Irie Price

“I find inspiration in working with teams to accomplish a goal. Wonderful synergies can happen when we create a space to share ideas and collaborate,” says transportation communications specialist Irie Price.

As a former journalist and educator, Irie has spent more than a decade engaging with the public and focused audiences through stories, outreach materials, and workshops. Irie has led more than 300 participants in virtual and hybrid workshops since 2019. She’s a trusted expert in road usage charging (RUC) stakeholder engagement and spends her time working with subject-matter experts to simplify complex topics for public audiences.

Her favorite project to date is the Kansas Department of Education Midwest Road Usage Charge Pilot. As she describes it, “It’s a standout example of how CDM Smith’s team brings innovation to deliver impactful results for clients.”

This pilot aimed to determine whether a RUC could be a viable solution for Kansas. Irie worked closely with technical teams to map out user journeys, develop recruitment materials, craft surveys, and design driver interviews. The team’s efforts led to the successful recruitment of over 500 drivers across Kansas and the Midwest, with an impressive 98% completion rate for enrollment surveys and 91% for exit surveys.

Irie continues to facilitate her expertise in transportation policies to develop effective engagement strategies. “I love that CDM Smith encourages using best practices and innovative thinking to bring solutions to our clients. This blend of tried-and-true and fresh-and-new gives us the ability to learn from the past while charting a new path forward."