National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th each year. WTS Philadelphia is delighted to spotlight five Hispanic women that have made significant contributions to our industry and our region.  

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Flora M. Castillo, C.H.I.E.

President of Pivot Strategies, LLC

For over 30 years, Flora Castillo has been dedicated to improving access to opportunities for underserved communities, amplifying the voices of transit-dependent customers and transportation-sector employees, and finding solutions that enhance health and social outcomes of individuals. As a C-suite executive, advisor to transit agency leaders and president of Pivot Strategies, LLC – a consulting firm specializing in transportation, healthcare, and insurance – Flora has garnered numerous awards for her innovative contributions.

Born and raised in El Salvador, Flora immigrated to Long Island, NY in 1981. She received her bachelor's degree in Management Business Administration from Long Island University in Southampton, NY. She has been active in WTS since 1999, served on the WTS international Board of Directors, and received the WTS NY/NJ’s Woman of The Year and the Rosa Parks Leadership Awards.

Flora’s expertise in business has translated into societal and economic benefits, promoting healthier and more stable lives for individuals from all backgrounds. In recognition of her achievements, she was appointed as an advisor on health, equity, and vulnerability populations for the Mobility Recovery & Restoration Task Force by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). As the first Latina chair of APTA, Flora prioritized the role of public transit in addressing social determinants of health and improving access to healthcare services through strategic partnerships with organizations such as American Public Health Association, Federal Transit Administration, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Known for her insightfulness and ability to build relationships, Flora has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives that prioritize individuals’ well-being.  Notable projects include UnitedHealthcare’s (UHC) first-ever partnership to provide on-demand rides for members; adopting emerging technologies to modernize the needs of New Jersey Transit paratransit customers; launching APTA’s Emerging Leaders Program; and launching SEPTA’s SCOPE program in partnership with SEPTA’s director of outreach programs that created the agency’s nationally recognized and award-winning program to address the challenges of the vulnerable population — including people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health issues — on its system.

Flora’s influence extends beyond her professional achievements. She is regarded as an experienced policymaker and a thought leader, supporting the next generation of transportation leaders at COMTO Philadelphia, Latinos In Transit and multiple boards including National Urban Fellows, Mpact (formerly Rail-Volution), APTA, The Routing Company, Inc., Cambridge Systematics, Inc., WHYY, Inc., Atlantic Cape Community College and Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc.  Flora served over two decades as a senior policymaker and member of the board of directors at the 3rd largest statewide public transportation agency in the USA, New Jersey Transit.  Appointed by former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, Flora was the first Latina and youngest member of the board and served under 7 Democratic and Republican administrations.  She chaired the Board’s Customer Service, Safety and Administration Committees overseeing an annual capital and operating budget of more than $3.6 billion and 10,978 employees.   In August 2023, Flora was appointed by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to the Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity (ACTE).  In this capacity, Flora and 23 national leading experts will advise the Secretary on issues related to civil rights and expanding access to jobs and economic opportunities in transportation for all communities U.S.

 

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Sophia L. Plata, Ph.D., E.I.T.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Engineering, Swarthmore College

Dr. Sophia Plata is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Engineering at Swarthmore College and will be joining Harvey Mudd College in January 2024 as an Assistant Professor. Her research focuses on alternative water treatment and the water-energy nexus. Sophia aims to solve critical contaminant and energy challenges across potable and industrial applications to increase water reuse. Before her position at Swarthmore, Sophia completed her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Southern California in 2021 and her B.S. in Civil Engineering from Widener University in 2015. Sophia is committed to advancing underrepresented communities in STEM and has held regional and national leadership positions in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). Currently, she is an advisor for the Swarthmore SHPE chapter and is also an active member of the American Society for Engineering Education.

 

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Stephanie Gago 

ITS Engineer, Arup

Although born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Stephanie Gago is native to North Philadelphia where she grew up with her parents and 4 siblings. Stephanie obtained a B.S. Civil Engineering with a focus in Transportation from the Pennsylvania State University. She is currently an Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Engineer at Arup and is based in New York City. Stephanie has contributed to quite a few large ITS projects and her experience ranges from the design, integration, construction, and operations of an Integrated Corridor Management System (ICMS), Network Communication design, and research on equitable and sustainable ITS and pedestrian safety solutions! She is passionate about people and driving awareness around equity, not only within her career, but also through her time spent serving as a member and Vice President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Greater Philadelphia Chapter. Stephanie spends most of her free time with family and her two dogs Leo and Frida and loves to travel internationally whenever she can!

