Guest Column - STV
Q&A With...
Alexis Williams, AICP, PP, WTS Philadelphia Executive Board Member and STV Senior Planner
Alexis Williams, AICP, PP is a senior planner at STV and a new member of the WTS Philadelphia Executive Board. In this guest column, Alexis talks about starting in the industry, her hopes for new chapter leadership, and why you should never turn down a donut.
Q: When did you first know you wanted to become a planner?
A: I first worked with planners during an internship at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. I liked how planning required both technical and interpersonal skills. That’s when I decided to pursue my Master’s in City Planning.
Q: What is a particularly rewarding project you’ve worked on?
A: Right now, I am leading STV’s planning efforts on the PennDOT I-95 Betsy Ross Interchange project. It has been so gratifying to work with the public and PennDOT to identify ways we can incorporate best planning practices and neighborhood improvements into the design.
Q: What do you hope to achieve as a new member of the WTS Philadelphia Executive Board?
A: I love the sense of community that WTS Philadelphia has created for women in our industry, even during the pandemic. I hope I can help WTS continue this momentum and navigate the transition back to in-person events, when the time comes.
Q: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself at the start of your career?
A: Don’t be shy when you get that email that there is a box of donuts in the break room. Get out of your comfort zone and use informal gatherings as an opportunity to introduce yourself to others in the office. You will never regret forming a new connection.