WTS-Boston 2024 Emerging Leaders Reflections
Hear directly from our 2024 Emerging Leaders:
Carmen J. Melendez Colon, CAPM, PMP
Project Manager, Engineering
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Participating in the WTS-Boston Emerging Leaders (EL) program has been a remarkable journey. It feels surreal that what seemed like just yesterday—a time filled with eager anticipation for my application—has now culminated in the program’s conclusion. This experience has been crucial in shaping my professional development and broadening my network. I had the unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders such as Ryan Coholan, MBTA Chief Operating Officer, and Maribel Kelly, MBTA Deputy Chief of Capital Delivery. Our discussions provided invaluable insights into leadership and perspectives on the transportation industry.
I am particularly grateful for the guidance and support of Francisca Heming and Allison Sweeney. Their mentorship has been instrumental in my growth throughout this journey. Their advice and encouragement have inspired me to approach challenges with confidence and focus, helping me navigate both the program and my evolving career.
This year also marked a significant career milestone for me—my promotion to Project Manager. Updating my resume to reflect this achievement was a moment of pride. I was equally excited to be accepted into the MBA program at UMass Boston, starting in Spring 2025, which represents the next step in my professional and academic journey. My participation in WTS has been a source of inspiration, fueled by the wisdom and support of women who understand and excel in this industry.
Attending WTS-Boston events has further enriched my professional skills and expanded my network. Thanks to WTS, I also ventured into something I had always wanted to try—golfing! Volunteering at the WTS 32nd Annual Golf Tournament not only honed my skills but also allowed me to network in a fun and engaging setting. As a member of the WTS Golf Committee, I played a role in the event's logistics and planning, creating more opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
Through the EL program, I experienced both professional advancement and personal growth. I learned to step outside my comfort zone, especially in leadership roles and networking situations, significantly boosting my confidence. I am particularly thankful for the mentorship and guidance from the program's leaders and my peers. Their support, advice, and encouragement have been instrumental in my growth.
Looking ahead, I am excited to build on the foundation established during my time in the Emerging Leaders program. My next goal is to leverage these new skills and connections to make a meaningful contribution to the transportation industry and remain an active member of WTS-Boston. Being part of the WTS-Boston community has highlighted the power of shared goals and support in our field. It’s a community that fosters growth and inspiration, and I am proud to be a part of it as I continue my career journey.
Tara Kamal Ahmadi
Transportation Planner-Analyst
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
A year ago, I had just moved to Boston, missing my friends and family and eager to build new, supportive relationships. I’m incredibly grateful to my manager, Melissa Dullea, for encouraging me to apply for the Emerging Leaders Program and join the WTS-Boston community. From the moment I joined, I felt an immediate sense of relief and belonging. The warm, welcoming environment provided the support and kindness I was looking for, and I knew I was in the right place to grow personally and professionally.
One of my initial goals was to deepen my understanding of the transportation field and gain confidence in my career path, and the mentorship program has been invaluable for achieving this. My one-on-one time with Lisa Juan has provided guidance that has expanded my knowledge and strengthened my confidence. I’m also thankful to Dieckmann Cogill, who inspired me to pursue my AICP certification—a credential that will play a key role in advancing my career and helping me achieve my goal of becoming a certified transportation planner. Her encouragement and insights into her own career path have been truly motivating.
Volunteering with the Programs Committee has been another highlight of my WTS experience. Helping to organize luncheon events with Kari Richards and the team has offered fantastic opportunities to meet new people, reconnect with familiar faces, and build lasting friendships. Hearing inspiring presentations from successful professionals in the transportation field has motivated me to pursue both career growth and a balanced life. Listening to their stories has encouraged me to strive for similar achievements.
WTS-Boston has provided me with countless networking opportunities, helping me become more comfortable meeting new people and developing skills in event organization. I want to thank Francisca, Maria, Cassandra, Esty, Heidi, Gina, and many others for their unwavering support and friendliness. These connections have been instrumental in enriching my professional life and broadening my horizons.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue being part of the WTS-Boston community and look forward to meeting more inspiring individuals in this wonderful organization.
Anastasia Stevens
Data Specialist
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
I joined the Emerging Leaders cohort as an experienced data analyst with absolutely no experience in transportation. Learning the industry was one priority for me, and the primary reason I applied for the program. WTS-Boston’s committees and their work provided another reason to apply. The Communications committee welcomed me with open arms and encouraged me to design a series of Canva templates for social media and email use. These templates were presented to the Board, who enthusiastically approved the committee’s progress, and we will continue moving towards a standardized visual language across our social media posts.
Thanks to WTS-Boston’s sponsorship of events for Emerging Leaders, I attended the February luncheon to hear Reggie Ramos speak. My mentor, Ali, introduced me to several colleagues, all of whom were warm and welcoming. Speaking with women who work with non-MBTA transportation infrastructure, such as bridges (never knew what a vertical lift bridge was before this year) and highways, expanded my knowledge of the industry as a whole. (As an aside, people are very curious about the MBTA; the questions I received while networking and representing the MBTA at events drove me to deepen my domain expertise as quickly as possible.) Thanks to Ali’s early introductions, subsequent events such as the luncheon with Tiffany Chu, and the end-of-season awards banquet, became friendly, collegial meetups with new colleagues from HNTB, Jacobs, STV, M&J, HDR, and MassDOT.
I am in a stage in my career where I fit the profile for both mentor and mentee. My secondary goal with the Emerging Leaders program was to build up enough confidence to become a mentor. This year, I was paired with Ali Mattson, a project manager with HNTB with deep expertise in transportation projects of all types. Her experience and advice, and good taste in restaurants, demonstrated the type of mentorship I would like to perpetuate. She is curious and open to learning, open to the idea of the mentor/mentee relationship as a two-way street. We enjoyed trying new restaurants, and I was able to bring Ali to the MBTA’s rail Operations Control Center (OCC) for a tour led by a former dispatcher. Last quarter, through the Data Visualization Society, I was paired with a data analytics consultant who held me accountable for weekly assignments, provided a listening ear for venting, and shared her own work for inspiration. Thanks to Ali’s encouragement, and the expertise of these two deeply experienced mentors, I applied to become a mentor myself with the Data Visualization Society for the summer 2024 cohort– and was accepted! I begin my own journey into mentorship, this time on the other side, this summer.
As a new entry to the industry, having my cohort, Tara and Carmen, and the Emerging Leader team, Francisca, Maria, Heather, Cassandra, Estey and Laura standing with me this year has been extremely useful. Shoutout to Ali Mattson (and to Francisca for connecting us) for her constant support, conversation and great taste in food! This program set me up for success in my career in transportation and will continue to do so, thanks to the wonderful people I met this year.