Misbaou Bah: A Global Path to Local Impact

We’re an interconnected nationwide team, but we each have our own reasons for being passionate about the work we do. This month, get to know Misbaou Bah, transportation analyst in our Miami office.

What’s your background and how did you get started in transportation?

I’m originally from Guinea in West Africa. I came to the U.S. after high school, spent some time in New York, and then studied civil engineering at Rice University in Houston. I started in structural, but around sophomore–junior year I realized it wasn’t for me. An urban planning and design class opened my eyes to transportation, how design choices like street trees can change driver behavior and how streets shape daily life. I dove in, read books on city transformations, and pursued transportation internships while finishing my degree. A mentor encouraged me to look at firms beyond Houston, which led me to Kittelson. After interviews with the team, I joined Kittelson’s Miami office.

Outside of work, I’m a big soccer fan, especially of Real Madrid and Arsenal, and I used to be active with a running club. I also like getting out and exploring the city when I can.

What has been your favorite project or favorite type of work you’ve done so far at Kittelson?

I’m drawn to projects with short timelines that create visible change, like responding to a community safety concern and then seeing the improvements out on the street a few months later. That direct impact is why I love this field. Day to day, I’ve worked on traffic operations, private development TIAs, and safety tasks, and I’ve been getting into conceptual design as well.

Tell us about your involvement in the Kittelson Charitable Foundation; what drew you to that work and what do you want others to know about KCF?

I got involved after connecting with Wayne Kittelson and hearing the story of KCF’s work in Rwanda and now Tanzania. As someone who grew up in West Africa and benefited from people who helped me along the way, supporting students’ education resonates with me. We fundraise mainly through the firm’s annual auction around Thanksgiving, and last year helped sponsor a student from Tanzania to attend TRB. Wayne is humble and doesn’t want the foundation used as marketing; he cares about real impact. We also want more people to know they can contribute in different ways, whether through time, talent, or connections, not just money. And it’s always optional—people should get involved in ways that feel right to them.

What advice would you give to students or recent graduates who are considering a career in transportation?

Consulting isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Master the fundamentals and the tools, but also focus on understanding the “why,” not just the “how,” and think about the real-world implications of your work. Be patient with yourself, raise your hand for new things even if you’re not an expert yet, and advocate for your interests. Most importantly, don’t lose your personality. Our field benefits from different backgrounds and perspectives, and you bring something unique by being yourself.

What trends or innovations in transportation excite you most?

I’m excited about how AI and technology can support better, smarter cities, from automated data collection to tools that make our workflows faster and more accurate. Change can be uncomfortable, but embracing it helps us grow and keeps us from falling behind. I think we’ll see more change in the next five years than we’ve seen in the last twenty, and I want to be ready to use new tools to make a bigger impact.

Fast lane facts:

Favorite soccer team to root for?

Real Madrid and Arsenal (but if they’re playing each other, I’m picking Madrid).

Go-to comfort food after a long day?

Attiéké with fish, which is a dish from the Ivory Coast, or Senegalese jollof rice when I have time to make it.

One piece of technology you can’t live without (besides your phone)?

My computer.

One city you’d like to explore for its transportation system?

Cities in the Netherlands for their bike culture, and someday I’d love to drive on a highway in Germany.