September/October Newsletter | | | |
Abbey Gancz, PE, LEED AP
President, WTS Philadelphia
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This week, my four-year-old was home sick, which meant the usual balancing act between parenting and work. Somewhere between conference calls and checking on him, I realized something had changed. For the first time, he was perfectly content playing independently for stretches of the day while I worked nearby.
It was a small moment, but one that reminded me how often change happens gradually, almost without us noticing. We get so focused on what's next that we sometimes miss the progress that's already occurred.
This time of year feels a bit like that. The days are getting shorter; we'll be setting our clocks back this weekend, and our chapter is shifting into its end-of-year rhythm. The Golf Outing is behind us, scholarship selections are around the corner, our Gala award recipients have been chosen, and planning is underway for the events and celebrations that will bring the year to a close and transition us to a new Board.
I'm proud of what our chapter has accomplished this year, and I'm excited about what remains ahead. As we move into these final months, I'm looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our members, recognizing emerging leaders through our scholarship program, and gathering together at the Gala to honor those who continue to make a lasting impact on our industry.
As we head into the final stretch of the year, I'm reminding myself to pause every now and then, take a walk, crunch through some leaves, and appreciate where we are before rushing ahead to what's next.
| | | | If you are interested in membership or sponsoring our chapter, contact us! | | |
Celebrating Our Sponsors at Summer Lovin’ 2026
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This year's annual Summer Lovin’ event was another success at The Franklin Institute, bringing together our sponsors for an evening of networking, food, and refreshments.
The event is an opportunity to connect with our sponsors and recognize their continued support of WTS Philadelphia and our work throughout the year.
Click here to read more.
| | | Investing in SEPTA: Building the Future of the Region | | |
WTS Philadelphia recently held a panel presentation at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia that brought together Jessica Herman (Chief of Staff at SEPTA), Michael A. Carroll, P.E. (Deputy Managing Director for the City of Philadelphia), Matthew Edmond, AICP (Executive Director of the Chester County Planning Commission), and moderator Alexis Williams, AICP, PP (Planning Director at STV, Inc.) to discuss how transportation projects drive economic growth, support sustainability, and enhance regional connectivity across urban and suburban corridors.
Click here to read more.
| | | Power of Mentorship - Building Connections that Shape Your Future | | |
WTS Philadelphia recently hosted a Learn From a Leader (LFAL) panel titled The Power of Mentorship: Building Connections that Shape Your Future. The evening featured an engaging panel of industry leaders, including Toyin Ogunfolaju; Danielle Schroeder, PE, ENV SP; Vince DeFlavia, PE; and Ayesha Hassan, PE, with Amy Liu, ALCP, CM, serving as the event’s moderator.
Click here to read more.
| | | Hard Hat Tour of the Final Race St (SR 1004) Intersection Improvements | | |
The Lehigh Valley Annex Committee recently toured the nearly completed Race Street/Lehigh Street Intersection Improvement Project in historic Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Led by Ben Bayuk of PennDOT District 5-0 and Jen Leibig of TRC Companies, the group viewed the new traffic patterns and signalized intersections, completed bridge construction, and the finished D&L Trail segment. Attendees received one PDH.
Click here to read more.
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Women and Finance
November 12, 11:30-1:00 PM
HNTB, 1600 Market St, Philadelphia
Join WTS Philadelphia on November 12 for an insightful lunch session with Ty McGilberry of Pegasus Financial Planning.
Learn practical strategies to build wealth, manage finances, and plan for your future with confidence.
Free for WTS Philly members!
Click here to register.
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WTS Philadelphia Scholarship Awards & Networking Event
November 23, 5:30-7:00 PM
McCormick Taylor, 1818 Market Street, 16th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Save the date for our annual Scholarship Awards and networking event.
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WTS Philadelphia 2026 Awards Ceremony & Gala
December 3, 5:30-9:30 PM
Vie, 600 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Don't miss out! Join us to honor the people and projects that move us.
Click here to register.
| | Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of WTS with the vision for full equity and access for women in transportation. The WTS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee sets strategic goals and actionable solutions to attain equity and access. This column will highlight how our chapter is focusing on and celebrating EDI - a great learning opportunity and way to share resources with our members. | | | | |
Meet the Student Chapter & Scholarship Committees
The WTS Philadelphia Chapter Relations Committee plays a vital role in supporting the chapter’s mission by building and strengthening relationships with sponsors and agency partners. Through ongoing outreach and engagement, the committee helps sustain the partnerships that make all of WTS Philadelphia’s programs, events, and initiatives possible.
Click here to read more.
