#CWWMN2022
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 8:00 –10:00 am • Ronald Reagan Building, Washington, DC
Industry Partners Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation 2022
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About COMTO The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) is the voice for equity in transportation. Founded in 1971, COMTO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing those underrepresented in the transportation industry. With 35 chapters in the U.S. and Canada, COMTO’s mission is to ensure opportunities and participation in transportation for minorities, veterans, people with disabilities and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, advocacy, partnership building and networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.comtonational.org. VISION Our vision is to ensure full access for minorities in transportation while preparing and positioning leaders for rapidly evolving global opportunities. MISSION Our mission is to ensure opportunities and maximum participation in the transportation industry for minority individuals, veterans, people with disabilities and certified MWDBE businesses through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, political advocacy, partnership building and networking opportunities.
Contents
Welcome.........................................................................................................................................4 Awards Program.........................................................................................................................5
COMTO National Leadership..............................................................................................6
COMTO Council of Presidents...........................................................................................7 Past Honorees..............................................................................................................................8 Sponsors......................................................................................................................................11 Living Legend Honoree......................................................................................................12 Advocacy Honorees..............................................................................................................15 Aeronautics Honoree...........................................................................................................19 Aviation Honoree...................................................................................................................21 Federal Government Honoree.......................................................................................22 Local Government Honoree............................................................................................23 Logistics Honoree...................................................................................................................24 Micro Mobility Honoree.....................................................................................................25 Private Sector Honoree.......................................................................................................26 Public Sector Honorees......................................................................................................27 Public Transportation Honorees....................................................................................31 Shirley DeLibero Woman Who Moves the Nation Honoree........................35
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Welcome
Welcome to the 10th annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation (CWWMN) awards ceremony, hosted by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). In observance of Women’s History Month, COMTO recognizes and honors remarkable women making meaningful contributions to the transportation industry across modes, and forging a path of upward mobility for the next generation as glass ceilings are shattered. In a moment of reflection and gratitude, we are thankful to have the opportunity to celebrate in-person, after nearly two years navigating pandemic related disruption. As we embrace a hybrid world, we are also proud to have virtual guests joining the celebration from across North America. The 2022 CWWMN honorees are a phenomenal group of women representing a wide variety of transportation modes and professions including: Advocacy, Aeronautics, Aviation, Federal Service, Local Government, Logistics, Micro Mobility, the Private and Public Sectors and Transit. These trailblazers embody all that COMTO stands for, a representation of leadership in transportation reflecting the complex mosaic of those served. Please join us in celebrating 16 amazing women, leading, advancing and transforming transportation, moving the Nation and beyond! Sincerely,
Tanya Adams
April Rai
Chair, Board of Directors
President and CEO
Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials
Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials
Vice President
Inclusion & Diversity, WSP USA
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Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation 2022
Awards
PROGRAM
Opening Remarks
April Rai, President and CEO Tanya Adams, Board Chair
Introduction of Emcee Doris McMillan, McMillon Communications
Presentation of Awards Moment of Reflection and Gratitude Breakfast is Served Presentation of Awards Keynote Address The Honorable Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) 52nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Closing Remarks Tanya Adams, Board Chair
Voice of COMTO: Frank Oglesby, Jr.
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National
Leadership
NATIONAL CHAIR Tanya Adams Vice President, Inclusion & Diversity WSP USA FIRST VICE CHAIR Sharmyn Elliott Vice President Somat Engineering Inc
SECOND VICE CHAIR Gwendolen Gray Project Controls Director & Vice President HNTB
Dr. Lester Woods Chief Administrative Officer Missouri Department Of Transportation (MoDOT) COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS REPRESENTATIVE Quincy Howard Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Administrator Central Ohio Transportation Authority (COTA) Christopher Macklin Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Diversity Compliance Officer Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)
SECRETARY/TREASURER Michelle Hiett Revenue Systems IT Consultant Hatch LTK
COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS REPRESENTATIVE ALTERNATE Lidy Chan Risk Financing Manager Massachusetts Department Of Transportation (MassDOT)
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Freddie Fuller Vice President, Geographic Sales Manager Mid-Atlantic Jacobs
BOARD ADVISOR Renee Banks President & Chief Communications Officer G. W. Peoples Contracting Co., Inc. (GWP)
MEMBER-AT-LARGE Regine Beauboeuf Senior Vice President, Director, Infrastructure & Mobility Equity HNTB
Christian Kent Principal Transit Management Consulting, LLC
Yvette Janniere-Houlder Lead Program Management, Enterprise Applications Metropolitan Transportation Authority, State Of New York (MTA) Ruben Landa Assistant Vice President / Texas Business Leader Communications & Public Involvement WSP USA
CELEBRATING WOMEN WHO MOVE THE NATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS Tanya Adams: WSP USA Rhonda Briggins: Jacobs Carmen Garcia: ABRAC, LLC Greer Gillis: Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Ivoire Lloyd: SYSTRA USA Emille Williams: Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
Melissa Rolle-Scott Transit Section Chief, Office Of Safety & Security Miami-Dade Department Of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW) 6
Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation 2022
Presidents COMTO 2021-22 COUNCIL OF
CHAPTER PRESIDENT Alabama........................................................................................Brenda Perryman Arizona...........................................................................................Gary Flunoy Atlanta............................................................................................Aaron Davis Austin..............................................................................................Arash Saeed Boston.............................................................................................Lidy Chan Central Florida..........................................................................Carla Williams Chicago..........................................................................................Bryan Robinson Cincinnati.....................................................................................Adriene Hariston Cleveland......................................................................................Jarrett Davis Colorado........................................................................................Marsha Nelson Columbus.....................................................................................Quincy Howard Connecticut................................................................................Sharon Okoye District of Columbia.............................................................Robyn Jackson Ft. Lauderdale...........................................................................Kesha Davis Hampton Roads.......................................................................Keisha Branch Houston.........................................................................................Paralee Shivers Jacksonville.................................................................................Christopher Macklin Kansas City..................................................................................Fahteema Parrish Maryland.......................................................................................Odessa Phillip Miami...............................................................................................Valerie Williams Michigan.......................................................................................Bianca Graves Minnesota....................................................................................Tekia Jefferson Nashville........................................................................................Kia Lewis New York.......................................................................................Rich Watson North Texas.................................................................................Ruben Landa Northern California..............................................................Sheila Evans-Peguese Oregon/SW Washington...................................................Mario Alexander Palm Beach County...............................................................Bruce Guyton Philadelphia...............................................................................Lydia Grose Pittsburgh....................................................................................Charles Reeves Richmond.....................................................................................Lamar Bates San Antonio................................................................................Raquel Reyes Southern California..............................................................Demarius Terry Toronto & Region...................................................................Annette Salfarlie Washington State...................................................................Linneth Riley - Hall
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Past
HONOREES
2020-2021
AWARD.............................................. HONOREE Advocacy .........................................................Linda Darr Aviation...............................................................Shannetta Griffin Federal Government..................................Nicole Nason Lifetime Achievement Award...............Dr. Christine Darden Local Government.......................................Mayor Sharon Weston Broome Private Sector..................................................Regine Beauboeuf Private Sector..................................................Jan Prysby Bryson Private Sector..................................................Julie Green Private Sector..................................................Suzanne Shank Public Sector....................................................Angie Rivera-Malpiede Public Transportation.................................Anita Miller Shirley DeLibero Award............................Helen McSwain State Government ......................................Jennifer Mitchell 2019 Academia...........................................................Trudy Bartley Aviation...............................................................J. Somer Shindler Chairman’s Eagle Award...........................Elsa Ortiz Private Sector..................................................Gabriele Mack Private Sector..................................................Jannet Walker Ford Public Sector....................................................Meshelle Howard Public Sector....................................................Debra Johnson Public Sector....................................................Carol Wise Public Sector....................................................Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker Shirley A. DeLibero Award......................Honorable Joyce Beatty 2018 Advocacy .........................................................Donna McNamee Aviation .............................................................Rosa Beckett Aviation .............................................................Kim Day Chairman’s Eagle .........................................Jill Chen-Stober Private Sector . ...............................................Barbara Arens Private Sector . ...............................................Lisa Winston Hicks Private Sector . ...............................................Diane Woodend-Jones Prvate Sector . ................................................Heather Berry Public Sector ..................................................Alice Bravo Public Sector ..................................................Ryland McClendon
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Public Sector ...........................................................Michelle Pourciau Public Sector ...........................................................Stephanie Wiggins Shirley A. DeLibero ..............................................Diana Mendes State Government ...............................................Christy Hall State Government ...............................................Leslie Richards 2017 Academia ..................................................................Anne McNeill Advocacy ..................................................................Terry Solís Aviation ......................................................................Ginger Evans Labor ............................................................................Thella Bowens Legislator ...................................................................Bertha Henry Private Sector . ........................................................Sharon Greene Public Transportation ........................................Loretta Kirk State Government ...............................................Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim U.S. Government ..................................................Greer Gillis Lifetime Achievement ......................................Juanita Abernathy Chairman’s Eagle ..................................................Margareth Bonds 2016 Academia ..................................................................Dr. Karen E. Philbrick Advocacy ..................................................................Flora M. Castillo, C.H.I.E. Aviation ......................................................................Deborah Flint Federal Government ..........................................Bryna Helfer, Ph.D. Federal Government .......................................... The Honorable T. Bella Dinh Zarr, Ph. D., MPH Posthumous ............................................................Mary V. King Private Sector . ........................................................Feysan Lodde Private Sector . ........................................................Margaret O’Meara Public Sector ...........................................................Valarie McCall, Ph.D. Public Sector ...........................................................Leanne Redden Rail .................................................................................Polly Hanson State Government ...............................................Grindly Johnson Chairman’s Eagle ..................................................Kimberly Avery Shirley A. DeLibero ..............................................Grace Crunican
Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation 2022
2015
2013
AWARD............................................HONOREE Advocacy .....................................................Marcia Ferranto Aviation .........................................................Chellie Cameron Aviation .........................................................Victoria Wassmer Legislator.......................................................The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton Multimodal .................................................Deborah Hersman Private Sector . ...........................................Joy Rohadfox Private Sector . ...........................................Cynthia Jones Parks Public Transportation ...........................Ann Dawson-August Public Transportation ...........................Ysela Llort State Government ..................................Polly Trottenberg U.S. Government .....................................Carolyn Flowers Chairman’s Eagle .....................................India Birdsong
Advocacy .............................................Anne P. Canby Aviation .................................................Rosemarie Andolino Federal Government .....................Therese W. McMillan Highways .............................................Gloria J. Jeff, AICP Private Sector . ...................................Gina F. Adams Private Sector . ...................................Cheryl McKissack Daniel Private Sector . ...................................Deryl McKissack, PE, PMP State Government ..........................Joan McDonald Shirley A. DeLibero .........................Helen L. Dale Lifetime Achievement .................The Honorable Tammy Duckworth Public Transportation ...................Ysela Llort State Government ..........................Polly Trottenberg U.S. Government .............................Carolyn Flowers Chairman’s Eagle .............................India Birdsong
2014
2012
Academia .....................................................Dr. Barbara Gannon Advocacy .....................................................Shelby Scales Aviation .........................................................Andrella Kenner Labor ...............................................................Diane Babineaux Legislator ......................................................The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson Private Sector . ...........................................Jacqueline Hinman Public Transportation ...........................Catherine Hudgins State Government ..................................Karen Rae U.S. Government .....................................Susan Kurland Shirley A. DeLibero .................................Tracey Bessellieu Lifetime Achievement .........................Dr. Maya Angelou State Government ..................................Grindly Johnson Chairman’s Eagle .....................................Kimberly Avery Shirley A. DeLibero .................................Grace Crunican
Advocacy .............................................Laura Barrett Aviation .................................................The Honorable Marion C. Blakey Aviation .................................................Nene Foxhall Aviation .................................................Paula P. Hochstetler Aviation .................................................Victoria Wassmer Legislator ..............................................The Honorable Grace Napolitano Local Government .........................The Honorable Rina Cutler Multimodal .........................................The Honorable Beverly L. Swaim-Staley Private Sector . ...................................Jane A. Chmielinski Public Transportation ...................The Honorable Nuria I. Fernandez Public Transportation ...................Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D. U.S. Government .............................The Honorable Camille M. Hazeur Shirley A. DeLibero .........................Shirley DeLibero Lifetime Achievement .................The Honorable Corrine Brown
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Nancy Pelosi Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives
Nancy Pelosi is the 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives, having made history in 2007 when she was elected the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House. Now in her third term as Speaker, Pelosi made history again in January 2019 when she regained her position second-in-line to the presidency, the first person to do so in more than 60 years. As Speaker, Pelosi is fighting For The People, working to lower health care costs, increase workers’ pay through strong economic growth and rebuilding America, and clean up corruption for make Washington work for all.
LIVING LEGEND HONOREE
For 33 years, Speaker Pelosi has represented San Francisco, California’s 12th District, in Congress. She has led House Democrats for 16 years and previously served as House Democratic Whip. In 2013, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the American women’s rights movement. Under the leadership of Pelosi, the 111th Congress was heralded as “one of the most productive Congresses in history” by Congressional scholar Norman Ornstein. President Barack Obama called Speaker Pelosi “an extraordinary leader for the American people,” and the Christian Science Monitor wrote: “make no mistake: Nancy Pelosi is the most powerful woman in American politics and the most powerful House Speaker since Sam Rayburn a half century ago.” Working in partnership with President Obama, Speaker Pelosi led House passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in early 2009 to create and save millions of American jobs, provide relief for American families, and provide a tax cut to 95 percent of working Americans. With the House Democratic Caucus, Pelosi continues to focus on the need to create jobs in America and prevent them from being shipped overseas. Speaker Pelosi was the architect of the landmark Affordable Care Act which has guaranteed protections for all Americans with pre-existing medical conditions, ended annual and lifetime limits on health coverage, and provided affordable health coverage for tens of millions more Americans while lowering health care costs over the long term.
