45 Female Transportation Pioneers, Leaders and Rising Stars
In honor of our 45th anniversary, our EDI Committee is highlighting 45 female transportation pioneers, leaders and rising stars throughout the year that have made an impact, continue to make us proud, and demonstrate the inextricable link between women and the success of our industry.
1) Lois Cooper
Lois Cooper’s love of math would change the transportation industry. Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1931, Ms. Cooper studied mathematics at Los Angeles City College in Los Angeles, California, the only black woman in her class. She became the first female African American transportation engineer at the California Department of Transportation. Long before computers or calculators, Ms. Cooper was one of the best in her department at calculating freeway alignment through trigonometry. While at Caltrans, she became the 2nd woman in the State of California to pass the professional engineers (PE) exam, passing the exam on her first attempt while caring for two children, her sick husband, and dealing with personal health challenges. Ms. Cooper persevered in the face of great discrimination and personal challenges and was passionate about serving as a role model throughout her life. In an interview, she reminisced on her experiences, saying, “I go to talk to schools on career days, and act as a role model for the kids.”
2) Bessie Coleman
Just over 100 years ago, Bessie Coleman became the first Black person to earn an international pilot’s license. After several unsuccessful attempts to enter aviation schools in the United States, Ms. Coleman, undeterred, taught herself French and entered the Caudron Brothers School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. Ms. Coleman returned to the U.S. still barred from working as a pilot. Instead, she became a stunt flyer performing at air shows across the U.S. and speaking at churches, schools, and community events to share her story and encourage more people of color to enter the field of aviation. We salute Ms. Coleman for her pluck, her confidence and her paving the (air)way for Black men and women pilots today.
3) Carmen Turner
In 1983, Carmen Turner achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Black woman to assume leadership at a major public transit agency— now the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Under her visionary stewardship, the Metro system underwent a remarkable expansion, boasting an impressive network of 73 miles and 63 stations. Notably, WMATA earned the prestigious title of the nation’s premier rail and bus transit system during Ms. Turner's tenure as General Manager. In addition to these impressive accomplishments, Ms. Turner emerged as a passionate advocate for civil rights and equal opportunity programs, leaving a lasting mark on these crucial areas throughout her distinguished career. The WTS Philadelphia Foundation honors Ms. Turner’s life and legacy through the Carmen E. Turner Graduate Scholarship each year. This scholarship is awarded to deserving women pursing graduate degrees in a transportation-related field.
4) Elizabeth Jennings Graham
Everyone knows the significant legacy of Rosa Parks and the impact she made on the civil rights movement. But have you heard of Elizabeth Jennings Graham? She is considered the “Rosa Parks of the 19th Century.” In the 1850s, horse-drawn streetcars emerged as a common mode of transportation. These streetcars, owned by private companies, enforced segregated seating and even barred access to Black men and women. In 1854, Elizabeth Jennings Graham, an organist at the First Colored Congregational Church, faced discrimination when she was forcibly removed from a streetcar. A lawsuit was filed, resulting in a landmark 1855 court ruling that declared equal rights for on public transportation. The jury awarded Ms. Jennings Graham damages, leading to the desegregation of the streetcars and eventually contributing to the broader desegregation of New York's public transit services by 1865.
5) Toyin Ogunfolaj
Toyin Ogunfolaju has over 20 years’ experience in the infrastructure and government relations industries. She leverages public/private/non-governmental partnership models as the foundation to identify opportunities and practices that promote regenerative social systems. She is the Director of Social Value & Equity Americas at Jacobs. Her role supports clients in embedding sustainable social, economic environmental solutions within their infrastructure, which can manifest itself through prioritizing equity in capital planning/execution, community benefits, workforce development, local supply chain sourcing, and meaningful community/stakeholder engagement. She has expertise in executive leadership, community engagement, and operations management. She is called upon to analyze critical requirements, identify areas of opportunity, generate solutions, and implement programs.
