Bashan McLeod
Engineer / Wedding Planner
Glen Burnie,MD
Summary
Experienced Transportation Engineer specializing in public information messaging and cross-functional collaboration. Developed communication strategies and managed complex projects to enhance stakeholder engagement and ensure compliance with state regulations. Translated technical concepts into accessible language, fostering community trust and understanding.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Transportation Engineer III
Maryland State Highway Administration
Hanover, MD
02.2023 - Current
- Supported incident and emergency response operations by developing and coordinating Freeway Incident Traffic Management (FITM) plans, collaborating with local agencies to manage detours and maintain traffic flow, and ensuring timely, accurate public communication during roadway closures.
- Implemented strategies to reduce delays caused by accidents or inclement weather conditions.
- Evaluated transportation, traffic control devices and lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
- Reviewed development plans to determine potential traffic impact.
- Designed calculations and cost estimations for transportation projects.
- Translate technical traffic operations, construction impacts, and safety initiatives into accessible language suitable for public communication channels.
- Develop and deliver clear, concise messaging to internal leadership, external partners, and public audiences regarding statewide transportation initiatives.
- Prepare executive-level presentations, briefing materials, and stakeholder-facing communications aligned with SHA standards.
- Collaborate with consultants and internal teams to ensure consistency and accuracy of published materials.
- Oversee program reporting and performance tracking, aligning messaging with measurable program outcomes.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to ensure project alignment and communication.
- Facilitated stakeholder meetings to gather input and address concerns efficiently.
- Managed project budgets, ensuring compliance with state financial guidelines.
- Managed multiple projects with competing deadlines to ensure timely completion and adherence to project specifications.
- Developed and maintained project plans, timelines, and budgets.
- Built and established strong partnerships with teams, vendors and contractors.
- Monitored progress of each project to ensure timely delivery of deliverables in accordance with established quality standards.
- Maintained records of all documents related to each project including specifications, change orders, invoices.
- Led meetings with internal team members, consultants and contractors.
- Guided team members on specific tasks and responsibilities.
- Managed contracts with vendors and suppliers by assigning tasks and communicating expected deliverables.
- Communicated effectively with stakeholders to ensure project goals are met on time and within budget.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and technologies.
- Support real-time coordination across divisions during incidents, weather events, and high-impact roadway operations.
- Supervised repair and maintenance of transportation systems.
- Prepared schedules, project budgets and specifications for materials and labor.
- Coordinated with contractors, utility companies, and government agencies to implement projects.
- Investigated traffic problems and suggested ways to improve traffic flow and safety.
- Evaluated transportation systems and traffic control devices to determine need for modification.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Co-Owner & Travel Advisor
Black Love Travels
Baltimore, Maryland
01.2023 - Current
- Designed personalized travel itineraries that aligned with clients' preferences, increasing satisfaction.
- Facilitated client-facing communication to ensure smooth coordination during time-sensitive travel scenarios.
- Coordinated logistics for group travel events and retreats nationwide.
- Collaborated with tourism boards and vendors to align messaging and promotional efforts.
- Crafted marketing and promotional messaging that enhanced client engagement for destination experiences and group travel campaigns.
- Created marketing campaigns to promote products and services.
- Managed social media accounts to enhance brand visibility and engagement.
- Maintained CRM systems and managed digital communication workflows for prospective and confirmed clients.
- Collaborated with other co-owners on strategic decisions related to the company's growth plan.
- Directed marketing and advertising strategies to increase brand awareness and customer engagement.
- Developed plans for expanding business operations into new markets domestically and internationally.
Owner & Lead Coordinator
EventBay
Glen Burnie, MD
01.2018 - Current
- Established and expanded EventBay’s brand voice and digital footprint, increasing social media following from fewer than 200 to nearly 12,000 through intentional messaging, community management, and strategic growth campaigns.
- Oversaw marketing strategies to promote upcoming events and attract attendees.
- Plan and execute 20+ events annually, demonstrating strong time management and multi-project coordination.
- Coordinated logistics for events, overseeing setup and breakdown processes to ensure seamless execution.
- Trained and mentored staff on best practices for event execution.
- Collaborated with clients to finalize event details and ensure satisfaction.
- Designed budgets and financial plans for various event types and scales.
- Tracked engagement metrics to inform content decisions, optimizing reach and audience growth.
- Adapt trends and seasonal content to align with business marketing strategy and audience interests.
- Write compelling captions, promotional materials, and client communications tailored to target audiences.
- Respond professionally to client inquiries and community engagement messages, maintaining high brand reputation.
- Promoted business on social media platforms to maximize brand identity and generate revenue.