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In the 111th Congress, Speaker Pelosi also led the Congress in passing strong Wall Street reforms to rein in big banks and protect consumers as well as the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which expands educational opportunities and reforms the financial aid system to save billions of taxpayers’ dollars. Additional key legislation passed into law included the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to restore the ability of women and all workers to access our judicial system to fight pay discrimination; legislation to provide health care for 11 million American children; national service legislation; and hate crimes legislation. In late 2010, Pelosi led the Congress in passing child nutrition and food safety legislation as well as repealing the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prohibited gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. As Speaker, Pelosi has made the climate crisis her flagship issue, enacting comprehensive energy legislation in 2007 that raised vehicle fuel efficiency standards for the first time in 32 years and making an historic commitment to American home grown biofuels. In 2009, under her leadership, the House passed the landmark American Clean Energy and Security Act – a comprehensive bill to create clean energy jobs, combat the climate crisis, and transition America to a clean energy economy. The legislation was blocked by Republicans in the United States Senate, but sent a strong signal to the world about the United States’ commitment to fighting the climate crisis. Pelosi comes from a strong family tradition of public service. Her late father, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., served as Mayor of Baltimore for 12 years, after representing the city for five terms in Congress. Her brother, Thomas D’Alesandro III, also served as Mayor of Baltimore. She graduated from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. She and her husband, Paul Pelosi, a native of San Francisco, have five grown children and nine grandchildren.
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CONGRATULATIONS ALVA CARRASCO
Transit and Rail West Region market lead at WSP
for being inducted into COMTO’s Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation signature class of leaders for her service to the advancement and development of Latinos and other minorities in transportation through her service to the national Latinos in Transit organization. We are inspired by all the honorees who have made positive contributions to strengthening our nation’s infrastructure. WSP is proud to work with leaders in the industry to advance the development of America’s transportation infrastructure that makes our nation prosper.
Find out what we can do for you.
wsp.com
Alva Carrasco
President, Latinos In Transit Board of Directors Vice President, Transit & Rail National Business Line, West Regional Market Lead, WSP USA
Alva Carrasco is the President of Latinos In Transit (LIT), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Latinos and other minorities in the transportation field. Alva has been a LIT Board Member since its inception in 2016. She helped to build the organization from the bottom up. Under her leadership, LIT’s membership has exponentially grown and has forged partnerships with multiple public and private industry organizations such as COMTO and the Transit Research Board (TRB).
ADVOCACY HONOREE
Alva is also the Vice President – Transit and Rail National Business Line’s West Region Market Lead at WSP USA. She is responsible for business development in the West and Southwest Regions of the United States. She also oversees multiple projects assisting transit service providers in transitioning fossil fuels to zero-emission vehicles. Alva has over 30 years of experience working in the transit industry. She began her career in public transit as an entry-level administrative assistant and has worked her way up to various leadership and executive positions while furthering her education. She has dedicated her time in public transit to providing communities with clean alternative modes of transportation, reducing congestion, improving operational efficiencies, improving the customer experience, and workforce development in what she considers a “green-collar” industry. She has successfully managed multimillion-dollar projects and provided leadership to large workforce groups responsible for safely transporting millions of passengers at transit agencies such as Los Angeles Metro and VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio, Texas. Alva is a graduate of San Jose State University/Mineta Transportation Institute. Alva graduated from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Leadership Class of 2002, is a two-time American Public Transportation Foundation recipient, and currently serves as an APTA Emerging Leaders Program National Mentor and TRB Minority Fellows Mentor. Alva is a member of several industry committees, including the APTA Diversity & Inclusion Council, the TRB Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Transit Cooperative Research Program TOPS Council and the California Transit Association Inclusion Diversity Equity Association Task Force Vice-Chair.
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Jacobs congratulates COMTO on Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation At Jacobs, we are striving to achieve true equality for all of our employees current and future, with a focus on empowering women and employees of color to advance and achieve at Jacobs. It’s about doing our part as a global leader to educate and change the culture in our communities. And, it’s an opportunity for our global community to get this right.
We’re creating a tomorrow we can all be proud of, standing together as one.
