WTS Central Virginia 2021 Summer Newsletter
Circle of Excellence Award
The WTS Central VA chapter is honored to be recognized as a 2021 Gold Chapter Circle of Excellence Award Winner. Announced during this year's WTS International Conference, the award recognizes our chapter's achievements in membership recruitment and retention, operations, communications, events, and professional development programs.
Updates from WTS International
Signature Leadership Training for Mid-Career and Executive Leaders
The Signature Leadership Program prepares women to lead the future of the transportation industry. Training will focus on professional development and learning how to manage others effectively; ultimately, for the advancement of the transportation industry as a whole and for those who use it.
WTS International began its Mid-Career Leadership Program, Leadership for the 21st Century, in 2000 and has grown into one of the organization’s premier leadership development opportunities. The program has been expanded to include the Executive Leader Program, the first of its kind for the transportation industry. An expert team of professionals created both programs, which are targeted toward women with promise for higher levels of responsibility and leadership.
This year, the program will take place virtually on October 11th through 15th. Applications close Friday, July 30th. View program details and pricing on the WTS International Website.
2022 WTS Annual Conference Location has been Announced
Next year's WTS International Conference will be held in Seattle, Washington! The annual conference will once again be held in person with the theme of "Expedition Northwest: Mapping Transportation For All."
Program Recap
2021 WTS International Conference
The WTS Central VA chapter hosted the 2021 WTS International Conference from May 10-14. This year's theme was "Activate and Elevate Our Future in Transportation" and offered five days of sessions with more than 90 expert speakers, along with networking and professional development opportunities.
We would like to give a special thank you to Secretary Valentine and Jennifer Mitchell for being such huge supporters of WTS and for all their efforts in getting Richmond selected as the conference host. In addition, thank you to Amy White, Lorna Parkins, Brennan Collier, and to the many other volunteers that worked so hard behind the scenes coordinating tours and content that really “Elevated” our chapter’s profile. This was the first virtual conference and one of the best attended WTS International conferences ever. Great work everyone!
State of Transportation
WTS Central Virginia’s State of Transportation in the Commonwealth panel discussion was held virtually on Thursday, May 20th to discuss the previous year’s impact on transportation in the Commonwealth of Virginia and envision what the future holds. Panelists included VDOT Commissioner, Stephen Brich, CEO and Executive Director at The Port of Virginia, Stephen Edwards; Secretary of Transportation, Shannon Valentine; and Director of DRPT, Jennifer Mitchell.
Secretary Valentine moderated this very informative and fun discussion. A recording of the WTS CVC State of Transportation 2021 Program can be viewed on our chapter's Youtube channel.
Women's History Month Virtual Book Club
On March 31st, the WTS Central VA chapter hosted a virtual book club discussion featuring “Boots on the Ground, Flats in the Boardroom: Transportation Women Tell Their Stories” to commemorate Women’s History Month. Attendees read about 18 different women and their pioneering achievements in the transportation industry - including running the Federal Aviation Administration during 9/11 and making seatbelts a standard feature in cars.
Kudos Corner
Welcome to the following new members of the WTS Central Virginia Chapter:
- Judy Beale, Woolpert
- Amy Samberg, RK&K
- Kelli Rowan, City of Richmond
- Dironna Clarke, City of Richmond
- Crystal Lowery, City of Richmond
- Janice Chisholm, City of Richmond
- Donna Iken, AECOM
- Kaitlyn Jenkins, Timmons Group
- Lindsay Valentino, Terracon Consultants
Thank You Sponsors