 

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Iliana Limon

Project Manager, McDonald Building Company

Iliana Limon graduated from Drexel University in 2001 with a dual Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Civil & Architectural Engineering. She began her studies at Drexel University in 1996 and joined the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) organization as an undergraduate.  Iliana continued as a professional lifetime member in the SHPE Greater Philadelphia Chapter. She has served in various volunteer positions such as Professional Chapter President, Conference Committee Chair, International Committee Chair, and on the national board as Regional Vice President.  

Iliana began her career in the construction industry in various roles such as Project Engineer, Superintendent and Project Manager.  She has been involved in constructability reviews, budget and contract management, mechanical/electrical (MEP) coordination and scheduling.  Some notable projects Iliana has managed throughout the greater Philadelphia area include The National Constitution Center, Love Park reconstruction, SEPTA Elevated Train system, Joseph Biden Amtrak Station historic renovations, and large new construction projects for Temple University and luxury residential buildings. Iliana is passionate about professional growth and development of project teams. She is currently working as Project Manager at McDonald Building Company, and has been part of the founding and leading the “Safety Quality Production” Training Program to continue mentoring all project team members.

 

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Wanda López Bobonis

Senior Manager Facilities Development, Amtrak

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wanda López Bobonis discovered her interest in architecture and design while watching her father work for some of the most prominent architects in the Island. An award-winning draftsman with over five decades in the business, her father taught Wanda some of the most essential tools she would ever need in her career: dedication, integrity, and hard-working ethics. By the time she was in high school, she was assisting her dad with sketching, measuring buildings, and drafting. Wanda was the only one, from three daughters, to think that her father’s work was fun, and she knew this was what she wanted to do for a living.

In 1996, with the opening of the New School of Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Wanda was part of the first graduating class, completing her Bachelor of Architecture in 2003. After finishing undergrad, Wanda knew she wanted more, so she decided it was time to brincar el charco (move to the United States) to achieve this. Leaving Puerto Rico was one of the hardest things she had ever done, and it was terrifying. Wanda didn’t know anyone in Philadelphia; at a new place all by herself, she was exposed to a different and more diverse culture. She had to start thinking and speaking English daily, which was a demanding task. This move, however, made her develop the courage and strength that has carried her through for the past twenty years.

In 2005 Wanda completed her Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. Since graduating from UPenn, Wanda has worked in the architecture and historic preservation field with various local firms including S. Harris & Company (now J&M Preservation Studio), RMJM Hillier Architecture (closed in 2010), and Delaware County based historic architect John Bowie Associates (JBA). The work at JBA led Wanda to her first railroad project, the restoration of the Main Hall and Retail Concourse at Amtrak’s Washington Union Station in DC.

In 2014, Wanda joined CH2M Hill (Jacobs) and AECOM Joint Venture to work on Amtrak’s ADA Stations Program, as a design project manager and third-party coordinator for projects nationwide. In 2017 Wanda formally joined Amtrak where she has held various management roles within the Stations, Facilities and Accessibilities Group, currently serving as Senior Manager for Stations and Facilities Development supporting new stations development projects through initiatives such as Amtrak Connect US and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Some of her most notable work at Amtrak includes early design development for the station improvements at New Carrollton, MD, the introduction and implementation of the Facilities Maintenance Services Contract for Amtrak’s Southeast Region, project management for stations renovations to support the restoration of the Gulf Coast Amtrak service, and upgrades to Amtrak Station Planning and Development Guidelines.

As a Hispanic woman in a field mostly dominated by men, Wanda has embraced all the opportunities that have opened for her throughout her career. She has always felt supported and included, especially at Amtrak. Wanda considers herself lucky to work and collaborate with incredible professionals and mentors, which have contributed to shaping her career throughout these years. She hopes to continue building a successful and meaningful profession and to become a mentor for others interested in pursuing a similar path in transportation. Wanda’s upmost priority is to set an example, especially for her daughter, that with focus, will and dedication, she can achieve anything she sets her mind to – just like her parents taught her.

In 2021 and 2022 Wanda was recipient of Amtrak CEO Circle Awards for her role during the COVID-19 Response and her work related to Amtrak Connect US. She is also currently a member of Amtrak's Hispanic/Latinx Employee Resource Group (ERG), UNIDOS (con propósito), and Amtrak’s LGBTQIA+ ERG, Express Pride.