Kristin Michelle Rosenthal
Kristin Rosenthal is a dedicated civil servant in the field of injury prevention and road safety, with a career spanning over two decades. Her commitment to saving lives was deeply shaped at age 19 when she was struck by a car, an experience that ultimately guided her toward public health and transportation safety work. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and Psychology from Michigan State University, followed by a Master of Education in Health Education from Wayne State University, building a strong foundation in health promotion and behavior change. She began her career in grassroots injury prevention at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where she worked directly with communities on child passenger safety, car seat fittings, and bicycle helmet education. She later expanded her impact through national nonprofit work, including leadership roles in road safety programming and community outreach. Across these positions, she developed expertise in program management, coalition building, public education, and evaluation of safety initiatives designed to reduce preventable injuries and fatalities. Today, she serves as a civil servant within the U.S. Department of Transportation’s highway safety mission, where she focuses on advancing evidence-based programs that protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and children near traffic environments. Her work includes developing safety toolkits, supporting state and local partners, and translating complex safety data into actionable resources. Driven by a deep personal mission, she is committed to reducing roadway deaths through education, systems improvement, and collaborative public health strategies.
• Contracting Officer's Representative (FAC-COR)
• Federal Acquisition Certification - Contracting Level III (FAC-COR)
• Safe Travel for all Children: Transporting Children with Special Health Care Needs
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
• Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)
• Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor
• Key Executive Leadership
• Wayne State University - M.Ed.
• Michigan State University
• Prince Michael International Road Safety Award
• Golden Halo Award
• PSI CHI
• Transportation Research Board
• Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for the work and my strong commitment to protecting my friends, family, and the public.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to trust themselves and not allow others to undermine their confidence. It is also important to seek out a supportive and effective leader, as good management can significantly shape both your career growth and overall work experience.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is changing individual behavior, which is inherently difficult but essential for meaningful progress. Traffic crashes continue to result in tens of thousands of deaths each year in the United States, including a significant number of pedestrian fatalities. As a result, there is a critical and ongoing need to prioritize vulnerable road users and strengthen community education and awareness efforts.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are saving lives, protecting loved ones, and serving the public through passionate, purposeful work.
Locations
U.S. Department of Transportation
New Market, MD 21774