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Sydney Peterson

Transit Policy Analyst - Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Being selected as a 2023 Emerging Professional for the WTS Boston chapter has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. This opportunity has provided me with professional development – as a young professional, having such intentional guidance from a network of powerful women working towards the advancement of women is transportation has been remarkable.

One of the most significant benefits of my involvement with WTS Boston has been the opportunity to network with a diverse group of transportation professionals. The connections I've made have not only expanded my professional circle but have also provided me with unique insights and perspectives on the transportation industry. These relationships have proven to be instrumental in my career growth.

As an Emerging Professional, I have had the privilege of being mentored by WTS Boston Board Member Lisa Juan, an experienced and accomplished woman in the transportation field. This mentorship has helped me navigate challenges and opportunities within the transportation industry. The support and wisdom I've received have been a source of great joy and personal growth. It is a relationship I look forward to watering throughout my career.

WTS Boston has provided me with access to a wide range of professional development opportunities. From workshops and seminars to conferences and webinars, I've been able to continuously enhance my knowledge and skills in the transportation sector. These opportunities have not only made me a more effective transportation professional but have also boosted my confidence in my abilities. Having the opportunity to attend the WTS International conference in Atlanta, Georgia was profound, I was able to meet women making waves in the transportation industry at the state and federal level. Notably, having a one-on-one conversation with FTA Administrator Nuria I. Fernandez bolstered my confidence and inspired me seeing what’s possible.

Being part of WTS Boston has allowed me to take on leadership roles within the organization. I’ve had the opportunity to serve as co-chair of the DEI Committee alongside Ali Mattson, who has shown me what it means to be a leader. We were supported by Board Member At-Large Katie Kalugin. This has been deeply fulfilling, as I believe that fostering a more diverse and equitable field is not only a professional responsibility but a personal joy. My committee experiences have helped me develop essential leadership skills that will benefit me throughout my career.

WTS Boston is a community of strong, accomplished women in transportation, and being a part of this community has been truly inspiring. It has empowered me to aim higher and work towards breaking any barriers that may exist in my or others career path. Beyond the professional growth, I've also built genuine friendships within the WTS Boston community. The camaraderie and shared passion for transportation have created a supportive and fun environment where I've felt a strong sense of belonging.

I would like to thank Lisa Juan, Ali Mattson, Katie Kalugin, Lynsey Heffernan, and Laura Gilmore for their support and encouragement throughout this process, as well as the wonderful women I’ve met along the way – thank you.

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Angela Servello

Manager of Capital Data Strategy | Capital Program Planning - Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

I was thrilled to be a part of the WTS-Boston Emerging Professionals (EP) program in 2023. As the year comes to a close, I reflect on the three goals I set for myself at the start of the program: one related to my involvement in WTS, one related to professional development, and one related to my day-to-day work.

My first goal was to be actively involved in WTS through the Transportation YOU committee. Transportation YOU is a program that offers workshops and activities for young girls to spark their interest in the transportation field. I chose this committee due to my background in education and coaching, and because I believe in making STEM accessible and fun for young girls. While I was not able to attend the annual Transportation YOU Summit event in October, I did volunteer at the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts STEM Fest in April. The event was held at Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham, with a variety of organizations hosting STEM-related activities at booths stationed around the camp. Our activity was a truss chain reaction using popsicle sticks. It was so fun to show the kids how to build the chain, and watch them react with absolute wonder at the explosion of popsicle sticks when we let go!

In addition to committee involvement, my second goal this year was to get more comfortable with networking events and expand my professional network outside my organization. Networking events have never been my “thing” and my discomfort with attending them has always won out over the potential benefits of going and meeting new people. I have found an incredible sense of camaraderie with my colleagues at the MBTA, and have admittedly let that keep me from branching out and networking any further outside my organization. On the recommendation of a coworker I attended the WTS-Boston Welcome Reception in March, and was surprised at how much I enjoyed the event. I met many new people, including meeting my fellow EPs and advisor for the first time in-person. By the end of the event, I realized how much fun I had and found myself genuinely looking forward to the next time.

My third and final goal this year was to build confidence with in-person meetings in my day-to-day work. I started my job at the MBTA just a few months before the pandemic and in many ways, found my footing in this role during the era of all-remote work. I became very comfortable managing virtual meetings and quickly felt confident speaking up or offering new ideas in this environment. The transition to hybrid work has meant more meetings are happening in-person, and at first, I struggled to adjust back to the communication dynamic of an in-person meeting. I found I had to work harder to stay actively engaged in these meetings, now that we were all physically gathered around a table rather than a computer screen. Over the past year, I have settled into a consistent hybrid work schedule and am feeling much more confident and at ease in the in-person work environment.

The Emerging Professionals (EP) program has been a wonderful introduction to WTS-Boston and a great way in to getting involved in the organization. As a newcomer to the industry who started my job very shortly before the pandemic hit, I know that I would have struggled to meet people and get involved without the structure of this program. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to continuing my involvement with WTS-Boston in the coming years.