Follow us @JacobsConnects | jacobs.com
Petra Mollet
Vice President, Strategic and International Programs, American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
Petra Mollet is Vice President of Strategic and International Programs for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). She leads APTA’s strategic and business planning, coordinates the Association’s international outreach and supports the Transit Board Members Committee and the Diversity and Inclusion Council, including implementing APTA’s Racial Equity Action Plan. She joined APTA in 2008 as Vice-President, Strategy and was Chief of Staff from 2012 to 2016.
ADVOCACY HONOREE
In a transportation career spanning over three decades, she is driven by the potential of sustainable mobility to improve lives and transform communities. She is continuously inspired by the dedication of those who work in the field and is committed to applying her experience to amplify advances in public transportation, promoting equity and sustainability. Before her work at APTA, Petra was director of corporate development and the corporate office at the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) based in Brussels, Belgium. She led UITP’s worldwide expansion and external relations and supported the UITP Sustainable Development Program’s launch in 2001. Previously, Petra was the Executive Director of POLIS, an association of European local and regional transportation authorities that collaborated on applying Intelligent Transportation Systems and mobility integration. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Affairs, and holds an Executive Master of Natural Resources from Virginia Tech.
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HNTB congratulates this year’s honorees for COMTO’s Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation. We’re grateful for their commitment to excellence and creating opportunities for all professionals in transportation.
The HNTB Companies Infrastructure Solutions hntb.com
Vanessa E. Wyche Director, NASA Johnson Space Center
Vanessa E. Wyche is the Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, home to America’s Astronaut Corps, Mission Control Center, International Space Station, Orion and Gateway programs, and more than 10,000 civil service and contractor employees. She is responsible for overseeing a broad range of human spaceflight activities, including the development and operation of human spacecraft, commercialization of low-Earth orbit and Johnson’s role in landing the first woman and first person of color on the surface of the Moon.
AERONAUTICS HONOREE
Wyche previously served as Deputy Director of NASA Johnson Space Center, which she has held since 2018. Other key leadership positions include: Assistant and Acting Deputy Director of Johnson; Director of the Exploration Integration and Science Directorate; Flight Manager of several missions of the retired Space Shuttle Program; Executive Officer in the Office of the NASA Administrator; and led other center-level technical and program organizations. Before joining NASA in 1989, Wyche worked for the Food and Drug Administration in Washington DC. A native of South Carolina, Wyche earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University. In recognition of her contributions to the engineering profession, she was inducted into the Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists at Clemson University in 2019. Wyche is a passionate promoter of science, technology, engineering and math and serves as a member of the Clemson University College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences Advisory Board, University of Houston’s C. T. Bauer College of Business Advisory Panel, Houston Exponential Board of Directors and is past Chair of the Space Center Houston Board of Directors. She is the recipient of two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, two NASA Achievement Medals and is a current International Women’s Forum Fellow. Wyche is married to George Wyche Jr. Esq, and has one son, George Wyche III. Follow Wyche on Twitter at twitter.com/V_Wyche.
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Leading the way, leaving a legacy AECOM is proud to sponsor the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials’ “Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation.” As the world’s trusted infrastructure firm, we join in support of those who are building a more equitable future.
Carole Hopson First Officer, Boeing 737 for United Airlines
Carole Hopson flies the Boeing 737 for United Airlines as a First Officer, based in Newark, NJ. After a remarkable 20-year career as a journalist and executive, she followed her dream to become a pilot and share her passion with others as a flight instructor while raising her family. Despite her success, Carole always yearned to follow a childhood passion. Walking away from executive-level positions, she went to flight school with enthusiasm and completed flight training at the peak of her corporate accomplishments.
AVIATION HONOREE
True to her roots as a writer, Carole has published her first novel, A Pair of Wings: A Novel Based on the Life of Pioneer Aviatrix Bessie Coleman, the first American to earn the French civilian pilot’s license
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Dawn Tucker-Thomas
University Grants Manager, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, U.S. Department of Transportation
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HONOREE
Dawn Tucker-Thomas currently serves as a University Grants Manager in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology at the U.S. Department of Transportation. She seeks to ensure that surface transportation research grants, awarded to universities, promote advanced, innovative solutions and technologies that accelerate transportation technology and deployment. For a decade, she has sought to strengthen the capacity of Historically Black Colleges & Universities and minorityserving institutions participation in the department’s University Transportation Centers Program, a $75 million per annum competitive research grant program. She also has championed eliminating barriers, promoting opportunities for women and minorities, and supporting the department’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals as part of the program’s workforce development component. She recently worked in the Office of Public Engagement on a detailed assignment with the Transportation Secretary’s Senior Advisors focusing on coordinating transportation equity and related stakeholder engagements as part of a comprehensive strategy. Ms. Tucker-Thomas has almost thirty years of experience in various transportation areas, from transportation planning, aviation policy and rulemaking, airport operations, air carrier management, aircraft-air traffic control integration research, transportation research and analysis and airport and air carrier compliance and enforcement. In addition to her transportation career, Ms. Tucker-Thomas dedicates much of her time volunteering in her community. She currently serves on the Educational and Charitable Foundation’s Board of Directors and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Lambda Kappa Omega Chapter. She actively participates in Alfred Street Baptist Church activities and was recently installed as an officer. Ms. Tucker-Thomas received an undergraduate degree in Airway Science from Hampton University, a graduate degree in Transportation from Morgan State University, and a law degree from Concord Law School. She is a former African American Federal Executive Association Fellow and Dwight D. Eisenhower Transportation Fellow.
