Railroad Career

Ilyssa DeCasperis is an accomplished human resources executive, attorney, and advocate whose career has been defined by leadership, innovation, and service. As the first Chief People Officer of Metrolink, she provides strategic leadership in talent acquisition, employee development, succession planning, performance management, compensation, benefits, and organizational culture.

Prior to joining Metrolink, Ilyssa built an impressive career in labor and employee relations, including serving as a Hearing Officer for the New York City Transit Authority Labor Relations Department. Throughout her career, she has championed collaboration, diversity, and employee engagement, believing that trust, respect, and communication create stronger organizations and more successful workplaces.

Her leadership extends beyond Metrolink, having represented the agency in APTA's Racial Equity Pilot Program and helping develop initiatives to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility throughout the organization.

NARBW Service

As a founding member of the NARBW Southern California Chapter, Ilyssa has played a significant role in shaping the chapter's growth and success. She assisted in launching the chapter's first newsletter, ROW (Right of Way), helping modernize communications and strengthen member engagement.

She has served as Sergeant-at-Arms and actively supported chapter fundraising initiatives, including recommending affiliate partnerships to generate passive income for the chapter. She also worked closely with Convention Chair Trischelle Baysden in planning and supporting the 2023 NARBW National Convention hosted by the Southern California Chapter.

Ilyssa's vision, leadership, and commitment to empowering women have helped establish a strong foundation for NARBW SoCal and continue to inspire members throughout the organization.

Community Leadership

Ilyssa's impact reaches far beyond the railroad industry. She is the co-founder of CompelAmerica, an organization dedicated to eradicating bullying among both children and adults. She also founded the Canyon Lake 9/11 Tribute in Light, honoring those who lost their lives, survived, or continue to suffer illnesses resulting from the September 11 attacks. Proceeds from the event support organizations serving veterans and first responders.

Her community leadership includes supporting the Southern California American Heart Association, serving as a member of the Forbes Human Resources Council, and participating on the Board of Advisors for Customer Experience at the University of California, Irvine.

She has also demonstrated a passion for philanthropy through fundraising and charitable initiatives, including co-chairing a corporate giving campaign that raised more than $10,000 for various charitable organizations through the publication of a staff-created cookbook titled Cooking Your Way.

Why She Was Chosen

Ilyssa's story is one of perseverance, advocacy, and leadership. A heart disease survivor and American Heart Association Woman of Impact nominee, she has courageously shared her personal health journey to raise awareness that heart disease remains the number one killer of women in America. Despite facing significant health challenges, she has continued to lead, inspire, and serve others.

Whether advocating for employees, empowering women, supporting charitable causes, or mentoring future leaders, Ilyssa consistently demonstrates the values of service, resilience, and excellence.

For her extraordinary professional achievements, dedication to NARBW, commitment to community service, and unwavering advocacy for others, Ilyssa DeCasperis was selected as the NARBW SoCal Woman of the Year in both 2022 and 2023, becoming the chapter's first two-time recipient of this distinguished honor.