Fall Newsletter

President's Message
WTS Philadelphia's Charitable Foundation funds grants for educational programs and scholarships related to the field of transportation, supporting the next generation of transportation leaders by offering programs and grants to students in middle school all the way through to graduate level.
 
Our annual Golf Classic outing is our Foundation's primary fundraiser. Proceeds from this event benefit the Foundation's activities – Transportation YOU Program (middle and high-school), Student Chapter (collegiate level), and scholarships (high school seniors, trade school, junior college, undergraduate, and graduate levels). I would like to send a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our volunteers, donors, supporters, and attendees for making the event such a success! (See below for more on that event.)
 
Through the support and generosity of our WTS members and supporters, the WTS Foundation provides thousands of dollars annually in scholarships to deserving women and students throughout the transportation industry, cultivating the next generation of a diverse and inclusive workforce, supporting future transportation leaders, advancing the principles of WTS, and creating educational programs.
 
As we kickoff the new school year, our Student Outreach Committee is full STEAM ahead in kicking off our '22-'23 TransportationYOU Program and Student Chapter activities. (More details on scholarship applications is also found below.) For additional information on our Foundation and student programs, visit our website. Thank you all for being a part of WTS's journey to supporting our industry's next generation of leaders!
Events & Programs
SHIPPING IS INCLUDED: Supply Chain Dynamics & Impacts on Transportation
WE'RE BACK, BABY! On Thursday, July 14th, we met for our first IN-PERSON PROGRAM since COVID-19 hit! Our panel of professionals from various public sector organizations did not disappoint! Read more and see photos!
ALL ABOARD: Amtrak’s 30th Street Station Transformation
We were ecstatic to welcome a sell-out crowd at the Urban League on September 14th for this session outlining the transformation story of 30th Street Station! The panel and crowd generated in-depth content and lively conversation, as Councilmember, Jamie Gauthier of District 3, guided the discussion. Read more and see photos!
Summer Lovin'!
On August 25th, we held our much anticipated Summer Lovin' event. Attendees enjoyed great food, music and networking at The Lucy. The success of WTS Philadelphia is credited to our volunteers, members and sponsors. Thank you to everyone who turned out for a great evening. Check out the photo gallery from the event!
4th Annual Golf Classic Raises Funds for Scholarship Program
The best part of any charitable golf outing is the fundraising, but as a sidebar to THAT... there are a million little nuances that add up to one great day of industry-centric fun. This was the case at our 4th Annual Golf Outing, held on Thursday, September 22nd at Bala Golf Club. More than $25K was raised to benefit the chapter’s scholarship fund.

The sell-out crowd included 144 golfers, a tenacious group of volunteers, and a few crashers from the club’s venerable Lady Bridge Team. The pace of play seemed to move faster than years past – which either means the teams are getting better… or folks just gave up sooner after being lured to lunch by the promise of waffles and ice cream. Either way, it made for a splendid day on the course.

The famous WTS Philadelphia raffle contained more than 30 prizes valued between $100 and $550. Donations included a backyard ziplining kit (the chapter assumes no liability), a name brand apparatus to make Wonka-esque fizzy lifting drinks, and weekend escape to Blue Bell’s Normandy Farms.

Sponsor support was a key part of the event’s success. Special thanks to the following firms/agencies:
WHEEL OF FORTUNE CONTEST SPONSORS: French & Parrello, HDR
REFRESHMENT CART SPONSOR: Traffic Planning & Design
SNACK STATION SPONSORS: C&S Companies, Rig Consulting
PUTTING CONTEST SPONSOR: Drive Engineering

If you missed it this year, next year’s outing is already in the planning stages. Reserve your foursome early! Check out photos from the event!
Learn from a Leader Summer Series

Following annual tradition, we hosted a unique series of summer events geared towards individual enrichment, with a focus on interaction and FUN!

These events are notorious for fostering some of the best and most frank discussions ever had with colleagues and friends. 