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Muriel Bowser Mayor, Washington, DC
Muriel Bowser is committed to making sure every Washingtonian gets a fair shot in a growing and prosperous Washington, DC. Her administration is focused on making DC’s prosperity more inclusive, advancing DC values, and building safer, stronger, and healthier neighborhoods across DC’s eight wards.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT HONOREE
Washington, DC is unique in the American political system – the mayor, DC’s chief executive, functions as a governor, county executive, and mayor. Like governors, Mayor Bowser runs Medicaid, issues driver’s licenses, and has tax authority. Like county executives, Mayor Bowser runs the local jail, and, unlike most mayors, also oversees the public school system. In 2020, Washington, DC is home to 705,000 people across 68 square miles, has a AAA bond rating, and an annual budget of more than $15 billion. On November 6, 2018, Muriel Bowser became the first woman ever re-elected as the Mayor of Washington, DC and the first mayor to earn a second term in 16 years. Since taking office, the Mayor has taken bold steps to reset DC’s global and national competitiveness, speed up affordable housing production, diversify the DC economy, increase satisfaction in city services, and invest in programs and policies that allow more families to live and thrive in DC. In the past five years, Mayor Bowser has: • added more than 57,000 jobs, reduced unemployment by 28 percent, and increased DC Government’s annual spending with local businesses by $200 million; • chaired the National League of Cities Task Force on Housing, doubled the District’s annual investment in affordable housing, and set a bold goal to build 36,000 new homes by 2025; • transformed DC’s homeless services system, building small, service-enriched shelters across the city and bringing chronic homelessness to a 15-year low; • championed a wide range of family-friendly policies, including: raising the minimum wage to $15/hour, adding more than 1,000 new child care seats, and focusing the DC Government’s attention on improving maternal health outcomes; • delivered a new stadium for DC United (Major League Soccer) and a new arena for the Mystics (WNBA) that includes a practice facility for the Wizards (NBA); • deployed the first major city body-worn camera program; • collaborated with leaders from C40 cities around the world to advance the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement; • led diplomatic and economic development missions to China, Cuba, Israel, Canada, El Salvador, and Ethiopia; and • spearheaded the 2016 voter referendum on DC statehood, with more than 86 percent of voters approving of statehood.
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Latronia Durham President, Durham Transport
Latronia Durham is the President of Durham Transport. She is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana who loves family and has always had a fondness for trucks. After years in the oil field industry, that passion led her to educate herself on what it takes to start a business. Through the help of her mother, she was successful in obtaining a loan to purchase her first truck and becoming an owner-operator and a business owner. In 2016 she launched Durham Transport Express and despite the adversity, she managed to help make a major impact for women in the male-dominated Trucking Industry.
LOGISTICS HONOREE
In 2020 she purchased over 6 acres of land to become the home of a multifaceted company. In addition to her trucking company she has opened the first Family-Owned All African-American trucking school named Durham Transport Academy along with Durham Transport Parking, offering commercial parking, Durham Transport Logistics, dispatching freight and Durham Transport Tires, selling new commercial tires. Since then Latronia has become a partner of the Fair Share Program, African American Chamber of Commerce, Minority-Owned Women accreditation and has been selected to help collaborate with the 2022 Harvard Business School Field Immersion Course. In establishing her company her goal is to eliminate some of the struggles that she and her family endured along the way. Latronia’s mission is to provide jobs and create opportunities for individuals in pursuit of more lucrative careers.
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Trenelle Doyle Founder & CEO, Go Girl Ride
Trenelle Doyle, the Founder of Go Girl Ride, is a person-centered safety authority committed to creating a lane in the rideshare industry that centers identity as its core value. With more than 15 years of service and operations experience, Trenelle is not only an advocate; but a champion for transportation justice that is radical in its effort to “meet people where they are”.
