Lynsey Heffernan
About Lynsey Heffernan
Lynsey Heffernan is the Assistant General Manager for Policy & Transit Planning at MBTA, with a background in law and public administration, and a strong focus on policy reform and youth services.
Current Role at MBTA
Lynsey Heffernan serves as the Assistant General Manager for Policy & Transit Planning at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). She has been in this role since 2021, bringing her extensive experience in policy and strategic planning to the organization. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Heffernan focuses on developing and implementing transit policies aimed at improving public transportation systems across the region.
Previous Roles at MBTA
Before her current role, Lynsey Heffernan worked as the Deputy Director of Policy and Strategic Planning at MBTA from 2019 to 2021. During her two-year tenure in Greater Boston, she contributed significantly to strategic initiatives and policy development aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the transit system.
Experience in Youth Services
Lynsey Heffernan has a noteworthy background in youth services. She served as the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative State Coordinator at the Department of Youth Services from 2015 to 2019. Prior to that, she was the Detention Reform Specialist from 2013 to 2015. In these roles, Heffernan focused on improving outcomes for young people in the juvenile justice system, pushing for reforms that emphasized alternatives to detention.
Legal Career
From 2006 to 2013, Lynsey Heffernan worked as a Staff Attorney at the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Worcester, Massachusetts. Over her seven-year tenure, she provided legal representation and counsel, showcasing her commitment to public service and advocacy.
Educational Background
Lynsey Heffernan holds a Doctor of Law (JD) degree from Brooklyn Law School, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2006. She also earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard Kennedy School, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry from College of the Holy Cross. Heffernan's robust educational background underscores her proficiency in both legal and public administration domains.
Community Leadership
In addition to her professional roles, Lynsey Heffernan chairs the Shrewsbury School Committee. This position allows her to contribute to local educational governance and underscores her dedication to achieving positive outcomes for young people and their families through effective policy-making.