Over the past five years, Agne Vaitekenaite has advanced her role within ERTICO's Partnership & Advocacy department, moving from supporting engagement activities to taking on a leading role. During this time, she reinforced ERTICO's advocacy efforts, expanding the organisation's influence and strengthening engagement with key stakeholders.
In this interview, Agne reflects on her journey in shaping partnerships, driving advocacy initiatives, and mentoring her team. She also shares her own perspectives on the sector’s most significant developments and challenges, the lessons learned from cross-sector collaboration, and her advice for those joining ERTICO.
How has your role evolved over the past five years?
Agne explains that while it has been challenging at times, these five years have been profoundly inspiring. She describes how her role has grown, "It has transformed my role into one that shapes the partnership vision and drives meaningful change at the European and global level."
Today, her remit extends across both partnership and advocacy activities. "I now oversee both partnership and advocacy strategies, represent ERTICO and its activities at high-level events, and lead initiatives that strengthen our network and impact. Beyond that, I am deeply committed to people leadership, mentoring and empowering my team and colleagues to grow, innovate and succeed," she says.
How has your work in Partnerships and Advocacy contributed to ERTICO’s mission and ecosystem?
Agne’s work in Partnerships and Advocacy has focused on building bridges between public and private stakeholders, acquiring new Partners, and supporting ERTICO’s positioning as a leading organisation in smart, sustainable, inclusive, and user-centric mobility across the EU and beyond.
Reflecting on the past five years, she recalls supporting the onboarding of more than 60 Partners, from major industry organisations to start-ups, SMEs, cities, ministries, research centres, universities, and user associations. "This has strengthened ERTICO’s collaborative ecosystem, expanded our capacity to deliver impactful cross-sectoral initiatives, and enabled meaningful dialogue across sectors,” she comments.
This engagement has also extended to key institutional and international actors. "The engagement with EU institutions and international organisations, including the OECD, ITF, UITP, UNECE, among others, has further amplified ERTICO’s role as a trusted convener, bridge builder and thought leader," she explains. "Through these alliances, I have worked to create spaces for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint action."
Beyond formal partnerships, Agne has increasingly acted as an ambassador for ERTICO’s work at the international level, participating in high-level events, panel discussions and public speaking engagements to connect stakeholders, share insights, and advance the dialogue on sustainable, smart and inclusive mobility. She has also initiated activities to strengthen ERTICO’s online presence. "One of these activities stands out," she says. "ERTICO’s podcast 'Connecting Dots & Talks' in 2023, available on Spotify, was launched to further strengthen engagement with our Partners and external stakeholders by creating a new forum for conversations that inspire cross-sector collaboration and amplify innovative ideas."
Today, Agne leads the development of the Partnership & Advocacy team, providing strategic direction and encouragement while working closely with other departments. “I am proud to have received the trust to lead a great team that embodies ERTICO’s values – cooperation, openness, impact and vision – helping to strengthen our culture and amplify our collective influence,” she adds.
As part of her role in shaping the Partnership and Advocacy strategy, Agne is also a member of ERTICO’s extended leadership team, contributing to organisational development and supporting the alignment of activities with the organisation’s vision and mission.
What do you think have been the most significant developments or challenges for the sector?
From Agne’s perspective, the transport and mobility sector has seen remarkable developments in recent years, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) standing out as a particularly significant driver of change. "AI is enabling smarter traffic management, predictive maintenance, and personalised mobility services that pave the way for more efficient, sustainable and smarter transport systems," she notes.
“Transport is not just about moving people and goods. It is about ensuring access for all and enabling full participation in society,” she says. “Yet the industry still struggles to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. Historically male-dominated and with a lack of diverse voices at the table, the industry risks designing systems that do not fully reflect all users’ needs. Achieving true inclusivity requires intentional efforts to bring more diversity into leadership roles, ensuring that transport solutions are equitable, accessible, and designed for everyone.”
What have you learned from collaborating with stakeholders across different sectors?
Collaboration across a wide range of actors has been one of the most enriching aspects of Agne’s work at ERTICO. She emphasises that working in such a diverse ecosystem requires more than technical expertise. “Collaborating with stakeholders across public and private sectors, EU institutions, and international organisations has taught me that building consensus in such a diverse ecosystem requires more than technical expertise,” she reflects. “It demands empathy, adaptability, and a deep understanding of different priorities and cultures. Public sector partners often focus on policy alignment and societal impact, while private stakeholders prioritise innovation and market viability. EU institutions bring a regulatory and strategic perspective, and international organisations add a global dimension to the conversation.”
Through these collaborations, she has come to value the importance of common ground and shared objectives. “It has reinforced the importance of transparency, trust, and continuous dialogue. Most importantly, it has shown me that true progress in mobility comes when we combine visionary policy with entrepreneurial agility and global cooperation,” she comments.
These experiences have also shaped her own leadership style. “It is about creating partnerships that are not only strategic but also inclusive, ensuring that every voice contributes to shaping the future of transport."
If you could give one piece of advice to someone joining ERTICO today, what would it be?
When thinking about new colleagues and the evolving mobility landscape, Agne offers a clear message: “Be fearless in shaping the future. ERTICO thrives on innovation and collaboration, so do not just follow the path; challenge it,” she says.
She concludes with a reflection on personal growth and purpose. “Bring your ideas to the table, speak up even when uncomfortable, and embrace the complexity of working across sectors and different cultures. Stay curious, build strong relationships with stakeholders, and never underestimate the power of your voice. You will not only grow, but you will also help transform mobility for generations to come. And most importantly, keep a sense of purpose: remember that every project you contribute to has the potential to make transport safer, smarter, and more inclusive for millions of people.”
Interested in collaborating with leaders driving smarter, greener, and more inclusive transport? Contact Agne at a.vaitekenaite@mail.ertico.com to discuss how you can join the ERTICO Partnership or explore the engagement opportunities provided by the department.