WTS St. Louis and supporters gathered together on April 3, 2025 to honor and celebrate our scholarship and award winners at our first gala post-pandemic. It was an amazing evening to celebrate! Our notable guest, Erin Slayton, Vice Chair WTS International provided remarks about the organization, including a highlight of the St. Louis Chapter's accomplishments throughout our post-pandemic rebuild era. Keynote speaker, Tanya Adams, COMTO First Vice Chair, teamed up with Sophia Roth, WTS St. Louis Chapter President for a fireside chat highlighting the importance of an inclusive work environment and the steps that need to be taken to get there. 

Congratulations to the following WTS St. Louis Scholarship and Awards Winners: 

Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship: Grishma Basnet, EIT (SIUe)

More about Grishma: Grishma is a Masters student in Civil Engineering with a focus on Transportation at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She will graduate in May 2025. Grishma is well on her way to becoming a well rounded engineer. She plans to develop the technical and professional expertise needed to address the challenges of urbanization, climate change, and evolving societal needs. As an international student, she brings a global perspective to transportation challenges, drawing on a diverse background to propose adaptable and inclusive solutions.

Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship: Breanna Booth (SLU)

More about Breanna: Breanna is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics with a concentration in Flight Science. She will graduate this Spring, one year earlier than originally anticipated. Bre’s passion for flight and her determination will propel her towards reaching the dreams of becoming an airline pilot while inspiring the next generation. She is engaged in not only her goals, but in the goals of exposing young women to opportunities in flight available to them.

Woman of the Year: Susan Trautman (Great Rivers Greenway)

More about Susan: Susan has spent her entire career improving communities by guiding the development and enhancement of greenway trails, parks and open spaces, and recreation centers. Her 15-year tenure at Great Rivers Greenway has driven the transformation of the greenway network in St. Louis. By continually collaborating with other transportation agencies, she positioned greenways as a vital way for people to get around. She has contributed to the shifting culture in our region by making it an important, necessary standard to provide options for people to walk, bike, and roll to their destination. Under her leadership, the greenway network has doubled in size, from 68 to 135 miles of greenway trail.

Member of the Year: Sophia Roth (Crawford, Murphy, & Tilly)

More about Sophia: Sophia is the current President of the St. Louis WTS Chapter. She has dedicated her time to both revitalize and expand our local chapter by successfully building up a board, helping increase membership, and spreading her passion. She also serves as a mentor to those who are new to WTS, she has helped the chapter set attainable goals and made sure we brough back events like the WTS Scholarship and Awards Gala that WTS is hosting tonight. This has all lead to the growing success of WTS St. Louis Chapter. Sophia’s energy for WTS is contagious and her commitment to advancing women in our industry is inspiring.

Advancing Women in Transportation Award: Tricia Bohler (Civil Design, Inc)

More about Tricia: Tricia serves as an inspiring leader to many early and mid-career transportation professionals in the region. In her role running the transportation team for CDI, Tricia is out front, sharing that women can compete and do deserve leadership positions. In addition to her role at CDI, Tricia serves as the co-chair for conference planning for the America Public Works Professionals Missouri Chapter. In this role, she supports programming that is committed to expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion amongst public works professionals, including a commitment to advancing women in the profession. Tricia serves as a friend and mentor to many, answering calls and offering advice during every phase of your career.

Employer of the Year: EFK Moen, LLC

More about EFK Moen:  Under the leadership of Linda Moen, current President of the organization, EFK Moen is a great place to work as a woman in the transportation field. Linda supports women – inside and outside of EFK Moen – in their pursuits and careers in the transportation industry. EFK Moen has always been an active sponsor of WTS, supports and encourages their employees to actively participate in WTS events. EFK Moen is owned by a partnership, three of the five current owners are female including majority owner Linda Moen with females representing 64% ownership of the company.