January/February Newsletter | |
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Abbey Gancz, PE, LEED AP
President, WTS Philadelphia
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Happy New Year! I’m honored to serve as your Chapter President for the 2025-2026 term and appreciate the dedication of our board members and committee volunteers.
After a meaningful year celebrating our chapter’s 45th anniversary with special initiatives, we’re looking forward to continuing the programs you value—insightful discussions with local transportation leaders, professional development opportunities, and our signature annual events that foster networking and collaboration.
A sincere thank-you to our sponsors who have already committed their support for the year. Your generosity makes our work possible. If you’re interested in sponsoring, we’d be happy to share more about the opportunities available.
I look forward to working together to strengthen our professional community and further our mission of supporting and advancing women in transportation. Wishing you all a productive and rewarding year ahead.
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If you are interested in membership or sponsoring our chapter, contact us! | |
Walk, Ride, and Thrive: Navigating Philly's Streets Together! | |
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The WTS Philadelphia Chapter kicked off 2025 in style, hosting our first event of the year at the prestigious Union League of Philadelphia in Center City. Participants gathered on January 15, for a luncheon and panel discussion titled Walk Ride and Thrive: Navigating Philly’s Streets Together!
Click here to read more and see photos from the event!
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Finding Value: The Benefits of Value Management | |
The WTS Philadelphia partnered with Lehigh Valley ASCE to host a dinner meeting featuring a technical session on Value Engineering. The dinner meeting was held at Madeline’s Restaurant in Fogelsville, PA on January 23. Guest speaker Alfred Tomaselli, IV, PE, PTOE, CVS, from Alfred Benesch & Company, presented “The Benefits of Value Management.” Al’s presentation included examples of real project applications using value methodology. Attendees were able to receive a PDH credit for the event. | |
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Be Bold! Communicate With Confidence and Compassion | |
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The WTS Philadelphia community gathered for an inspiring and transformative workshop featuring Tess Brigham, a licensed psychotherapist, certified coach, and TEDx speaker. Focused on balancing confidence and compassion, the session provided attendees with practical strategies to build self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and communication skills for personal and professional success.
Click here to read more.
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WTS Philadelphia at Future City Competition | |
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On January 18, WTS Philadelphia proudly participated in the Future City Competition, celebrating the innovative spirit and creativity of young minds in shaping the cities of tomorrow. As part of our "45 in 45" initiative from 2024, we were honored to serve as a Bronze Sponsor for this event. We had the privilege of presenting a Special Award, the "Advancing Women in Transportation Award."
Click here to read more and here to see photos.
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Building Bridges: Infrastructure and Public Works Opportunities | |
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On January 23, 2025, the City of Philadelphia and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) – in partnership with the Labor District Council (LDC), Contractors Association of Eastern Pennsylvania (CAEP), WTS Philadelphia, Everybody Builds, and SupplyPHL – hosted an infrastructure industry networking event, Building Bridges.
Click here to read more.
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Sapphire Awards Gala - Photo Booth Photos | |
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The photo booth at the Sapphire Gala Awards in December of last year was a big hit with our attendees.
Click here to check out the photos!
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We're now on Instagram! Follow us:
@WTS_Philly
Click here to visit our page.
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Applications for the WTS Emerging Leaders Program are Now Open!
Applications are due by March 7
The WTS Philadelphia Emerging Leaders Program is a free, in-person forum for women and gender-diverse professionals with 2–8 years of experience in the field. Participants will gain exclusive access to speakers, personalized development opportunities, and a strong peer network. Meetings take place every other month from April 2025 to December 2026 in Center City. Applications are open until March 7 at 11:59 PM.
Click here to apply now!
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Speeding Ahead on I-95: How it Started...How it's Going
February 25, 2025, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
The Notary Hotel, Philadelphia
Join us for an engaging discussion with the transportation experts leading the massive I-95 Reconstruction project! We’ll examine what’s been accomplished so far and what’s still ahead on the journey to modernizing the East Coast’s busiest highway. Our panel will dive into the latest construction progress on the CAP and Sector A projects and also share insights on the many phases of planning and design still to come.
Click here to register!
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2025 WTS Annual Conference
May 7-9, 2025
Toronto, Canada
The 2025 WTS International Annual Conference conference theme, The WTS Mosaic: Mobility + Momentum, highlights the culturally rich fabric of Toronto, while also addressing our industry's critical work to advance mobility, improve transportation access, and build collective momentum for the future.
More information will be available soon!
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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. | | |
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Employee Resource Groups in the Workforce and Transportation Industry
January
Employee resource groups (ERGs) provide an inclusive space to foster trust, build relationships with colleagues, and give a collective voice to underrepresented groups. In highlighting the importance of ERGs, WTS Philadelphia is honored to spotlight Brenna Schmidt from the City of Philadelphia, Patricia Macchi, and Asal Khanbilvardi from STV.
Click here to read more!
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Celebrating Black History Month: A Spotlight on Sarah Owens
February
In celebration of Black History Month, WTS Philadelphia is proud to spotlight Sarah Owens, Airport Sustainability Planner and Consultant with C&S Companies and Chair of the WTS Philadelphia Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Communications subcommittee.
Click here to read more!
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Envision Consultants, Ltd. (Envision) is thrilled to announce the addition of four highly skilled professionals to our team. This extension of staff is part of our ongoing commitment to providing a comprehensive suite of services to our clients and reinforcing our position as one of the leading woman-owned small businesses in the region.
Click here to read more.
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It’s hard to imagine a world without Engineers, for every day we benefit from their innovation, solutions, and perseverance. During this National Engineers Week, we thank them for making our every day safer, accessible, and better than the one prior. Their vital role truly shapes our future, never an individual effort but a team, collaborating and engaging one another for a better tomorrow.
Here is what Design Your Future means to some of our extraordinary engineering professionals. Click here to read more.
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TPD successfully completed its 9th annual “12 Ways of Giving Program,” – a holiday giving program in which TPDers support 12 causes in their local communities via volunteering and donations. The 2024 program yielded over $18,000 of donated funds and more than 90 volunteer hours.
Click here to watch the video and here to view photos!
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Urban Engineers is pleased to announce that Andy Cushman has rejoined the firm as Director of Business Development and Proposals. In this role, he will be responsible for the firm’s marketing, business development, and strategic efforts.
Click here to read more.
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Congratulations to Jaclyn Whelan, PE, Vice President of WTS, on being recognized as the 2025 Delaware Valley Young Engineer of the Year.
Click here for more information.
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Visit our website for exciting opportunities with our partners!
Current openings include positions with:
City of Philadelphia | Bowman | TPD
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If you'd like to post a job opportunity, please complete this form.
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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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