6) Mary Lou Moore
A graduate of Lehigh University in Mechanical Engineering, Mary Lou Moore worked in the Facilities, Real Estate & Auxiliary Services Group and the Maintenance & Operations Department at Amtrak. Later in life, Ms. Moore was a proud stay-at-home Mom, working two part time jobs at the YMCA and Patterson Schwartz Real Estate in addition to volunteering at her children’s school and attending sports events.
7) Donna Powell
Donna Powell worked at the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority for many years, now known as PhilaPort. In her role at PhilaPort, Ms. Powell currently serves as the agency’s Director of Procurement. Ms. Powell also served on the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Board of Commissioners from 2017 to 2022.
8) Karen Gelman
Karen Gelman became actively involved with WTS Philadelphia when she started work at Amtrak in 1995 as a capital planner. A long-time Amtrak employee serving in a number of roles over 25 years, Ms. Gelman retired in 2020 in the role of Senior Infrastructure Planner. Since retiring, Ms. Gelman has volunteered for Represent PA, an organization the supports progressive women candidates in the PA State Legislature. In 2023, Ms. Gelman rekindled her love of tennis, international travel, and welcomed two new beautiful grandchildren into her family.
9) Carol C. Martzolf
With more than 30 years in the transportation industry, Carol Martsolf is a true inspiration. In addition to her present role as Chief Learning Officer at Urban Engineers, Ms. Martsolf is Chair of the Delaware County Sustainability Commission, was recently appointed to the Philadelphia Electric Company’s (PECO) Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, and continues to serve on the Committees of our WTS Philadelphia Chapter.
10) Tummona Fisher
Tummona Fisher has served at the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority for over 25 years managing community relations in the maritime industry. Ms. Fisher is skilled in work with non-profit organizations, operations management and international trade.
11) Linda Saris
In 1979, Linda Saris and 11 other women founded the WTS Philadelphia Chapter. She recalled WTS as an extremely inclusive organization and a “lifesaver” for her and her female peers; it was a safe place to ask questions, get advice and gain industry knowledge. We extend a big THANK YOU to Ms. Linda Saris for pioneering our WTS Philadelphia Chapter.
12) Barbara Thomas Harder
Barbara Thomas Harder served as a Principal at B.T. Harder Inc. from 1988-2018, her own Women-owned business focused on strategic management of transportation research, technology and innovation implementation. She was one of the original 12 founding members of WTS Philadelphia.
13) Patricia M. Vrabel
Patricia Vrabel had a long and successful career including work in the Transportation Industry at the PA Turnpike Commission and in the telecommunications industry at the former United Telephone Company of Pennsylvania. Upon retirement, Ms. Vrabel was an employee of Dickinson College in Carlisle. Ms. Vrabel enjoyed volunteering, playing cards, and travel. She passed away in 2010 survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Joseph, and her daughter, Susan. We honor her memory and service to WTS Philadelphia.
14) Diantha Stevens
Diantha Stevens worked at Conrail when she was President of WTS Philadelphia. She worked there for 17 years, having a variety of responsibilities and roles, including finance, real estate, marketing, and sales. She also managed the environmental process for projects. Later in her career, she became Tax Collector for the Borough of Malvern.
15) Anne O. Poole
Anne O. Poole has had a long career in transportation including roles as a Review Analyst at Advanced Systems & Technology Management and on the New Jersey Environmental Lobby Committee. Prior to this, Ms. Poole worked as a Transit Analyst at Mundle & Associates, and a Management and Financial Consultant at EMMA Associates. She graduated from Temple University in 1982, with an MBA in Economics. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
16) Kelley Yemen
Kelley is Director of Complete Streets for the City of Philadelphia with ten years of experience focusing on multi-modal transportation. She leads the City’s Vision Zero and Complete Streets efforts. Previously, Kelley was the Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator for Hennepin County, MN, and before that a Pedestrian Planner and Project Manager within the Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs at the NYC DOT, and an Urban Designer for A. Nelessen Associates in NJ.