Programs included:

• Family Urban Living Life Hacks
• Golf 101
• Sustainable Transportation Planning, New • Zealand Style
• Creating Your Outdoor Oasis
• Avoiding Burnout - Fighting Fires & Managing the Clock
• Charcuterie Board Demonstration

Check out photos here!
Upcoming Events
WTS Philadelphia’s
Annual Awards Gala
Honoring our 2022 Recipients

Evening of: Thursday, December 1st

Location: Hilton Penn’s Landin
201 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19106


Details to follow

We'll see you at...
March of Dimes TB&C Awards Luncheon

November 2, 2022
Crystal Tea Room



Our Member Spotlights recognize true believers & achievers
in the WTS Philadelphia chapter and mission!
Masasi Lawson
GANNETT FLEMING
Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition & Inclusion
Nick McLaughlin
C&S COMPANIES
Department Manager
Chris Baker
DRJTBC
Manager - Contract Compliance
Each issue of our 2022 Newsletter will include guest columns from leaders at our Platinum Sponsors’ firms. Check out our featured authors this month!
STV: Advancing Equity in Infrastructure

Athena Ullah
Chief of Staff

Today, more than ever, it is important that we leverage our diversity of experiences to deliver the most inclusive and equitable transportation solutions possible... Read more!

GPI: G.R.O.W. (GPI Resources & Outreach for Women)

Julie Stone
Marketing Coordinator

Spotlight on a successful initiative: GPI created an internal social group that seeks to make a difference by providing a forum for women to connect, share experience and expertise... 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
Transportation YOU (TrYOU)
September Kickoff with Schuylkill River Banks Tour
TrYOU is back in full swing! On September 17th, TrYOU kicked off its program year with students for a walking tour of the Schuylkill River Banks with Joe Syrnick, President/CEO, and Blaise Syrnick, Director of Operations! It was a picture-perfect day to learn about the Schuylkill River Trail, as mentees and mentors saw first-hand how the trail helps to connect people and neighborhoods all across the city – from making sure the snow melts off the boardwalk to providing free, composting bathrooms. 

Interested in learning more about the program? Registration is still open! Email us to learn more!
Student Chapter
Scholarship Announcement
WTS Philadelphia awards scholarships to individuals who identify as a woman or gender-minority at the high school, junior college/trade school, undergraduate, and graduate levels who are interested in pursuing careers in transportation. The scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant's specific transportation goals, academic record, transportation-related activities, and other relevant skills. Scholarships range in value between $500 to $3000. Apply today - great opportunity for students, interns, and co-ops!

Visit our website for more information, applications, contact information and more!
Call for Mentors
Mentor Mixer
On October 12th, our Student Chapter will host a mentor mixer event to kick off the second Student Chapter Mentor Program. We will pair students with mentors and share resources to help facilitate dialogue and build a valuable professional relationships. We anticipate this to be a 1x monthly commitment.

  • If you are interested in repeating your role as a mentor, we’d LOVE to have you join us! 
  • Or, if you have an awesome colleague that would be an excellent mentor, and may not be involved with WTS Philadelphia yet — please consider forwarding or sharing their information with us so we can reach out! 
  • Send your RSVPs and your nominations to Cory and Carrie.

Thank you for your consideration of this program, and for your continued support to help us curate a valuable program for the students. We know the mentor program will be mutually beneficial for our professional chapter peers and students alike, and we appreciate the time and dedication you share with this group. 
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.

Great News!
Emani Majors, Project Manager at Gannet Fleming, presented an AI and Technology-focused webinar, "You Can Run, but You Can't Hide: Technology's Growing Impact on Our Industry", through Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) on August 25th.

Emani's presentation covered embracing the fourth industrial revolution - a revolution centered around AI and similar technologies, and how to prioritize innovation within your company and empower employees to create solutions to key reoccurring issues. Watch the webinar recording.
Aero Aggregates' Chief Technical Officer, Theresa Andrejack Loux, Ph.D., P.E., was recently announced as the 2022 recipient of the Robert and Mitchell Landreth “Steward of the Environment” Award. This award honors Robert E. Landreth, a research director at the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Theresa received this award due to her hard work, drive, and passion to create sustainable products and reduce waste on our planet. Read more about the award.
Members of WTS Philadelphia enjoyed joining together with COMTO Philadelphia's membership for their annual scholarship golf outing in August. COMTO's outing provides financial support to minority students for their post high school education. (Photo at left: Erica Antoine, Devonne Jackson, Patti Gibson & Lydia Grose)
Have some good news to share?

Visit our website for exciting opportunities with our
corporate and agency partners!


Current openings include positions with:
AECOM | Amtrak | Burns | DVRPC | Drive Engineering | FHA | HDR
JBC | KMJ Consulting | McMahon | Michael Baker Int'l
Susquehanna Civil | TPD
**NEW PROCESS ALERT!**
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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.