MARCH 2026

Danielle Cruickshank
Principal Transport Planner
Stantec

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I completed my studies at Monash University in Melbourne which led to a graduate position at VicRoads. After 3 years I moved out of the public sector and out of Melbourne and went into consulting in Sydney. I had a career break around 5 years later to focus on family. I returned to Melbourne, and the industry, in 2020, at a time when everybody was learning how to manage in a new COVID world. I have now been with Stantec for five years.

What is your current involvement with the Transport Professionals Association (TPA)?

I have been an individual member for the last five years and regularly attend online webinars and in-person events. Stantec is also a corporate sponsor so as a team we get to benefit from events and training, as well as opportunities to share our own experiences and knowledge.
 

How has your involvement as a member/volunteer grown with Transport Professionals Association (TPA)?

I first became aware of TPA (then AITPM) during my time in Sydney, attending events and networking with colleagues. I ended up serving as a committee member of the NSW branch for two years, organising events and giving back to the industry. I made some great connections and got an appreciation for the various parts of our industry, which was valuable in my early career. When I returned to the industry in 2020, it was important for me to become a member again as I knew it would be a great source of industry knowledge as well as a way to connect with others. In one of the positives of the pandemic, there was now a wealth of online resources and recordings available due to the move online for training and events, so I was spoiled by the materials available for getting back up to speed.

What motivates you to volunteer or involve yourself with TPA? How has your involvement with TPA benefited you personally and professionally?

I've found my involvement with TPA to be incredibly rewarding, especially in how they engage with the industry. Their efforts to bring professionals together, encourage the exchange of ideas, and address emerging challenges have provided me with valuable insights and perspectives. They are quick to bring hot topics up for discussion, such as changes to legislation or learnings from major transport developments, and also welcome ideas on other topics of interest to share at future events.  

Have you gained any skills whilst being involved with TPA? How have these skills influenced your career or shaped the way you view the industry? What are your plans for the future?

Being a committee member helped me with my communication and networking skills and gave me an understanding of the work that goes into coordinating industry events. I learned how to work in a team of very different people from different professional backgrounds but all with something valuable to bring to the industry. I also improved my confidence by putting myself out of my comfort zone. These skills continue to be useful in my work today. In the future, I would like to present at the national conference and continue to represent Stantec at in-person events.

What would you say to transport professionals considering getting involved with TPA? Do you have any words of wisdom for Emerging Professionals starting out in the industry?

If you think you may like to get involved with TPA, then I would say go for it. There are many ways to be involved, either by attending technical in-person events, social meet-ups, or joining a committee. For emerging professionals, I would suggest getting involved early and not to wait until you feel “senior enough.” If you’re curious, that’s enough. The connections you make and the perspectives you gain through TPA can lead you down a path you may least expect. Plus, it’s great to be around likeminded individuals who share a similar passion for transport.