17) Elizabeth Lankenau
Elizabeth Lankenau, AICP has a diverse and extensive work experience in urban planning and historic preservation. Elizabeth H. started her career in 1997 as a Historic Preservation Planner for the City of Philadelphia Historical Commission, where she documented and reviewed changes to historic resources. In 2000, she joined McCormick Taylor, Inc. as a Historic Preservation Planner, responsible for ensuring compliance with federal historic preservation regulations in transportation projects. Elizabeth then worked as a Municipal Planner and Historic Preservation Specialist for KSK Architects Planners Historians, Inc. from 2004 to 2014, overseeing development review and public communication on various projects. In 2014, she joined the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) as an Infrastructure Planner, where she helped establish a partnership along the I-95 corridor and co-created a lead service line replacement program. Currently, Elizabeth holds two positions at the City of Philadelphia. Elizabeth H. serves as the Director of the Office of Sustainability since 2023, focusing on sustainability initiatives, and also as the Director of Infrastructure Program Coordination since 2017, coordinating infrastructure programs for the city.
18) Annemarie Byrnes
With a career spanning more than 20-years, Annemarie Byrnes has worked on transportation issues within the public and private sector and is the current Diversity and Compliance Manager at Promatech, Inc. Ms. Byrnes has worked on over 300 projects in transportation and commercial corridors.
19) Carol Rose
Carol Rose is a Senior Engineer and project manager with more than 25 years of experience managing railway projects. In addition to serving as our 19th WTS Philadelphia President, Ms. Rose served as Vice Chair for the WTS Northeast Region Council from 2016-2018 and as a WTS International Advisory Board Member from 2019-2020.
20) Megan Clayton
Megan Clayton is a Consultant and Civil Engineering Analyst with a variety of experiences in vertical, rail, highway and bridge construction projects. Ms. Clayton is currently a Senior Engineer at Philadelphia Engineering, Design, and Technology firm, Pennoni.
21) Patti Gibson
Patti Gibson May is a true leader in transportation with demonstrated success in marketing strategy and business development. Ms. Gibson May is a member of the Engineer’s Club of Philadelphia, a member of the WTS Philadelphia Board, and served as our 21st WTS Philadelphia President.
22) Dr. Kalpana Chawla
Dr. Kalpana Chawla was an Indian American aerospace engineer and astronaut, with both instructor and commercial pilot licenses. This exceptionally talented woman logged over 30 days in space during her tenure as an astronaut. Dr. Chawla was lost too soon when returning from a mission, the Columbia Shuttle STS-107 disintegrated upon re-entry into the atmosphere.
23) Dianne Chong
Dianne Chong was the 10th Asian American woman to be accepted into the National Academy of Engineers at her induction in 2017, earning her election for “advances in process and production technologies for composites in large commercial aerospace vehicles”. She is a retired Vice President of Boeing, with her work there focused on material engineering. Chong was the first woman president of ASM, and a former President of ABET.
24) Mimi Aung
Mimi Aung, an electrical engineer, spent various parts of her childhood in Myanmar, Malaysia, and the US before finding herself at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL). While at JPL, she acted as manager of the ingenuity project, which saw the first controlled extraterrestrial flight, occurring for 39 seconds on Mars in 2021. In 2022 she was inducted into the NAE.
25) Dr. Swati Mohan
Dr. Swati Mohan an Indian American aerospace engineer is also a member of the NASA JPL group. She has been on the Mars Rover project since 2013. As the project’s guidance and controls lead, while serving her role of monitoring the 2021 rover descent to the surface, she also acted as narrator for the public viewing of the monumental achievement.
26) Margaret Wu
Margaret Wu is a Taiwanese American scientist, chemical engineer, and inventor that helped to revolutionize the automotive industry through her expansive contributions to the field of synthetic lubricants. She has been inducted into the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame and NAE.
27) Josephine Santiago-Bond
Josephine Santiago-Bond is a Filipino American electrical/systems engineer and Chief of the advanced engineering development branch of NASA. Being with NASA since 2004 Josephine has had her hand in many projects, including more than one lunar mission.
