August 3, 2026

Dear WTS-GNY Members and Friends,

As we reach the middle of summer, August offers an opportunity to reflect on all that our Chapter has accomplished over the past few months while looking ahead to an exciting fall. I hope you're taking the chance to enjoy some well-deserved time with family and friends and find moments to recharge before the busy season ahead.

One of the highlights of the summer was our Membership Appreciation Event, where we celebrated the incredible volunteers and members who make WTS-GNY such a vibrant and welcoming community. We continued our Diamond Webinar Series, Technical Tours, and held our second annual Young Professionals Speed Networking event, providing opportunities to learn from industry leaders, explore transformative transportation projects, and connect with colleagues across our region. Be on the lookout for more information about upcoming webinars and tours!

This month, our committees are busy preparing an exciting lineup of programs and events for the fall. We’re also excited to announce that registration for our Annual Gala has opened! We hope you join us on October 14^th at the Edison Ballroom as we come together to celebrate the achievements of our Chapter and honor the remarkable leaders who are advancing the transportation industry, including our Woman of the Year, Dr. Cheryl McKissack Daniel.

Whether you're a long-time member or recently joined the Chapter, I encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved. Serving on a committee, attending an event, or volunteering your time is a great way to build meaningful relationships, expand your professional network, and help shape the future of our Chapter.

As always, thank you for your continued support of WTS-GNY. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable rest of the summer, and I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Warmly,



Erica Swansen

President, WTS-GNY Chapter

SBA Series Webinar: How SBA Can Help Your Business


On July 15, WTS Greater New York, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), hosted the webinar, “How SBA Can Help Your Business: Capital, Counseling, and Government Contracting,” providing entrepreneurs and small business owners with valuable information on the resources available to support business growth and success.

The session highlighted SBA priorities and programs designed to help businesses access financing, including the SBA Lender Match tool and loan options such as 7(a), 504, Microloans, and International Trade Loans. Attendees also learned about additional resources, including surety bonds, R&D grants, investment capital, disaster assistance, business training, one-on-one counseling, and government contracting opportunities. The webinar offered practical guidance for businesses seeking capital, expert support, and pathways to compete for federal contracts, equipping participants with the knowledge needed to take the next step in growing and strengthening their organizations.

WTS-GNY Diamond Corporate Partner Webinars

This month, WTS-GNY hosted two engaging sessions as part of the Diamond Corporate Partner Webinar Series featuring industry leaders from across the transportation community. Karla Avis-Birch, Principal at Arup and former Chief Planning Officer at Metrolinx, shared insights on leadership, career growth, and her transition from the public to private sector during a discussion moderated by Kristy Tu (Arup).

TYLin sponsored Reimagining NYC's Streets: Creating People-First Corridors, where moderator Lian Farhi (TYLin) joined panelists from NYC DOT, Union Square Partnership, Hudson Square BID, and Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects & Planners to discuss innovative strategies for transforming New York City's streets into safer, more vibrant spaces that prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.

Both webinars provided attendees with valuable perspectives on leadership, infrastructure, and the future of transportation.  

WTS-GNY Members Get an Inside Look at 
Second Avenue Subway Phase 2


WTS-GNY members recently had the unique opportunity to visit the Second Avenue Subway (SAS) Phase 2 Community Information Center in East Harlem for a behind-the-scenes look at one of New York City's most significant transit infrastructure projects.

The event began with a presentation by Jeanie Paine, Program Executive of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), and WTS-GNY Vice President, Desiree Gazzo, who provided an overview of the Phase 2 expansion, project milestones, and the extensive planning and community engagement efforts supporting the project. Attendees gained valuable insight into the project's transformative impact on mobility, accessibility, and connectivity for East Harlem and the surrounding communities.

Following the presentation, participants donned hard hats and headed into the field for a guided tour of two key construction areas. The group visited the 125th Street and Park Avenue construction site, where early construction activities are underway, and then explored the 120th Street Bellmouth construction site, where the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is scheduled to be launched next year. Members learned about the engineering complexities of the work and saw firsthand the progress being made.



