The Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) honored Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) leader and longtime MPTA board member and officer Cindy Baker with its 2026 President’s Award during the 2026 Missouri Transit Conference, recently held in Columbia.
Baker has enjoyed a successful 45-year communications and marketing career, including the last 37 years with the KCATA. As senior director of marketing, communications and customer service, she has overseen external and internal communications, digital communications, branding, strategic and crisis communications, advertising, community engagement, market research, event planning, sales and promotion, and public, media and governments relations. Her excellent judgement, knowledge, accessibility and problem-solving skills have made her a trusted resource among stakeholders, while her unique ability to bridge diverse audiences and build consensus have earned her widespread respect.
In addition to this accolade, Baker has garnered more than two dozen national marketing and communications awards for KCATA and was named the 2015 Transit Advocate of the Year by the Missouri Public Transit Association.
“I have had the privilege and honor to work with Cindy since 2010,” said Kimberly Cella, executive director of the MPTA. “She is the consummate professional, and the number of awards she has received only begin to reflect the dedication and hard work she has contributed to KCATA. Cindy is truly deserving of this award.”