Spring Newsletter

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President's Message We are kicking off spring and Q1 of WTS with some wacky weather (my poor daffodils!) and a few exciting events - two programs, two professional development sessions, and a DEI panel... and our upcoming Awards Gala, "Springtime in the City"! Snow squalls or 70-degree weather, we are looking forward to SEEING everyone on the evening of April 7th at the Awards Gala to honor our 2021 Award and scholarship recipients - IN PERSON! Better slightly late than never! AWARDS  WOMAN OF THE YEAR Yassmin Gramian Secretary of Transportation, PennDOT MEMBER OF THE YEAR Jaclyn Whelan Project Manager - Design, Conrail DIVERSITY AWARDS Division of Aviation City of Philadelphia and Carol Martsolf Chief Learning Officer, Urban Engineers Equity, Diversity + Inclusion Committee, WTS International EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR Michael Baker International INNOVATIVE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTION AWARD Rack 'Em Up Philadelphia Parking Authority WTS Philadelphia oTIS DVRPC Philadelphia Fire Department Office of Emergency Management SECRETARY RAY LAHOOD AWARD Carlton Williams Commissioner, City of Philadelphia Streets Department   PHILADELPHIA AWARD C.R. "Chuck" Pennoni Founder & Chairman, Pennoni SCHOLARSHIPS   TRANSPORTATION YOU HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP Sanaa Nicholson, Abington Friends High School SYLVIA ALSTON GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP Kenza Soufiane, University of Delaware CARMEN E. TURNER GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP Hannah Power, University of Delaware SUZANNE AXWORTHY UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP Angela Busheska, Lafayette College Shriya Karam, University of Pennsylvania CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP RRECIPIENTS Ruqaya Alfaris, Rowan University Anna Duan, University of Pennsylvania Bridget Guinan, Rowan University Tara Hofferth, Drexel University Nicole Khan, Temple University Helena Kim, Columbia University  Kate Sutton, University of Pennsylvania  Eight awards, 12 scholarship recipients, and 500 expected attendees... we can't wait to see YOU!

Events & Programs

Elevating the Airport Guest Experience

Airports are no longer just places for passengers to access flights. In February, we hosted a virtual event featuring several Philadelphia-based aviation industry experts to discuss what the City of Philadelphia - Division of Aviation and American Airlines are doing to elevate the Guest Experience. Read more & access the recording of the event!

City of Philadelphia's Transit Plan: Vision for 2045

On March 29th, our 230+ attendees heard from City transportation leaders on the direction of the Philadelphia Transit Plan after the first year of implementation and looking forward. Read more & access the recording of the event!

Public Speaking: Projecting Your Authentic Voice

This virtual presentation gave our 200+ attendees tools to use when public speaking, including 5 vital keys. Read more & see photos from the event! 

ENGAGINGLY SO: Bringing Equity and Inclusion into the Public Engagement Process

The WTS Philadelphia and Central PA chapters joined together to host a panel featuring industry leaders and professionals who lead public engagement for infrastructure projects throughout the country. They discussed the renewed focus and importance given to public engagement on infrastructure projects. Read more & access the recording of the event!

The Ethical Spectrum: Engineering Ethics

There is a long history of engineering ethics. It is a spectrum as there are gray areas within the realm of ethical behavior; not all decisions are black and white. Read more & see photos from the event!

DEI Corner Universal Design for Learning (UDL): It's All About Equal Access By: Carol Martsolf, PE, PMP, CPTD, LEED AP We all know about ADA and the need to incorporate that in our transportation designs. It’s the law. Have you worked on projects with curb cut ramps? Have you noticed that having curb cut ramps on sidewalks not only help those who use wheelchairs but it also helps so many other people: grocery store shoppers using carts full of groceries, or business people using rolling suitcases, or people roller-blading? Read more about UDL! 

In the News RACK 'EM UP Bike Parking Competition Advancing A winning team has been chosen and the prototype is being refined! Check out this Philadelphia Inquirer article for a full update. This competition is a collaboration between the Philadelphia Parking Authority, WTS Philadelphia, oTIS, the Philadelphia Fire Department, and OEM with the goal of creating more bicycle parking while working to reduce urban parking issues. 