MICRO MOBILITY HONOREE
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Claire M.Williams Executive Vice President, KDM Engineering
Claire M. Williams is the Executive Vice President of KDM Engineering, a Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE) professional engineering firm focusing on power distribution design, gas distribution and telecommunications design. Recognized for her ability to identify opportunities and resolve problems before they become barriers, Claire combines leadership experience with keen listening and assessment skills, which help her manage diverse teams of professionals and meet business goals.
PRIVATE SECTOR HONOREE
Claire is a graduate of Rutgers University (B.S.), The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (CMT) and Central Michigan University (MSA). She joined Environmental Design International (EDI), headquartered in Chicago, in 1996 and served as President & COO of EDI from 2015-2019. During that time, her leadership experience and talent for collaboration resulted in the largest contract ever awarded to a M/W/DBE firm by the Illinois Department of Transportation for Phase III engineering services on a segment of the Dan Ryan Expressway. In a strategic career move, Claire left EDI in 2019 to join KDM Engineering as Executive Vice President and help drive its long-term business strategy to achieve its financial goals. Her focus on building teams—through intentional mentoring and personcentered coaching—consistently results in teams that go the extra mile for the sake of the whole. A fierce supporter and advocate of women and minority-owned businesses, Claire offers her expert insight into diversity through her involvement with the Women in Transportation (WTS) Diversity Committee. She has served as a mentor in the WTS Greater Chicago Chapter Mentorship Program. Claire is also an active member of the American Association of Blacks in Energy and a former Director-at-Large on the Lambda Alpha International Ely Chapter Board of Directors. She is a former member of the Board of Directors and Secretary for the Forest Preserve Foundation, where she was Co-Chair of their annual fundraiser.
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Beverly J. Watts
Director, Wayne County Department of Public of Services
Beverly is the Director of the Wayne County Department of Public of Services (DPS), the largest county road agency in the state of Michigan. Beverly began her career in Wayne County in 2003 as Assistant Division Director of the Parks Division of DPS, moving up to Director the following year and then appointed to Deputy Director of the entire Department in 2012. In 2016, Watts became Wayne County’s first female Director of DPS. In addition to aligning the department’s mission and vision with the goals set forth by the County Executive, she is responsible for developing strategic plans for each of the department’s six divisions, totaling over 600 employees with an annual budget exceeding $300 million and total assets estimated at $1 billion.
PUBLIC SECTOR HONOREE
In 2018, Wayne County DPS was awarded full accreditation by the American Public Works Association (APWA) for their improved processes and procedures, making them the first county in Michigan to receive this honor. In addition, Watts has implemented policies that emphasize equity, diversity, racial and gender equality, and inclusion. For example, Watts has built a diverse team of decision-makers for various departmental processes, including recruitment, divisional oversight, and procurement practices. Watts is a proud native Detroiter and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications from Michigan State University. She serves on the Board of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, which has transformed the Detroit Riverfront into a sought-after destination, keeping it “a beautiful, clean and safe gathering place for all.” She is a proud member of the COMTO Michigan Chapter. In 2019, Watts received the “Pioneer Award for Public Agency Executive of the Year” and sits on the COMTO Industry Awards Committee. In addition, Watts serves as a member of the National Organization of Black County Officials, American Public Works Association, Wayne County Economic and Development Corporation, Wayne County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board and currently represents the county as an appointed member of the Wayne County Drainage Board, and most recently appointed to the Michigan Infrastructure Council. Ms. Watts is a lifetime member of the Detroit Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and currently serves as President of the Harbor town One Condominium Association. Also, she was honored as a recipient of the Michigan Chronicle’s “Woman of Excellence” and “Who’s Who” awards. In 2019, Watts became an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education, graduating and earning certification in Strategies for Building and Leading Diverse Organizations.
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Palm Tran Salutes
Palm Beach County Administrator Verdenia C. Baker
for her leadership and support throughout the pandemic.
Quantum System- Automated Wheelchair Securement
Personal Protective Equipment
Hand Sanitizer on all Buses
Bus Operator “Office Door”
On-Route Cleaning
CERTIFIED
CLEANED AND DISINFECTED
Palm Tran’s maintenance team, in partnership with Chandler, Campbelle & Daschle, has ensured this bus is cleaned and disinfected and is ready for service. Date Cleaned
Certied By
Certified Cleaned Buses Daily
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Temperature Testing Health Screening
Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation 2022
Bus Operator Appreciation
Verdenia C. Baker Administrator, Palm Beach County
Verdenia, a certified Government Financial Manager, was chosen as the Palm Beach County Administrator in 2015. She oversees 6,800 positions and balances a $6 billion budget. Palm Beach County is Florida’s third-largest county with a population of 1.5 million and growing. Notably, Palm Beach is one of four Florida counties and one of 50 counties nationally, achieving the AAA bond rating, critical for financial stability.
