Sound Transit names leader for economic development and civil rights

Sound Transit has announced that Daphne Cross will assume the role of Chief Economic Development and Civil Rights Officer. In this position, she will continue to lead the Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion department, where she had been Acting Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer over the past year.

Cross has more than two decades of experience at Sound Transit and brings a wealth of institutional and practical knowledge to the role. During her tenure with the agency, she’s held positions in Board Administration, the CEO’s Office, Small Business and Labor Compliance, and Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion. Most recently, before taking the acting role leading Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion, Cross served as the agency’s Director of Inclusive Culture.

Under the direct guidance of Sound Transit’s CEO, Cross will develop strategies, design programs and work with various external organizations and community partners to ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion principles are embedded throughout the agency. She will serve as a member of the CEO cabinet, which uniquely positions her to directly partner and support the CEO and the executive leadership team. And as the agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Title VI, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) officer, she is also responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, safeguarding the agency’s commitment to fairness and inclusion.

“Ensuring equal and ample opportunity is a critical facet of how Sound Transit does business,” said CEO Dow Constantine. “Daphne’s demonstrated commitment to Sound Transit’s values, the people on our team, and the issues in her portfolio make her an outstanding choice to join the agency’s leadership.”

“As a native Seattleite, with longstanding ties to communities throughout the region, I am both humbled and ready to officially get to work,” said Cross. “We’re working on the nation’s largest capital expansion project, focusing on delivering an excellent experience for our passengers, and we remain committed to removing barriers, building capacity and creating opportunities. So, I’m thrilled to continue the work during what is a very exciting time for the region.”

Sound Transit builds and operates regional transit services for growing urban areas of Washington’s Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties. The district comprises more than 50 cities and more than 40 percent of the state’s residents, who have authorized the most ambitious transit expansion in the nation.

Sound Transit’s most recent Link light rail extension opened to Downtown Redmond on May 10 and will be followed by connections across Lake Washington this winter, and to Federal Way in 2026.