2023-2024 Committees

Interested in becoming more involved with WTS Philadelphia?  Join one of our vibrant committees described below. Email the committee director if interested in learning more.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Director: AnnMarie Vigilante, PE (Langan)
Chair: Briana Pampuch, PE (Langan)

Awards and Recognition plan the annual Awards Dinner, the Chapter's largest event.  The committee solicits nominations in several categories, such as: Philadelphia Award, WTS Philadelphia Member of the Year Award, Woman of the Year Award, Employer of the Year Award, Diversity Award and the Innovative Transportation Solutions Award. This committee is responsible for promoting and publicizing this event, and is expected to coordinate with many of the other Chapter committees and the Executive Board.

Contact: [email protected]

CHAPTER RELATIONS

Director: Lindsey Graham Dixon, PMP, CMIT (HNTB)
Membership Chair: Lori Piscopo (Hunt Engineering)
Sponsor Recognition Chair: Kristen Weber (Penn E&R)
VIP Event Co-Chair: Paige Braude 
VIP Event Co-Chair: Alex Atiyeh (H&K Group)

Chapter Relations builds and maintains relationships with the Chapter's sponsors and Agency Partners. The committee solicits annual donations to the Chapter and assists with other special fundraising initiatives as needed.  The committee also maintains all sponsor information, including company names, contacts, logos, and designated members.  It is responsible for monitoring sponsor benefits, providing monthly spotlight articles for the Chapter's communication channels, and creating the PowerPoint presentations for monthly programs and the Awards Dinner.

Contact: [email protected]

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION

Director: Jen Waters, PE, LEED AP (Urban)
Communications Chair: Mia Held (C&S)
M/W/DBE Expo Co-Chair: Colleen Meiswich (A. D. Marble)
M/W/DBE Expo Co-Chair: Rose Rinker (Urban)

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion promotes diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the Chapter by supporting the advancement of women and minorities in transportation. This includes creating enhanced opportunities for Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBEs) to network and team with Primes, as well as elevating the overall level of consciousness as related to the Chapter's operation, outreach, and business function, and developing diversity and inclusion programs related to the Chapter's membership.

Contact: [email protected]

EMERGING LEADERS

Director: Caitlin Cavanagh (AECOM)
Co-Chair: Lauren Kujawa (TPD)
Co-Chair: Jessica Herman (SEPTA)

Emerging Leaders was created as a forum for women and gender-minority professionals in the early stages of their transportation careers.  And by transportation careers - we mean everyone - engineers, planners, researchers, marketing gurus, admin queens, financial wizards, architects, construction managers, train conductors, construction manager, etc.  Diversity adds spice to this recipe!  The group will meet every other month to explore solutions and strategies to enhance professional and personal development.  It is open to members and non-members (who we hope will be members!).

Contact: [email protected]
 

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Director: Elyse Conti (TPD)
Chair: Danielle Kauffman (TPD)

MarCom is the Chapter’s news bureau, responsible for disseminating all Chapter news via various channels, including social media, website, newsletters, e-blasts, press releases, etc. The committee coordinates and oversees the design, editing and production of Chapter publications, also responsible for graphic design, photography, advertising, promotion and event coverage.

Contact: [email protected]

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Director: Faye Majekodunmi, PE (Amtrak)
WTS Works Co-Chairs: Kirsten Kennedy, PE (Michael Baker) & Tara Hofferth, PE (Kittelson)
TechNIQUE Chair: Lee Wolfe, PE (TranSystems)
LFAL Co-Chairs: Shiny Mathew, PE, ENV SP (JMT) & Claudia Aliff (Flix)

Professional Development focuses on providing diverse and collaborative programming that can aid our membership in building their technical and soft skills, while providing guidance that is integral to the advancement of women in transportation. TECHnique facilitates special events aimed at engaging and educating members on various transportation and career-oriented subjects. The committee also hosts the Chapter's WTS Works internship and mentoring programs. The WTS Works program matches our corporate sponsors with new talent through paid summer internships and shadowing opportunities. The Mentoring program is a collaborative initiative that pairs industry professionals to build relationships and inspire career advancement. The Learn from a Leader Series, hosted in the summer months, provides audiences with insights into the personal stories and experiences of influential individuals in our industry. For more information on our committee, please visit the Professional Development page.

Contact: [email protected]
 

PROGRAMS

Director: Kelly Freeman, RA, LEED AP (Sowinski Sullivan)
Chair: Melissa Cranford (STV)

Our Programs are focused heavily on content and impact.  Programs have always been the backbone of WTS Philadelphia, as we strive to provide optimal networking opportunities with relevant speakers on timely topics.

