Program Recaps
WTS Philadelphia and WTS Greater New York Join Forces for Equity in Transportation Program
WTS Philadelphia and WTS Greater New York (GNY) co-hosted an all-female panel, ADVANCING EQUITY IN TRANSPORTATION IN THE NORTHEAST, on November 18, 2020. The event featured: Maria I Lopez-Nunez, Director of Environmental Justice and Community Development at the Ironbound Community Corporation; Leslie Richards, General Manager of SEPTA; and Veronica Vanterpool, Chief Innovation Officer at the Delaware Transit Corporation. Amtrak’s Caroline Nielson Decker, Vice President, NEC Service Line, served as moderator.
Hard-hitting questions were split into four categories: equity, public health concerns, expansion of economic benefits, and community engagement.The discussion ranged from disparities in transportation, special initiatives - such as Complete Streets and Vision Zero - as remedies, and ride quality to incorporating community engagement in planning processes and refocusing the lens of multimodal transportation planning.
Board member Faye Majekodunmi of Gannett Fleming spearheaded the collaboration efforts on behalf of WTS Philadelphia.
Making Moves
WTS Philadelphia had a robust quarter of thought-provoking programming in 4Q2020, beginning with
"Making Moves: Multimodal Transportation in the Lehigh Valley" on October 29, 2020. The chapter joined forces with the Traffic Club of Lehigh Valley to explore how the three major cities in the Lehigh Valley are maximizing transportation options for moving people, goods, and services around the region efficiently.
Panelists included: Dave Hopkins, Director of Public Services for the City of Easton; Darlene Heller, Planning Director for the City of Bethlehem; and Hannah Clark, Senior Planner at the City of Allentown. The panel was moderated by Claire Sadler, Director of Trails & Conservation at the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc. AnnMarie Vigilante, PE, and Briana Earle, PE, both of Langan, organized the event, which was an initiative of WTS Philadelphia’s PhilaLink Committee.
Taking Care of Business
On November 16, 2020, WTS Philadelphia hosted "Taking Care of Business," which explored how the owners of five DBE/MBE/WBE firms have grown their companies and what they've done to cultivate success.
Panelists included: Manik Arora, President & CEO of Arora Engineers, Inc.; Hezekiah Harris, President of CMTS LLC; Susan D. Menno, RLA, President of Hunt Engineering Company; Sanjay Naik, PE, President of Naik Consulting Group, PC; and Kamal Shahid, President of KS Engineers, P.C. Christine A. Baker, MBA, Manager of Contract Compliance for the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, moderated the discussion. This program was led by WTS Philadelphia’s Phorum Task Force, which strives to create meaningful dialogue related to equality, diversity, inclusion, and justice.
Not My Backyard
We explored the impact of public outreach on transportation projects with "Not My Backyard" on November 23, 2020. Nothing derails a project faster than an uprising by a group of angry, vocal, and mobilized neighbors. Building stakeholder consensus is a crucial step in taking a project from planning to construction. Our panel of experts explored how they help move the needle from NOT MY BACKYARD to LET’S DO THIS!
Panelists included: Phoebe Coles, CEO & Founding Partner of Community Marketing Concepts; Valerie Burnette Edgar, APR, VP, Public Outreach for Stokes Creative Group, Inc.; John Mullen, Assistant Director, Planning & Communications Services for McCormick Taylor, Inc.; and Elizabeth Smith, P.E., PMP, Chief Administrative Officer for Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). The event was moderated by WTS President, Patti Gibson May.
Transform the Norm
On December 3, 2020, WTS Philadelphia’s Phorum Task Force held a second session. "Transform the Norm: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Culture at Your Organization." Myneca Ojo, Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, moderated the panel, which included representatives from three major A/E/C consulting firm leaders: Abraham Carrillo, Inclusion and Diversity Director, HDR; Jeffery Dingle, PE, Vice President of Together Beyond, Jacobs; and Tanya Adams, Inclusion & Diversity Chair, WSP USA.
Each participant spoke frankly about the importance and necessity of incorporating DEI initiatives into the workplace environment, and shared strategies for developing effective company initiatives that are grassroots-inspired and leadership-led.
Some of their collective considerations, tips, and best practices included:
- Redefine what ‘good leadership’ is; good leadership is inclusive leadership.
- Measure DEI at the same rigor that you do financial performance and other key business metrics.
- For organizations with multiple offices, local (trained) ambassadors can provide guidance to leadership and encourage staff involvement.
- Develop a long-term strategy for DEI, while understanding that sometimes some groups will need more attention at different times. Ultimately, the goal is equity for all. Everyone needs to be involved, DEI is not just for underrepresented groups.
- Training can help with discomfort surrounding DEI initiatives. While staff within an organization may not all agree, they do need to listen to each other to make a difference.