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Procurement professional Omar Messado, based in Ossining, New York, is launching a new community initiative offering free workshops, mentorship circles, and office hours for early-career professionals in procurement and transportation.
A Leadership Model Built on Helping Others Succeed
New York, USA, Aug 10, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Omar Messado has spent more than two decades in procurement and transportation leadership, directing operations at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad, and Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. Throughout his career, he has prioritized one principle above all: success is measured by the growth of others.
“My success is when you see the accomplishment of others based on your input, guidance, and support. Your success is measured by the accomplishments of your team,” Messado explains. “When they meet the standards, complete projects, and exceed expectations, that is the true testament to leadership.”
Now, Messado is taking that philosophy beyond the workplace and into the community. He is launching a series of free mentorship circles, workshops, and virtual office hours designed to help emerging professionals in procurement, contract management, and transportation infrastructure navigate the challenges of building a meaningful career.
Who the Initiative Is For
The program is open to anyone interested in procurement, contract negotiation, or transportation leadership, with a focus on early-career professionals, career changers, and those seeking guidance on advancing within private sector or infrastructure roles.
Participants do not need prior experience in procurement or transportation. The initiative welcomes college students, recent graduates, mid-career professionals exploring new paths, and anyone looking to strengthen their leadership skills or learn how to build lasting professional relationships.
“Be a leader that is open to learning from others, especially those he supervises. Give credit and recognition to those who deserve it,” Messado says. “Understand that mistakes will be made. The important things are to be educated so as to not repeat them.”
What Participants Will Receive
The initiative includes three main components. Monthly mentorship circles bring together small groups of participants to discuss real-world challenges, share career strategies, and learn from each other in a facilitated environment. These sessions will focus on topics such as contract negotiation basics, navigating organizational politics, building credibility in a new role, and identifying the next step in your career path.
Free workshops will be offered quarterly and cover practical skills such as budgeting, cost and price analysis, business writing, and strategic decision making. Each workshop is designed to be accessible and actionable, with takeaways participants can apply immediately.
Messado will also hold monthly virtual office hours where participants can ask questions, request feedback on resumes or career plans, or discuss specific challenges they are facing. These one-on-one and small-group sessions are designed to provide personalized guidance.
“When you start something new in your career, new job, promotion, whatever, you should look immediately for where the next step is. When it becomes clear, that should become your next succession in your career,” Messado advises.
How to Join and Participate
Interested participants can sign up by visiting omarmessado.com and completing a short registration form. There is no cost to join, and no long-term commitment is required.
For those with limited time, Messado emphasizes that even occasional participation can be valuable. Workshops and office hours are recorded and shared with registered participants who cannot attend live. Mentorship circles meet once a month, and participants can join as their schedules allow.
The first mentorship circle will take place in early summer, with workshops beginning in the fall. All sessions will be conducted virtually to accommodate participants across time zones and locations.
Rooted in Personal Experience
Messado’s commitment to mentorship is informed by his own journey. Born in Jamaica, West Indies and raised in New York City, he immigrated to the United States by age 10. He attended parochial schools in Brooklyn, the Bronx, New York City and Westchester before earning a BBA in Finance from Iona College and later a master’s degree in Transportation Management from NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering.
Throughout his career, Messado has credited mentors, including Gennaro “Gene” Sansone, with helping him navigate critical transitions and develop his leadership approach. He believes that access to guidance should not depend on where you work or who you already know.
“Success is when you, at times, take a brief pause and look back on what you have done and see where you have been, where you came from and where you are now,” Messado reflects. “It is not a matter of career growth or goals achieved, but the many people you have impacted positively and their own paths that they have taken because you either helped, supported, guided, educated or participated in some way that makes them grow better beyond when you first met them.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to work in procurement or transportation to participate? No. The program is open to anyone interested in these fields, regardless of current role or industry.
Is there a cost to join? No. All workshops, mentorship circles, and office hours are free.
How much time do I need to commit? There is no required time commitment. Participants can attend as many or as few sessions as they choose.
Will sessions be recorded? Yes. Workshops and office hours will be recorded and shared with registered participants.
How do I sign up? Visit omarmessado.com and complete the registration form. You will receive details about upcoming sessions via email.
Join the Community
Messado invites anyone interested in building a career rooted in integrity, strategic thinking, and service to others to join the initiative. Whether you are just starting out, looking to make a change, or seeking to sharpen your skills, the mentorship circles and workshops offer a space to learn, grow, and connect with others who share your goals.
To register for mentorship circles, workshops, or office hours, visit OmarMessado.com. Registration is open now, and the first sessions begin this summer.
About Omar Messado
Omar Messado is a procurement professional with over two decades of experience in transportation, infrastructure, contract management, and strategic procurement. He has held senior leadership roles at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad, and Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., where he directed procurement operations for rolling stock, infrastructure projects, and design-build initiatives. Known for his leadership philosophy centered on mentorship, fairness, and supporting team success, Messado has built a reputation for operational excellence and developing future leaders in the procurement and transportation sectors. He resides in Ossining, New York.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No FUNDS MANAGEMENT journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.