28) Abbey Gancz, PE
Abbey Gancz serves as a project manager in Urban’s transportation group out of the firm’s Philadelphia headquarters. She is a graduate of WTS’ Mid-Career Leadership Program. Professionally, Ms. Gancz has worked on some of Philadelphia’s most important projects for Urban, including the ARLE-funded Citywide Intersection Improvements, South Broad Street Pedestrian Safety Improvements, and the recently completed Filbert Street Transformation Project at Reading Terminal Market. She is a graduate of Drexel University.
29) Pat Smith-Green
Pat Smith-Green was the first African American President of WTS Philadelphia. Her long career included experiences as a Program Manager, Community Outreach Coordinator, and workshop presenter with roles at the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the School District of Philadelphia, and the Mayor’s Commission on Aging
30) Suzanne Axworthy
For more than 25 years, Suzanne Axworthy was a public transportation and accessibility advocate in Philadelphia. Ms. Axworthy’s professional roles included work for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), for Wheels, a paratransit firm and, as a private consultant. In 2001, the Philadelphia WTS Chapter proudly announced the Suzanne Axworthy Undergraduate Scholarship as a memorial to Ms. Axworthy’s years of dedicated service.
31) Nancy Greene, Esq.
As an accomplished senior-level attorney, Ms. Green has experience at Amtrak as well as in work for the U.S. Federal Government implementing and enforcing the laws that apply to the federally-assisted public transportation program.
32) Denise Bailey
Denise Bailey has more than 30 years of experience in government compliance in civil rights and grants management and in driving diversity and accessibility in transportation. Ms. Bailey is the current Vice President of Business Diversity and Accessibility for the City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation. Ms. Bailey continues to serve WTS as a member of our WTS Philadelphia EDI Committee.
33) Jeanne Conroy
Jeanne Conroy had a long and successful career in the rail industry at Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail). She was also a key member of WTS Philadelphia throughout the 1990's. We honor Ms. Conroy and her contributions to our Chapter!
34) Anna Lynn Smith, AICP
Anna Lynn Smith has over three decades of experience in the transportation industry leading a variety of transportation and management projects for railroads, transit agencies, and departments of transportation in North America. Ms. Smith is the current Vice President of Strategy & Planning at Amtrak here in Philadelphia.
35) Sylvia Alston
Sylvia Alston dedicated her life to transportation and supporting women in transportation. Sylvia spent over 20 years at Amtrak including, Officer of Supplier Diversity. She had an extraordinary commitment to WTS and received the WTS Philadelphia Member of the Year award in 1996. The Chapter honors her commitment to WTS through a graduate scholarship in her name.
36) Erica Antoine, PE
Erica Antonie is a highly skilled engineer and project manager who oversees complex projects for major public transit agencies in her role at Burns Engineering. Ms. Antoine served as Vice Chair for the Upper Gwynedd Township Environmental Advisory Council from 2020 - 2022. We thank her for her service on the current WTS Board of Directors and as or 22nd WTS President.
37) Api Appulingam, PE, AAE
WTS Philadelphia President, Api Appulingam, is the first Chief Development Officer for the City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation, overseeing a multi-billion dollar program at one of the largest airports in the United States. An engineer and true leader, Ms. Appulingam serves WTS Philadelphia as our first Asian American President and 23rd President overall, standing on the shoulders of 22 prior Presidents.
38) Nuria Fernandez
Fernandez, a woman of Jamaican descent who was born and raised in Panama, immigrated to the United States to pursue a degree in civil engineering. In her 30+ year career in transportation she has served many important transit agencies throughout the nation, including, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Chicago Transportation Authority, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
39) Lindsey Graham Dixon, PMP, CMIT
Lindsey Graham Dixon became active in WTS Philadelphia after receiving the Carmen E. Turner Graduate Scholarship in 2013. She is currently the Director of Chapter Relations for WTS Philadelphia and has served on numerous committees throughout the years. She is also a graduate of WTS International’s Signature Leadership Training. Lindsey has worked at HNTB Corporation for over 10 years – as a Transportation Planner and now has found her niche as a Senior Office Engineer in Construction Management. Lindsey enjoys competitive dancing with BollywoodTech Philly and volunteering as a Big Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program.