Contacts: [email protected]
 

STUDENT OUTREACH 

Director: Danielle Schroeder, PE, ENV SP (Gannett Fleming)

The Philadelphia Chapter has consolidated all of its student-related initiatives under the umbrella of one central committee - Student Outreach.  This will allow greater continuity in the execution of the Chapter's efforts to stimulate interest in transportation-related careers.

TransportationYOU: The committee is responsible for developing and implementing the Chapter's Transportation You program.  This program is designed to introduce girls between the ages of 13 and 18 to careers in transportation, focused mainly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Co-Chair: Gina Venuto-Gabriella (STV)
Co-Chair: Madelyn Marquardt (Urban)

Scholarship: WTS Philadelphia awards scholarships to women from high school to graduate school who are interested in pursuing careers in transportation.  The scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant's specific transportation goals, academic record, transportation-related activities, and other relevant skills.  Scholarships include: Carmen E. Turner Graduate Scholarship, Sylvia Aston Graduate Scholarship, Suzanne Axworthy Undergraduate Scholarship, and the Transportation You High School Senior Scholarship.  Other awards may be granted at the discretion of the Chapter.

Chair: Theresa Loux, PhD, PE, ENV SP (Aero Aggregates)

Student Chapter: WTS Philadelphia recently established a college-based community that focuses on advancing women in transportation through building networking skills, fostering professional development, and refining leadership skills.  Student Chapter events provide supplemental education about the professional practice of transportation-related work by inviting distinguished lecturers, hosting leadership training events, and offering student mentoring and networking opportunities.  The Student Chapter is open to female students attending college in the Philadelphia region.

Co-Chair: Cory Wyffels, PE (WSP)
Co-Chair: Blaire Miran (AECOM)

Contact: [email protected]
 

EXECUTIVE WOMEN'S ROUNDTABLE

Director: Kiera Crenny (HNTB)

Established during WTS Philadelphia's 2017-2018 term, the Executive Women's Roundtable is a forum for our local senior-level women and business owners.  This intimate group meets quarterly for high-level, engaging programming focused on areas of interest for our leaders in the transportation industry.  

Contact: [email protected]
 

WTS PAST PRESIDENTS CIRCLE

Chair: Erica Antoine, PE (Burns Engineering)

In order to formally recognize the collective knowledge and expertise of past leaders, the PPC was created as a resource for the Chapter's executive team and overall board.  The PPC will provide advisory support as related to intermodal transportation and the advancement of women in the profession.  It will assist with outreach initiatives that elevate and enhance the reputation of the Chapter.  The PPC will also work to cultivate the Chapter's relationships with strategic partners and elected officials.  As the name suggests, this group is open only to past presidents of the Chapter.

Contact: [email protected]     
  

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Chair: Jenn Walsh, PE (HDR)
Co-Vice Chair: Lexy McDowell (City of Philadelphia, Department of Aviation)
Co-Vice Chair: Ty McGIlberry (Pegasus Financial Planning)

Strategic Partnerships is an advisory committee that provides insights to advance and promote regional/industry engagement in our Chapter to further the mission of creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable transportation industry.  This is a collaborative committee, that frequently links with other committees, cross-developing events and/or initiatives.

Contact: [email protected]

LEHIGH VALLEY ANNEX

Chair: AnnMarie Vigilante, PE (Langan)
Co-Vice Chair: Briana Pampuch, PE (Langan)
Co-Vice Chair: Silvia Scheuermann, PE (AECOM)

The Lehigh Valley Annex enhances the Chapter by encouraging stronger connections within Lehigh Valley and surrounding suburbs.  This committee was created to bridge the gap and expand existing programs.  The Lehigh Valley Annex identifies opportunities where the Chapter can deliver its services to a broader pool of members, sponsors, and agency representatives.

Contact: [email protected]

 

NORTHEAST REGIONAL COUNCIL

Representative: Patti Gibson May

WTS International chapters are organized into regions to expand the grassroots outreach of the association by connecting members across multiple states and across multimodal industries.

WTS Philadelphia is part of the Northeast Regional Council (NERC). NERC currently has 16 chapters: WTS Baltimore, WTS Boston, WTS Central PA, WTS Connecticut, WTS Delaware, WTS Greater New York, WTS Maine, WTS New Hampshire, WTS New Jersey, WTS Philadelphia, WTS Pittsburgh, WTS Rhode Island, WTS Southern Ontario, WTS Toronto, WTS Vermont, and WTS Washington DC. Together, they represent some of largest transportation epicenters in the world.

Contact: [email protected]