Our Member Spotlights recognize true believers & achievers in the WTS Philadelphia chapter and mission!

Lee Wolfe, PE TRANSYSTEMS This Member Spotlight features Lee Wolfe, Sr. Project Manager at TranSystems. View Video

Parisa Hosseini STUDENT This Member Spotlight features Parisa Hosseini, President of the WTS Philadelphia Student Chapter & Rowan University PhD Student. View Video

Each issue of our 2022 Newsletter will include guest columns from leaders at our Platinum Sponsors’ firms. Check out our featured authors this month!

Urban Engineers: How to be a JEDI Ally!  Carol Martsolf, PE, PMP, CPTD, LEED AP VP, Chief Learning Officer And no, I am not referring to Star Wars. Instead of the Force, I am referencing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Read more!  TPD: Be the Mentor and Colleague You Appreciate  Nicole Khan Senior Engineer Being an engineer is an intrinsic part of my identity. It was not my first occupation, but it is my forever career. Read more! 

Our Student Outreach program has two sides: Transportation YOU: a STEM Outreach program for girls ages 13 - 18 Student Chapter: a college-based community that focuses on preparing regional students to be active & successful members of the transportation industry

Student Chapter Update: Personal Branding Event

During the 2022 Spring semester, our Student Chapter held a virtual Personal Branding event, hosted by Shakeyia Kersey of Moore College and Darcy Veneziale, CPSM of The Lighting Practice. During the event, both hosts taught students what to consider when building their authentic personal brand and how to best promote themselves in person and in this new virtual world as they begin to transition to professional environments and begin their careers within the transportation industry. To learn more about the WTS Student Chapter, click here!

Transportation YOU Update: College Panel

Last quarter, the students of Transportation YOU were virtually immersed in the realm of Ports! Guided by Anthony H. LoCicero III, PE, LEED AP of Burns Engineering, the TrYOU mentees learned how portside sanitation and container terminals are planned, designed, and located in urban setting to not only equally serve communities but also to minimize their impacts to surrounding areas.

After the presentation, the mentees went into their breakout rooms with their mentors to complete a resume workshop. There the students learned how to best present themselves in a resume and prepared for the upcoming Student Outreach resume book shared with our WTS Philadelphia corporate sponsors. If you are interested in molding the future of the Transportation industry, contact us to learn how to become a TrYOU volunteer/mentor this school year.

Get Engaged & Stay Involved

WTS Committees Our vibrant committees are always accepting volunteers - there truly is something for everyone. If you are interested in joining a committee, reach out to the corresponding Committee Director. Contact our Chapter Relations Director, Jaclyn Whelan, with questions. 

Sponsor Spotlight!

Passengers and flight crews on the inaugural flights receive pins to mark the day.

PHL is restarting service to several international destinations. This summer, PHL will have 15 daily transatlantic flights to 12 transatlantic destinations: Amsterdam Athens (resumes 4/5) Barcelona Dublin Lisbon London Frankfurt Madrid Paris Rome Venice (resumes 5/5) Zurich

Great News!

Assunta Daprano of AECOM was promoted to Deputy Project Manager! Assunta also serves as Scholarship Chair for WTS Philadelphia.

AnnMarie Vigilante, PE of Langan was recently promoted to Principal! AnnMarie also serves as the Awards & Recognition Director and Lehigh Valley PhilaLink Director for WTS Philadelphia.

Vanessa Nedrick, PE of Remington & Vernick Engineers was recently promoted to Principal. She is a shareholder and owner of the company - the first African American female shareholder in the company's history.

Have some good news to share? Send it to the Marketing and Communications Committee. 

JOB BOARD

Visit our website for exciting opportunities with our corporate and agency partners! CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE JOB BOARD!  Current openings include positions with: BERGMANN | Conrail | DVRPC | KMJ Consulting McMahon Associates | TPD

If you'd like to list a job opportunity, please e-mail the Marketing and Communications Committee. 

WTS Philadelphia | Contact Us  The Philadelphia Chapter of WTS was formed by 12 women on June 21, 1979. Since its formation, the Philadelphia Chapter has focused on promoting the development and advancement of women in the transportation industry.

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