WTS Central VA Winter Newsletter 2024
Letter from the 2024 Chapter President
Dear Central Virginia Chapter Members and Supporters,
As I conclude my presidency of the WTS Central Virginia Chapter (Chapter), I wish to share a few reflections and tokens of gratitude. I begin with my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the Chapter membership for trusting me to lead this amazing organization for 2024. I’ve been involved in the WTS Central Virginia Chapter for a number of years and held a few different Board and Committee roles. As many people know, I live in Abingdon, Virginia and I was concerned about running the Chapter from such a far distance from Richmond. But, here we are and I did it!
This year, we focused on advancement for women in the transportation industry at all levels, providing a welcoming environment at all of our events resulting in connection amongst attendees and members, and embracing our confidence as professionals. Through this, we achieved maintaining WTS International’s mission which is to attract, sustain, connect, and advance women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry as a whole.
Our programming this year featured speakers at state and local agencies and private firms offering attendees insight and wisdom. Our TransportationYOU program not only maintained their annual webinar series, but they also participated in the NextUp RVA program teaching a series of classes to middle school students.
As my term as president ends, I am full of gratitude and my heart is overflowing with appreciation for all of the speakers who volunteered their time to take part in our programs, the incredible Board of Directors that not only supported me when I needed help, but they worked arm-in-arm alongside me, and to the Committee members who really knocked it out of the park with all of their efforts and commitment to the Chapter. This Chapter would not be nearly as successful without those folks sacrificing their time to help to complete our goals. I’m thankful for the new friendships made, existing friendships that got stronger, and for all the new professional connections I made.
One of my favorite quotes is by Rosa Parks, a female leader like no other. She said, “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it’s right.” While I entered this role a little fearful, as I settled in it felt right, like I was right where I was meant to be. We accomplished some great things, and I know as a collaborative group - we got it right!
Lastly, congratulations to the 2024 Board of Directors. I cannot wait to see what you accomplish in the next year. I know it will be amazing!
I hope everyone has a healthy and prosperous 2025!
Kindly,
Stephanie VanDyke
Welcome Central VA 2025 Board of Directors!
The Central Virginia Chapter is excited to introduce the following individuals as our incoming Board.
President
Alexa Overeem
Vice President
Caroline Rice
Treasurer
Iris Leoncio
Secretary
Nicholas McGhee
Director at Large
Brennan Collier
Director at Large
Krista Goodin
Director at Large
Lorna Parkins
We're Accepting Scholarship Applications!
The Central Virginia Chapter offers local scholarship awards in the amount of $500 for each of a number of scholarship categories for eligible recipients ranging from high school girls interested in undertaking careers in transportation; junior college scholarships for women pursuing transportation-related study at community and trade colleges; and scholarships for graduates and undergraduates pursuing degrees in transportation.
WTS's vision is the transformation of the transportation industry through the global advancement of women. To facilitate that goal, the next generation of leaders must be fostered and supported in their pursuits. Our Scholarship Program is one way that we demonstrate support. Please encourage future leaders in transportation careers and your interns to apply! Applications are now being accepted and can be found on WTS Central Virginia website here. The deadline to apply is January 1, 2025.
Annual Sponsorship Campaign
With the new year, we are offering the opportunity to support our chapter through corporate sponsorship. If your firm is interested in becoming a sponsor in 2025, please contact Kaitlyn Jenkins at [email protected].
Winter 2024 Recap
The WTS Central Virginia Chapter has rounded out 2024 strong with multiple professional development, networking, and educational events! Read more to see what we've been up to!
The Lands where on I now live: Findings from Archaeological Data Recovery at Barnesfield Plantation
On October 2nd, WTSCVA hosted a virtual event on the complex archaeological investigations which were conducted as part of the Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson/Parsons Brinkerhoff Joint Venture (JMT/PB JV) project in advance of the construction of the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge Replacement Project. The presentation focused on the archaeological data recovery at Barnesfield Plantation (Archaeological Site 44KG0171) in Dahlgren, King George County, Virginia. Site 44KG0171 is comprised of a Woodland shell midden and an eighteenth to nineteenth century plantation house and associated outbuildings. The archaeological data recovery explored the following themes: Architecture, Socio-Political Status, Subsistence, Civil War, and Woodland Shell Midden. As over 60,000 artifacts were recovered and analyzed for this project, this presentation will highlight objects that yield important information about 44KG0171, including pre-contact pottery, lithics, historic ceramics, personal items, military objects, archaeobotanical remains, and faunal remains. Overall, this presentation will analyze pre-contact and eighteenth- and nineteenth-century lifeways apparent at archaeological site 44KG0171 to interpret the site within the general pre-contact and historic context of the region.
Give Thanks Event
On November 7th the WTS Central Virginia Chapter held our November Give Thanks event for YWCA Richmond! We raised over $1,500 to provide hygiene kit supplies for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in our community. Thank you to ACEC Virginia for partnering with us for this event. Our original goal was $1,200 and it was amazing to exceed that goal! That allowed us more funds to buy hyenine kit items. Learning how these kits help victims and the impact of having simple day-to-day items ready for them when they are in need was really heartwarming. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the YWCA of Richmond in 2025.
2024 Member Recognition Happy Hour
On December 11th the WTS Central Virginia Chapter hosted our annual Membership Appreciation event at Triple Crossing Brewing Company where we celebrated our incredible members with thoughtful appreciation gifts from a local artisan. Stephanie VanDyke (Chapter President) and Alexa Overeem (Chapter Vice President) recapped our successful 2024 and discussed goals and volunteer opportunities for 2025. It was a fantastic night of networking, reminiscing, and celebrating our Chapter and one another's successes.
Upcoming Events
Keep an eye on your inbox or check out our Events page for details on the following upcoming events:
- Annual Transportation Trivia & Fundraising Program - February 2025
- Transportation YOU Outreach Series - Spring 2025
Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors
Each year, our Benefactor, Platinum, Gold, and Heart of Gold sponsors go above and beyond to support not only our chapter, but also our local community and women across the transportation industry. As we close out the year, we would like to take moment to extend our deepest appreciation for these firms who support our mission and Chapter goals.
Looking to Get more Involved?
Join a Committee
Make the most of your membership by joining one of our committees. Committees include communications, sponsorship, membership, programs, scholarship, and Transportation You. If you're interested in taking a more active role within the chapter, please contact our 2025 Chapter President, Alexa Overeem, at [email protected].
Transportation YOU Volunteers Needed
For the past four months, our membership has partnered with NextUp and City of Richmond Public Schools to offer our Transportation YOU weekly after-school sessions. For 2024, we worked with both Lucille M Brown and Thomas Henderson Middle School to bring STEM to 15 young women. We plan on volunteering again during the Fall Session (September - December) of the 2025-2026 School Year. From January - June, Transportation YOU will be focusing on our Transportation YOU webinars, attending career fairs and in-school presentations. Current members, in good standing, interested in volunteering their time should complete the volunteer form found here. Unable to volunteer your time, but still want to help out? Contact Savannah Amor Kappeler if your company is interested in sponsoring one of our weekly sessions.