Nadine S. Lee

A few years ago, I walked into a meeting and was immediately met with a huge smile from a Japanese architect — the only other Asian in a room of many. We had a spontaneous and palpable connection that caused others to ask if we already knew each other. We had never met before, but it was clear that it can simply be exciting to see someone else in the room who looks like you. AANHPI Month celebrates the representation and contributions of the AANHPI population, in pursuit of greater participation across all industries and sectors.



I often reference the Nike ad featuring Olympic swimming champion Simone Manuel that says, “Be the first champion like you, then make sure you’re not the last.” As a female AANHPI leader, I am committed to paving the way for other AANHPI stars to influence and shape our future, for the benefit of everyone. We must all ensure that AANHPI aspiring leaders have both the opportunities as well as the nurturing environments to excel and succeed, during AANHPI Month and throughout the year.

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Dev Rastogi

As an Asian American woman with over three decades of leadership in transportation and infrastructure, AANHPI Heritage Month is a meaningful opportunity to honor the resilience, innovation, and quiet contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders who have helped shape America’s cities and mobility systems. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility—especially for Asian women navigating male-dominated fields like engineering and public works. I’m proud to see growing representation and mentorship networks lifting up the next generation.

I hope my legacy in transportation is defined by delivering customer-focused, industry-leading infrastructure that is resilient, sustainable, and future-forward—solutions that strengthen communities while creating real pathways for other Asian women and women of color to lead boldly at every level. Whether through major infrastructure programs or day-to-day mentorship, I want to be remembered for opening doors wider, helping others climb higher, and showing that technical excellence paired with inclusive leadership can drive lasting change.

I’m also deeply honored to have been recognized as a WTS Woman of the Year award recipient. I want to thank Lani Marshall and Susan Nidam for nominating me—Lani’s leadership as a fellow AANHPI woman in the industry has been especially inspiring. WTS plays a vital role in empowering women across the transportation industry through advocacy, professional development, and networking opportunities that help close the leadership gap. This award reinforced my commitment to mentoring, advocating for diversity, and ensuring the next generation of Asian women sees themselves as future leaders in transportation.

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Sincerely,