Featuring Luisa Paiewonsky, Michelle Muhlanger, Colleen D’Alessandro, and moderated by Rachael Sack

Written by Brooke Sullivan (Haley & Aldrich) and Heather Scranton (Haley & Aldrich)

September’s WTS-Boston luncheon looked different than previous WTS seminars, as it was held virtually due to COVID-19. Luisa Paiewonsky, of the USDOT/Volpe Center, Michelle Muhlanger, of the FTA, and Colleen D’Alessandro, of the FAA, all joined to discuss their impressive careers in transportation as moderated by Rachael Sack of the USDOT/Volpe Center.  The speakers shared how they arrived in their roles today, the defining moments of their careers, and the challenges they have faced as women in their industries in the past and amid a pandemic.

2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, but luckily for the panelists, they are no strangers to challenges in their careers. These women have successfully worked their way up in a predominately male industry to have the leadership roles they have today. The current pandemic has created a whole new range of challenges: from managing what feels like a 24/7 work environment, to juggling Zoom meetings and virtual learning with children, to simply missing the old “normal” of catching up with coworkers in the office kitchen. Paiewonsky, Muhlanger, and D’Alessandro have all been able to use things they have learned at all different stages in their career to help them succeed during these strange times.

D’Alessandro started her career working at General Electric. A few years later, she decided to make a 180 and take a job at FAA. This ended up being a positive move for herself, both personally and professionally. She considers making the switch from private industry to public service the most defining moment of her career, as she truly values being a public servant, and feels she can make better decisions. Her role at FAA also allowed D’Alessandro to have a better work-life balance, which is helpful during the current times as well. She encourages people to find a routine (she is an engineer after all), something as simple as waking up and geting dressed for work even though you’re at home. D’Alessandro also advises people to turn on their camera during calls, saying that it shows that you are engaged and want to be there.

Muhlanger’s first job after graduating Tufts was the FRA. She was working on a team of all men, almost all of whom her senior, but she ended up learning a lot in this role and stayed there for eight years. It was not until this year that she moved on to her current role at FTA. Muhlanger was in the office for two weeks before the pandemic hit, so she has felt the challenges of getting to know new coworkers without the normal in-person interactions. She encourages others in this position to reach out to coworkers and have informal “coffee chats.” One of Muhlanger’s defining moments in her career was when she had just returned from maternity leave and her boss informed her that she would go to Washington, D.C. for a month-long training rotation. She was hesitant that she would be able to make it all work, but she took the risk and ended up on a big project where she was able to see herself as a leader. Muhlanger is still learning to juggle motherhood and a demanding work schedule, but with experiences like the D.C. one, she has built confidence in herself.

Paiewonsky has been a member of WTS since 1991. She credits the organization for giving herself and other women opportunities to network with others in the industry and advance their careers, such as the boost she received to become MassHighway Commissioner earlier in her career. Paiewonsky sees the positives that have come out of the pandemic, including becoming a more effective leader by learning more about her coworker’s communication styles.  By interacting with people differently, she learned that some people are inclined to respond right away, while others need more time to process, important factors when weighing decisions.  She also notes that it is amazing what you can do when there’s no choice, which she finds true both personally and professionally.

The pandemic has changed our lives and pushed everyone out of their comfort zones. Although it is difficult, it is a perfect time to show others that you can be a leader and that you are adaptable. One day we will be back to the office having lunch with coworkers, but for now, use this time to learn, challenge yourself, and do something you enjoy.