What does Holly Arnold like to do in her free time?

Holly Arnold

First, her professional life: Arnold is administrator of the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration. In this role, she manages six modes — local bus, metro subway, light rail, mobility paratransit services, commuter bus and MARC train service — and oversees the construction of the Purple Line, a new, 16-mile light rail line outside of Washington, D.C. Arnold is a 2017 graduate of the Leadership APTA program, and she holds an undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

What do you like best about your current city of residence?

Baltimore is my adopted hometown. I moved here 17 years ago and have fallen in love with the city and its people. There are so many different festivals, concerts and sporting events, so there is always something to do. When the Ravens or Orioles are doing well, everyone is engaged and the energy is amazing. It is a city of distinct neighborhoods, which I enjoy exploring. I love my current neighborhood and that I live in a quiet, wooded area just steps from a bikeable, walkable street with frequent transit.

Arnold and her daughters, Greta and Josie, riding the subway in Copenhagen.

Favorite place to travel?

Earlier this spring I spent a week in Copenhagen with my family and fell in love. The city has a great mix of historical and modern buildings to explore, and it was incredibly easy to get around. We loved using the metro and regional rail systems and enjoyed how they've prioritized walking and biking. I have dozens of pictures from the transit system of ideas I'd love to incorporate in Maryland. My daughters were huge fans of the fact that nearly every museum, park and public space had a playground or something else focused on kids, and I loved that my kids were included in daily life.

Favorite ways to stay active?

I got into CrossFit more than 15 years ago and found that I really enjoyed strength training. While I don't do CrossFit anymore, I've kept up the strength-training habit and have set up a little home gym in my basement. Most days I wake up early to lift, and I also bike or run when I get the chance. It helps me to clear my brain and to start the day by spending some time doing something for myself.

What are you currently reading?

Unlocking Potential: How Great Leaders Get the Most Out of Individuals, Teams & Organizations by Ben Bergeron. I'm using tidbits from the book to help develop our leadership team at MTA, and the way it uses sports to explain leadership concepts makes it more digestible.

Favorite current TV show?

"RuPaul's Drag Race." I started watching during the pandemic and, even though it is a silly reality TV show, I love how it focuses on diversity, inclusivity and celebrating everyone being themselves. It always makes me feel good to watch, and the amazing drag performances are a nice bonus.

Favorite food?

French fries. I'm a sucker for any variety but I especially love the "fancier" duck fat or rosemary-garlic fries.

Arnold's daughter, Greta, holding the product of one of the many chocolate chip cookie recipes they've tested.

What would surprise people to learn about you?

Maybe not a surprise if you work in my office, but I love to bake. My oldest daughter and I love to find new cookbooks and flag cakes and cookies to make. I am also often browsing through and saving recipes on the New York Times cooking app. My daughter and I are on a mission to find the best chocolate chip cookie recipe and have made at least a dozen different recipes. The current reigning champ is one that incorporates brown butter.

Tell us about a recent ride you took on public transit

I'm a daily bus rider, and it's a great opportunity to chat with our fantastic MTA operators. One of my favorite recent rides was heading home on the 154. As I was waiting at the stop, I ran into multiple MTA employees — our director of service development was transferring buses and we were able to chat; one of our "Super Star" operators called me onto his bus to say 'hi' and give me a hug; and our Red Line admin caught the same bus as me since he lives in my neighborhood. These experiences happen fairly often on transit, and it always reminds me of the power of transit to create and bring together communities. None of those interactions would have happened if I were in a car.

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