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Meet the Emerging Leaders Committee
Emerging Leaders is a forum for early-career women and gender-diverse professionals to come together as the next generation of transportation leaders in Philadelphia. As an Emerging Leader, you gain access to a network of peers, exclusive speakers, personalized development events, and a front-row seat to all that WTS Philadelphia has to offer!
Click here to read more.
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Our Student Outreach program has three sides:
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Transportation YOU (TrYOU): a STEM Outreach program for girls ages 13 - 18
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Student Chapter: a college-based community that focuses on preparing regional students to be active & successful members of the transportation industry
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Scholarships: annual program that awards individuals at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels who are interested in pursuing careers in transportation.
| | Historic Swing Bridge Tour | | |
The WTS Philadelphia Student Board, led by Belen Labarta Galan, Aashna Jain, Cory Wyffels, PE, and Blaire Miran, PE, was pleased to bring together students from Penn, Temple, Drexel, and other nearby universities for a site visit to the Schuylkill Crossing Pedestrian Swing Bridge.
Click here to read more.
| | | Transportation YOU Girls STEM Seminar | | |
The Transportation YOU (TrYOU) Girls STEM Seminar is a free, bimonthly program for girls in grades 6–12 during the 2026–2027 school year. Through mentorship from transportation industry professionals, participants explore exciting careers and discover how transportation impacts everyday life.
Click here to learn more.
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For more than 70 years, Dewberry has been providing professional services to clients across the U.S. and is committed to serving the present and future needs of Pennsylvania. With nearly 65 employees located across the state, more than 30% of its local staff are women, including those in operational, technical, and leadership roles. Dewberry’s company-wide employee resource group focused on women includes more than 330 participants nationwide.
A proud supporter of WTS since 2018, Dewberry celebrated its 70th anniversary in April.
Click here to read more.
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Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages retained G&A for grant funding assistance to support streetscape improvements at its Philadelphia property. G&A prepared a successful grant application that secured $1M from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Multimodal Transportation Fund.
Click here to read more.
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When thousands of people arrive at once, moving them safely and efficiently becomes an infrastructure challenge of its own.
At the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, GFT helped address that challenge with the new Meadowlands North Pedestrian Bridge. Completed in 2026, the $33 million, 27,000-square-foot bridge spans 175 feet over Route 120, creating a direct, accessible connection between parking facilities at American Dream and the plaza at MetLife Stadium.
Click here to read more.
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This past August, three years after establishing its Philadelphia branch, Huitt-Zollars (HZ) celebrated an exciting new chapter with the opening of its permanent office located at Two Logan Square in Center City Philadelphia. The new space provides the Philadelphia team with a dedicated home to collaborate, connect with clients, and support the continued growth of HZ’s work throughout the region.
Click here to read more.
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Connecting people starts with safe, accessible, and reliable transit. JMT is proud to support SEPTA’s $44 million improvements to 11th Street Station, a key transit connection in Center City Philadelphia. Modernized station features and accessibility upgrades will enhance the experience for those who rely on the station every day.
The result will be a stronger connection to the jobs, services, and destinations that keep Philadelphia moving.
Click here to read more.
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At Kittelson & Associates, we’re committed to creating safer, more connected communities through innovative transportation solutions. From bicycle safety education to supporting the City of Erie’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Safety Action Plan, our team is proud to make a positive impact across Pennsylvania.
Click here to read more.
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Pennoni is proud to celebrate WTS member Megan Clayton, PE, on her appointment as Regional Vice President. In her new role, Megan will lead Pennoni’s Construction Management, Construction Inspection, and Fabrication Inspection Services.
Click here to read more.
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TPD is proud to be named one of Best Companies Group’s Best Places to Work for Women, earning the No. 16 national ranking in the large company category in its first year participating.
The recognition is based on an independent assessment of company policies and practices, along with feedback from employees.
Click here to read more.
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Urban is excited to share that Katherine (Katie) Markowitz has been promoted to Environmental Services Department Manager. In this new role, she will oversee the department's project delivery, operations, staff development, business strategy, and overall growth.
Ms. Markowitz has comprehensive knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations, and her extensive NEPA expertise will further strengthen the Department.
Click here to read more.
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Visit our website for exciting opportunities with our partners!
Current openings include positions with:
SEPTA | FTA | Jacobs
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If you'd like to post a job opportunity, please complete this form.
| | New job, or updates for your contact information? Make sure to update your account information on the WTS International portal! Click here to login and verify/update! | |
WTS Philadelphia | Contact Us
The Philadelphia Chapter of WTS was formed by 12 women on June 21, 1979. Since its formation, the Chapter has focused on promoting the development and advancement of women and minorities in the transportation industry.
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