Click here to read her article on managing mental health at work!
40) Kristen Weber
In honor of Veteran’s Day, WTS Philadelphia honored U.S. Air Force Veteran and Sponsor Recognition Chair, Kristen Weber. Kristen served 27 years in the Air Force (Active Duty and Reserves) as a Survival Equipment/Aircrew Flight Equipment Technician, a Quality Assurance Technician, a Career Advisor, and an Air Transportation Technician. Kristen was stationed in Alaska for approximately six years while on active duty. She then transitioned back to civilian life to pursue a civil engineering degree and to continue her military career as an Air Force Reservist.
Click here to read more about Kristen!
41) Chellie Cameron
The former CEO of the City of Philadelphia, Department of Aviation (DOA), Chellie Cameron was responsible for overseeing operations of both the Philadelphia International and Northeast Philadelphia Airports. Ms. Cameron was the city’s chief aviation representative in local, state, national, and international affairs. She was responsible for the operation of the airport system, and directed the planning, development, and administration of all airport activities during her tenure. She served on Philadelphia’s aviation leadership team for 11 years. Prior to this role, she spent 13 years working for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and served for 7 years as an active-duty officer in the United States Air Force and 1 year as an Air Force civilian employee. She is now the President & CEO of The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and continues to make important contributions to transportation and our region. We are grateful for her excellent representation of women in aviation soaring to new heights!
42) Rina Cutler
The late Rina Cutler was an inspiration to many, serving in many leadership roles including as the City of Philadelphia’s Deputy Mayor for Transportation from 2008 to 2015. In that role, Ms. Cutler oversaw the former Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU), which was eventually reconfigured into the present day Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS). She also served as Senior Director of Major Station Planning at Amtrak from 2015-2018, Deputy Secretary of Administration for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation from 2003-2008 and Executive Director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority from 1994 to 2000. Ms. Cutler’s passion was connection- whether through volunteering and mentorship or in connecting rail, airport, and city transportation systems.
43) Yassmin Gramian
Yassmin Gramian served as the Secretary of PennDOT from 2020 to 2023. At PennDOT, she managed an annual budget of $9.5 billion and oversaw programs and policies affecting highways, urban and rural public transportation, airports, railroads, ports, and waterways. Ms. Gramian is a professional engineer in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and the state of Florida. Before assuming her leadership role at PennDOT, she served as a consulting engineering executive for leading firms, such as Jacobs, HNTB, and WSP. She now serves as a transportation industry advisor. Ms. Gramian is an example of women rising to the highest levels of State government to lead and represent the needs of all Pennsylvanians.
44) Leslie Richards
Leslie Richards fearlessly led the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) as its General Manager through the most challenging times in recent history. This included sustaining itself through the COVID-19 Pandemic, transitioning from tokens to the SEPTA-Key system, and navigating a budget shortfall of more than $200 million. Prior to her role at SEPTA, Ms. Richards served as the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Montgomery County Commissioner, and the chair of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. She currently serves as Professor of Practice in the Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. A true champion for transportation and transit systems and an inspiration to the women and men who will follow in her footsteps, we thank Ms. Richards for her example of navigating challenges even in the most difficult of circumstances.
44) YOU!
Our final spotlight for 45 female transportation pioneers, leaders and rising stars is a mirror which holds the potential for infinite reflections. To every woman in the transportation industry, the mirror in front of you is more than just a reflection—it's a testament to your strength, resilience, and unwavering determination. When you look into it, see a leader, an innovator, a trailblazer who is shaping the future of mobility. Whether behind the wheel, in the boardroom, or in the design of transportation solutions, you are breaking barriers, defying expectations, and proving that no challenge is too great. So look in the mirror, and embrace the incredible woman staring back at you. You are capable, you are valuable, and you are unstoppable. The journey is yours to lead.