October 5, 2026

Dear WTS-GNY Members and Friends,


October is always an exciting month for WTS-GNY, and this year is no exception.

The centerpiece is, or course, our Annual Gala on October 14 at the Edison Ballroom. We are looking forward to bringing our members, partners, and friends together for an evening celebrating WTS-GNY and the women who continue to make an impact across the transportation industry. This year, we are honored to recognize Dr. Cheryl McKissack Daniel of McKissack & McKissack and the New York Building Congress as our Woman of the Year. We look forward to having Tom Scerbo of WSP introduce her.

We are also excited to welcome Erin Slayton, Chair of WTS International, and Odessa Phillip, Chair of the WTS Foundation, who will offer their remarks. Their presence will make this year’s Gala an especially meaningful opportunity to connect our members with the broader WTS community.

Another highlight of the evening will be our WTS-GNY Scholarship Awards, where we will recognize this year’s scholarship recipients. Supporting the next generation of women in transportation is a core part of WTS-GNY’s mission, and we are proud to celebrate these students and their accomplishments.

The Gala is not the only thing happening in October. Tonight, we’ll join APA and YPT for our annual Transportation Trivia Night. On October 7, our College Outreach Committee will host a virtual Resume Writing Workshop for students and young professionals, and on October 20, we’ll take a Technical Tour of the JFK Redevelopment Program.

There is a lot to look forward to this month, and I hope you’ll join us for these events. I especially can’t wait to see you at the Gala as we come together to celebrate the advancement of women in transportation.

Warmly,



Erica Swansen

President, WTS-GNY Chapter

WTS-GNY Diamond Corporate Partner Webinars

The WTS-GNY 2026 Diamond Corporate Partners Summer Webinar Series wrapped up with two engaging sessions highlighting the future of transportation infrastructure. The VHB panel brought together agency and industry perspectives on how transportation investments can balance immediate state-of-good-repair needs with longer-term goals for transit-oriented development, mobility, economic growth, and community connectivity. The PATH session explored major initiatives reshaping the 117-year-old railroad, including the recently completed PATH Forward program, which modernized tracks, infrastructure, and stations while improving service for millions of riders, along with future upgrades planned for tunnels, facilities, and service. Together, the sessions offered valuable insight into how transportation agencies and industry partners are modernizing existing infrastructure while preparing for future growth.

Learn from a Leader Series ft. Diane Kenneally

On September 14, the WTS-GNY Programs Committee hosted a Learn From A Leader (LFAL) session with Diane Kenneally, Acting Chief Operating Officer at the MTA B&T, for an inspiring discussion on leadership, personal empowerment and career growth. Drawing on her experience leading major capital programs, Diane shared insights into the importance of collaboration, resilience and mentorship in building successful careers and projects. The conversation also explored navigating challenges, advancing opportunities for women and shaping the next generation of industry leaders. A special thanks to IMEG for allowing us to share their space for this event.

Summer Technical Tour PANYNJ Bus Terminal

On September 24, WTS-GNY members traded conference rooms for the construction zone during an incredible technical tour of the Port Authority Bus Terminal Replacement Program, one of the most transformative transportation infrastructure projects underway in the region. Led by Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Amanda Rogers, Director of Construction, (and last year’s WTS-GNY Woman of the Year) the tour provided a behind-the-scenes look at the engineering, planning, and coordination required to reimagine one of the world's busiest bus terminals while keeping daily operations moving.

A huge thank you to the Port Authority team for opening the gates and sharing their expertise, and to our WTS-GNY members who joined us for a fascinating morning of learning, networking, and infrastructure appreciation. It's tours like these that remind us just how much vision, collaboration, and dedication it takes to keep our region moving.

Cheers to the Volunteers Who Keep WTS-GNY Moving! 🥂✨

On September 23, WTS-GNY's Board Members and Committee Chairs gathered for an evening dedicated to recognizing the incredible volunteers whose time, talent, and passion drive our chapter's success. From professional development and mentorship to scholarships, programs, events, and member engagement, our committees deliver outstanding programming much appreciated by the executive board and our chapter members.

The event was a chance to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the countless hours our Committee Chairs and Board Members invest in creating meaningful experiences and opportunities for WTS-GNY members. It was also a wonderful reminder that while our programs and events are what people see, it is the people behind the scenes who make it all happen. A heartfelt thank you to every Committee Chair and Board Member for your leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment to advancing WTS-GNY's mission. We are grateful for all you do and look forward to another year of collaboration, innovation, and success.

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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