On February 3, 2025, Student Transportation of America (STA) proudly announced the appointment of Raje Dwaraka as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With a remarkable background spanning 25 years in finance and leadership across various sectors—including manufacturing, technology, and services—Dwaraka's arrival is highly anticipated. Gene Kowalczewski, CEO of STA, expressed excitement at welcoming Dwaraka, emphasizing her experience as crucial for the company’s upcoming chapters of growth. He stated, "Her background in finance leadership and expertise in driving operational efficiency will be instrumental in fostering sustainable growth for STA."
Dwaraka comes to STA with a robust portfolio of leadership in strategic planning, risk management, business transformation, and liquidity enhancement. These skills are expected to contribute significantly to STA’s ambition of expanding its services and capabilities in both the current landscape and potentially new markets. Her history of optimizing financial operations and leading extensive projects through mergers and acquisitions will play a vital role as STA focuses on expanding its reach and enhancing service offerings.
In her own words, Dwaraka remarked, "I'm looking forward to working with the Leadership Team to help advance STA's mission and further solidify its industry-leading position in the transportation industry." This reflects her commitment to leveraging her expertise for the betterment of the organization.
Dwaraka holds credentials as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Accountant (CA), in addition to her educational background with a Bachelor of Commerce from Madras University in India. Prior to joining STA, she was the CFO at Davis-Standard and held the Chief Accounting Officer position at Nielson IQ. Her diverse experiences demonstrate a track record of enhancing operational performance and steering strategic initiatives that have consistently positioned companies for success.
Student Transportation of America has established itself as a trusted leader in the student transportation and fleet services industry since its inception in 1997. Operating over 22,000 vehicles across the U.S. and Canada, STA is dedicated to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transportation solutions. The organization emphasizes a safety-first culture, ensuring that employees take pride in their work while maintaining a commitment to positively impacting both passenger health and the environment. As STA looks to the future, its initiatives to reduce carbon emissions reflect a strong commitment to sustainability.
As Raje Dwaraka steps into her new role, the expectations are high. With a proven ability to drive growth and enhance financial performance, she is set to contribute to STA’s ongoing efforts in reinforcing its stronghold within the industry while pursuing environmentally responsible practices. For more information about Student Transportation of America, visit
www.rideSTA.com.