Image

As I complete my two-year term as WTS-Boston president, I have an enormous amount of pride and appreciation for all that we accomplished together.

My goals at the start of my presidency were to enhance member and sponsor engagement, leadership development, and access to low-cost programming that advances women and advances transportation. Below are highlights of our actions and impacts over the past two years.

Member and Sponsor Engagement. In 2023, we fully returned to in-person networking events. We have heard great enthusiasm from attendees, as evidenced by many sold out events and positive feedback. We remained committed to also offering virtual events to support professional development and connection for those who cannot easily commute into Boston. In 2024, WTS-Boston hosted 31 events, plus regular planning and coordination meetings to run committees and the organization. It’s an astounding amount of activity, and happens thanks to the dedication of our impressive volunteers, and the participation and support of our sponsors and members. Public Sector Engagement. We have actively collaborated with public agencies MassDOT, MBTA, and Massport to encourage partnerships with WTS International, expand memberships, and increase presence at events. M/W/DBE Engagement. We introduced reduced sponsorship rates for women-owned, minority-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises, and highlighted those firms on our website and at major events.

Leadership Development. I placed a significant focus on strategic planning with the WTS-Boston Board of Directors and committees. In addition to monthly board meetings, the Board of Directors met quarterly to think beyond operations to tackle broader topics. I strongly encouraged individuals to practice the fine arts of delegation and collaboration, which helps them grow individually and the organization grow our pipeline of future leaders. I greatly valued the bonding and insights shared when WTS-Boston representatives traveled to WTS International events including annual conferences and leadership summits. Such events provide a forum to exchange ideas and network with chapters across the country, and we bring the best ideas back to further enhance the benefits we offer to our members and sponsors.

Access - Mentoring. Our chapter identified an opportunity to attract more mid-career public agency and nonprofit employees to the benefits of WTS. Building upon our successful Emerging Professionals program for those with less than 5 years of post-graduate experience in the transportation industry, our chapter developed a new Emerging Leaders program for professionals with 5-10 years of experience. Each competitive program offers paid memberships, paid events, and a WTS-Boston advisor. It has been delightful interacting with all of our emerging professionals and emerging leaders, and seeing them bring their excitement to volunteer initiatives at WTS-Boston. Several former and current participants are continuing or starting chapter leadership positions in 2025. Access - DEI. We developed impactful content with the DEI committee, including monthly DEI-in-motion articles, DEI book club events, speaker panels, and joint events with COMTO Boston. Access - Youth. Our Transportation YOU committee continues to build wonderful STEM-based programming for youth ages 8 to 18. Access - Students. Our Student Chapter Committee now boasts two formal student chapters and outreach to more than four universities on an ongoing basis. Access - Scholarships. We disseminated $14,000 in scholarships thanks to the contributions of corporate sponsorships and through our annual golf outing.

Thanks to each volunteer, sponsor, and member for everything you do to support the mission of WTS to attract, sustain, connect, and advance women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry.

I wish you all peace and joy this holiday season. May you have the opportunity to recharge and renew for the year ahead.

With gratitude,

Gina Solman

WTS-Boston President