LaShanda Dawkins is the Acting Chief Administrative Officer at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).  In this role, she assists the General Manager/CEO in the overall administration of the Authority in accordance with policies and directives established by the General Manager/CEO and the MARTA Board of Directors. Ms. Dawkins is responsible for the Authority's Division of Administration, which includes the following departments: Information Technology, Planning, and Police.  Ms. Dawkins previously served as the Senior Director of Human Resources (HR) and was responsible for the core HR functions to include, Compensation, Welfare and Retirement Benefits, Recruiting, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) and Occupational Medical Services and Wellness. 

LaShanda began her career in transportation at MARTA, as a Senior Associate Counsel in the Office of Legal Services in 2006.  During her tenure in Legal Services, she was responsible for labor and employment litigation matters, and served as legal liaison for the MARTA Police Department.  She also served most recently as the Interim Assistant General Manager of Human Resources, and was responsible for managing the Offices of Human Resources, Diversity and Equal Opportunity, Labor Relations, and Training.  

LaShanda has over 16 years of experience advising clients in the area of labor and employment litigation.  Prior to joining MARTA, she served as an Assistant General Counsel for the City of Jacksonville, Florida and its independent agencies.  She also served as the General Director of Policy and Compliance for the Duval County School Board.

LaShanda holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Prairie View A&M University and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law.  She is a member of the State Bars of Texas, Florida, and Georgia, and is also admitted to practice in Federal Court.  She has handled federal civil matters in the United States District Courts for the Middle District of Florida and the Northern District of Georgia and has appeared before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

LaShanda is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); as well as the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA).  In addition to her professional affiliations, LaShanda is very active in her community.  She currently serves as the President for the Atlanta Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc. and as the Second Vice Director on the regional level.  In addition, she is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. LaShanda and her husband Michael reside in the City of Atlanta, with their two children.