The visit provided WTS-GNY members with an informative and engaging look at the planning, engineering, and construction efforts that will help shape the future of transit in New York City. The chapter extends its sincere thanks to the MTA team and project staff for hosting this memorable and educational experience.

Membership Appreciation Event

WTS-GNY members celebrated another year of supporting women in transportation at the Membership Appreciation Event held Thursday, July 16th at Sixpoint Brewery. 

It was a lovely evening spent mingling among members, along with recognizing 
and welcoming our newest members to WTS. In support of the WTS Foundation, members participated in a 50/50 raffle. Sharon Lee was the winner, donating it back for a total of $400 raised for the foundation! 

If you are not a member and are interested in joining our chapter, you can do so at this link: Become a Member

Young Professionals Speed Networking Event

The WTS Young Professionals Committee welcomed 45 attendees to its second annual Speed Networking Event on July 28 at STV’s office. The event provided a unique opportunity for young professionals to connect with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and gain career advice in a casual and welcoming atmosphere. Guests enjoyed an evening of networking over wine and snacks while fostering new professional relationships. A huge thanks to STV for the opportunity to host an event and to all those who attended.

Hudson Peaks Consulting LLC 
is a trusted engineering, environmental, and construction materials testing firm delivering high-quality, responsive services to public and private sector clients across New York and New Jersey. As a certified M/WBE firm, Hudson Peaks is committed to integrity, technical excellence, and building long-term partnerships through reliable service and innovative solutions.

Our core services include Special Inspections, Construction Materials Testing, Geotechnical Engineering, Environmental Services, and Geophysical Investigations.

We serve as a Prime Consultant under multiple long-term contracts with leading agencies, including NYC School Construction Authority (SCA), NYCHA, NYS OGS (Downstate), NYS DOT Region 10, Brooklyn Navy Yard, and NYCHA Preservation Trust. These contracts reflect our proven capability to deliver full quality control and inspection services on complex, high-profile projects.

“Our mission is simple,” says Meraj Bhuiyan, President of Hudson Peaks. 

“We provide responsive, accurate, and dependable services that help our clients build with confidence and deliver projects safely, on time, and within budget.”

With a dedicated team of professionals, state-of-the-art equipment, and deep industry expertise, Hudson Peaks Consulting LLC is proud to support the infrastructure that strengthens our communities and connects our future.

Established in 1962, PS&S is an award-winning full-service architecture and engineering firm recognized for our integrated design, consulting, and regulatory compliance services.


We’ve cultivated a depth of expertise enabling us to serve a diverse portfolio of clients across sectors including infrastructure, education, energy, hospitality, and real estate. PS&S distinguishes itself by offering a single, responsive source for comprehensive planning and engineering solutions, seamlessly blending architectural and engineering disciplines to effectively address unique client challenges.


Recently honored by ENR as New York’s Design Firm of the Year and consistently acknowledged as a Best Place to Work by NJBiz thanks to our dedicated employees, we remain committed to delivering on-time, cost-effective, and high-quality results. With headquarters in Warren, New Jersey, and a strategically located network of regional offices, we’re well-positioned to serve clients across the Mid-Atlantic region.


Learn more about our firm at https://www.psands.com

Volunteer with WTS Greater New York

WTS-GNY is a volunteer-driven organization, and all of our programming for members and the broader transportation community is made possible through the dedication of our Board Members, Committee Chairs, and volunteers. To learn more about how you can get involved, click here:

If you are interested in getting involved, feel free to email us. 

WTS-GNY Fundraising

Help us reach our 50th Anniversary Fundraising Goal of $50,000!

All donations are committed to the WTS Foundation, which supports scholarships and student programming.

WTS Foundation is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions made to WTSF are deductible as charitable donations to the extent allowed by tax law. WTS Foundation is the successor organization to WTS Scholarship.

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