  

Before joining GDOT, Annette practiced law in the private sector and at the Office of the Georgia Attorney General. She earned her JD from Emory University School of Law and her BA from Vassar College.