- Created marketing campaigns to attract new customers.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Conducted initial consultation with clients to discuss wedding details, venue options and other logistics to understand vision and budget.
- Negotiated prices with suppliers, inspected venues and selected vendors to meet couple expectations.
- Coordinated with participating vendors during event planning.
- Managed event logistics and operations.
- Coordinated schedules and timelines for events.
- Performed event coordination for larger parties and gatherings.
Outreach Subcommittee Chair
Maryland Quality Initiative (MdQI)
Hanover, MD
01.2023 - 12.2025
- Executed outreach activities that raised awareness of organization's mission and services.
- Developed youth outreach programs for children in the community.
- Established partnerships with local schools to strengthen youth outreach initiatives.
- Collaborated with academic and industry partners to expand digital engagement and event participation.
- Created and scheduled social media content to enhance visibility of student programs, competitions, and networking events.
- Designed promotional graphics and drafted digital copy aligned with organizational brand standards.
- Managed website updates to ensure timely, accurate, and accessible information.
- Provided guidance on strategic planning initiatives for long-term growth opportunities.
- Assisted in the recruitment process for new team members, including interviewing prospective candidates.
- Cultivated programs for outreach and marketing, website development and services.
- Maintained impartiality and objectivity during meetings and decision-making.
- Planned and oversaw meetings in accordance with governing documents.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Communicated business performance, forecasts and strategies to investors and shareholders.
- Led recruitment and development of strategic alliances to maximize utilization of existing talent and capabilities.
Technology Chair
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Baltimore, MD
01.2021 - 12.2024
- Managed digital platforms and communication tools, improving engagement for 200+ member organization.
- Conducted technology trainings and ensured compliance with organizational digital standards.
- Strengthened cybersecurity and data integrity practices aligned with governance policies.
- Led strategic planning sessions for community outreach programs.
- Oversaw committee activities, ensuring alignment with sorority goals and objectives.
- Managed communication strategies to promote sorority events and initiatives.
- Managed communication between the Board of Directors and executive staff members.
- Advocated for social justice issues through awareness campaigns and educational forums.
- Developed and implemented social media strategies, increasing brand visibility and community interaction.
- Created engaging content for multiple platforms including Facebook and Instagram.
- Managed daily social media operations and community interactions effectively.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams on marketing campaigns and promotions.
- Analyzed audience insights to inform content creation and platform strategies.
- Monitored trends in social media tools and applications for best practices.
- Implemented measures to ensure consistent brand voice across all channels.
- Created engaging content for multiple social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
- Managed the daily operations of all assigned social media accounts.
- Tracked social media metrics to analyze audience growth and inform future content strategies.
- Prepared monthly calendar to manage online content across multiple platforms.
- Planned and oversaw meetings in accordance with governing documents.
- Maintained impartiality and objectivity during meetings and decision-making.
- Analyzed industry trends and tracked competitor activities to inform decision making.
- Cultivated strong corporate image and identity with clear branding.
- Built and strengthened industry partnerships to improve product placements, amplify coverage and maximize effectiveness of marketing strategies.
- Oversaw team of communications and media relations professionals with focus on achieving PR results.
Website & Branding Manager
Maryland Quality Initiative (MdQI)
Hanover, Maryland
05.2019 - 02.2024
- Optimized website content for messaging clarity, accessibility compliance, and consistent branding to enhance user engagement.
- Developed brand strategies to enhance Maryland Quality Initiative’s visibility and engagement.
- Developed compelling marketing content that aligned with organizational values to strengthen brand identity.
- Managed social media campaigns to promote programs and initiatives effectively.
- Coordinated drafting of email campaigns and promotional outreach materials to drive audience engagement.
- Monitored engagement and improved user experience through content updates.
- Conducted market research to identify trends and opportunities for brand positioning.
Transportation Engineer II
Maryland State Highway Administration
Hanover, MD
09.2021 - 01.2023
- Designed transportation infrastructure plans for state highway projects.
- Provided technical assistance on a variety of transportation engineering topics.
- Collaborated with local agencies on transportation initiatives and projects.
- Coordinated interdepartmental activities for planning and design projects.
- Led communication and outreach initiatives for Maryland’s Connected & Automated Vehicle (CAV) programs.
- Created presentations, educational materials, and public-facing content that engaged 250+ students and stakeholders.
- Facilitated cross-agency collaboration to ensure unified messaging across technical and non-technical audiences.
- Supported training sessions and workshops, strengthening staff understanding of emerging transportation technologies.
- Evaluated outreach engagement to enhance clarity and effectiveness of communication efforts.
- Prepared schedules, project budgets and specifications for materials and labor.
- Supervised repair and maintenance of transportation systems.
- Investigated traffic problems and suggested ways to improve traffic flow and safety.
- Evaluated transportation systems and traffic control devices to determine need for modification.
Rotational Engineer
KCI Technologies
Sparks Glencoe, MD
08.2017 - 09.2018
- Reviewed technical drawings developed by CAD technicians and drafters.
- Developed positive working relationships with stakeholders to effectively coordinate work activities.
- Developed cost estimates and project specifications for proposals.
- Provided input to theteam lead regarding areas for process and procedural improvement.
- Developed expertise across multiple engineering disciplines by rotating through departments specializing in civil, transportation, traffic, structures, mechanical, and water/wastewater projects.
- Designed and prepared construction drawings for a range of infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
- Gained hands-on experience in road and bridge design, utilities, and public sector projects, contributing to the planning and execution of key engineering solutions.
- Enhanced technical proficiency in MicroStation, AutoCAD, and Revit, while leveraging analytical and communication skills to support cross-functional engineering teams.
- Strengthened problem-solving and project management skills through multidisciplinary assignments, broadening industry knowledge, and fostering collaboration across engineering sectors.
- Performed complex calculations to analyze and optimize engineering processes.
- Participated in formal internal design reviews of proposed products and components.
NASA Fellow
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD
10.2014 - 07.2017
- Contributed to research activities by providing specialist input based on professional expertise, practice, experience, and qualifications.
- Collaborated with team to optimize workflow and achieve objectives.
- Networked and built strong presence with peers to facilitate professional relationships.
- Applied research technique to determine effectiveness of viral disease interventions.
- Led multiple research projects focused on atmospheric science, climate analysis, and satellite applications, ensuring technical integrity and mission success.
- Developed a comprehensive weather analysis study in Ghana, West Africa, to assess climate conditions and their impact on malaria spread, providing valuable data for public health and meteorological research.
- Conducted statistical testing and data modeling, presenting research findings at All Nations University in Accra, Ghana, to advance understanding of weather patterns and microscale meteorology.
- Trained 50 faculty students in scientific analysis techniques, enhancing their capability to interpret weather simulations and satellite data for academic and applied research.
- Presented research at the 5th Annual International Conference on Space Science and Satellite Technology Applications as an International Speaker, contributing to global discussions on satellite-based climate studies.
- Researched and developed strategies to maximize the impact of satellite observations in climate monitoring, weather prediction, and atmospheric composition analysis, strengthening the integration of space technology in environmental science.
- Devised and deployed predictive models using machine learning algorithms to drive business decisions.
- Developed polished visualizations to share results of data analyses.
- Analyzed large datasets to identify trends and patterns in customer behaviors.
- Leveraged mathematical techniques to develop engineering and scientific solutions.
Education
M.Eng - Civil Engineering
Morgan State University
Baltimore05.2017
B.S. - Transportation Systems Engineering
Morgan State University
Baltimore12.2014
Skills
- Cross-Functional Project Coordination
- Performance Metrics
- Data Analysis
- Emergency & Incident Response Support
- Technical Writing
- Brand Voice & Identity
- Public Messaging
- Social Media Strategy
- Content Creation
- Social Media Content Creation
- Digital Media
- Social Media Oversight
- Outreach Strategy
- Community Engagement
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft Office
- Organizational Skills
- Strategic Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Executive Communications
- Brand Management
- Online Marketing & Advertising
- Public Communication
- Public Transport Planning
Awards
- Leading Women Under 40, The Daily Record, 2025
- Cohort Selectee, Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business, 2026
Certification
- Certified Wedding and Event Planner, CWPS (2025)
- Travel Advisor IATA/CLIA License (2023)
- Wedding MBA Certification (2025)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Transportation Engineer III
Maryland State Highway Administration
02.2023 - Current
Co-Owner & Travel Advisor
Black Love Travels
01.2023 - Current
Outreach Subcommittee Chair
Maryland Quality Initiative (MdQI)
01.2023 - 12.2025
Transportation Engineer II
Maryland State Highway Administration
09.2021 - 01.2023
Technology Chair
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
01.2021 - 12.2024
Website & Branding Manager
Maryland Quality Initiative (MdQI)
05.2019 - 02.2024
Owner & Lead Coordinator
EventBay
01.2018 - Current
Rotational Engineer
KCI Technologies
08.2017 - 09.2018
NASA Fellow
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
10.2014 - 07.2017
M.Eng - Civil Engineering
Morgan State University
B.S. - Transportation Systems Engineering
Morgan State University