PUBLIC SECTOR HONOREE
Verdenia’s career with Palm Beach County began as a budget analyst in 1987. She demonstrates the ability to collaborate with strategic partners to enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses. Verdenia led negotiations in recruiting the Florida Scripps Research Institute to Palm Beach County, a foundation of the local biotechnology industry. Verdenia again was the leader in a voter-approved 2016 Infrastructure Sales Tax initiative, expected to generate $2.7 billion for new and renovated schools, roads and facilities over 10 years. Verdenia led initiatives such as the Mandatory Inclusionary Workforce Housing Program, Community Land Trust, re-implemented the small, minority and women business enterprise program in 2019, and the recently created Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Verdenia is a part of national, state, local, professional, and community organizations and has received numerous accolades. While Verdenia’s acknowledgments span many years, her recognitions in 2021 include Florida’s Onyx Magazine’s one of 2021’s Women on the Move, honoring the state’s most impactful and influential women. The 2021 Leadership Heroes in Medicine Award from the Palm Beach County Medical Society in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2021, Verdenia became President of the Florida Association of County Managers, a collective body of all 67 counties in Florida. Verdenia holds a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitative Services, both from Florida State University. Verdenia is married to Joe, and they have two daughters, Jasmin, Shannee and a granddaughter, Lauren Nicole.
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CONGRATULATIONS
Since 1971, COMTO has developed leaders poised to change the world. COMTO – through transportation advocacy, professional development, growth and retention, diversity and inclusion – fosters an environment of success. Congratulations to the Chair of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Board of Directors and all recipients of this year’s COMTO Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation awards.
Chair Ari Jolly named one of COMTO’s Women Who Move the Nation
Ari Jolly
Chair, Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Board of Directors Assistant General Counsel, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
Ari Jolly is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (Florida Blue) Assistant General Counsel. In this role, Ari is responsible for providing primary legal support to Florida Blue on governance, merger and acquisitions, and counsel to Investment and Corporate Development operations of the mutual holding enterprise. Ari also provides board governance support related to GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation subsidiary and joint venture companies.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
HONOREE
Ari joined Florida Blue in 1993. Before joining Florida Blue, Ari practiced with the law firm of Rogers, Towers, Bailey, Jones and Gay in Jacksonville, Florida. Ari also served as an Officer in the United States Navy in the office of the Judge Advocate General from 1983 – 1990 and the recipient of a Navy Achievement Medal (1987). Throughout her career, Ari has been active in community and professional organizations. She is a member of the Florida and Jacksonville Bar and also serves on the boards of the Greater Jacksonville Area USO and the Naval Continuing Care Retirement Foundation, Inc. (Fleet Landing). In 2015, Ari became a gubernatorial appointee to the board of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and currently serves as the Chair of that board. That year, Ari was also named as one of Northeast Florida’s Most Influential Women. In 2019, she was elected to the American Public Transportation Association’s Board of Directors. Ari also earned a seat on the Board of the Directors for the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization in 2020. Ari graduated from Jacksonville University (1983) and the Florida State College of Law (1990), with Highest Honors. While at the Florida State College of Law, Ari was an Associate Editor on the Law Review as well as a member of the Order of the Coif. Ari is also an honors graduate from the Naval Legal Justice School, Newport, Rhode Island (1984). Ari previously spoke on the topics of “Doing Blue Plan Alliances: Tales from the Front Lines” at the 2006 40th Annual BCBSA Lawyers Conference and “Doing Plan Alliances: Lessons Learned” at the 2007 41th BCBSA Lawyers Conference. She has also presented on the topics of Women Veterans and the Multicultural US Armed Forces.
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Melissa Rolle-Scott
Transit Section Chief, Office of Safety & Security, Miami-Dade Department of Transportation & Public Works
Melissa Rolle-Scott is a U.S. Department of Transportation Dwight D. Eisenhower Transportation Fellow with 30 years of experience in the mass transportation (bus, rail and automated guideway) industry. She currently serves as the Transit Section Chief in the Office of Safety & Security for the Miami-Dade County (MDC) Department of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW). She is responsible for providing leadership in the planning and directing of Internal Audits. She is the department’s liaison for safetyrelated state and federal audits.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
HONOREE
Ms. Rolle-Scott has provided leadership in several divisions of the Miami-Dade DTPW, which includes: Safety & Security: Transit Services Administration; Maintenance Control; Customer Service; and the Automated Fare Collection System. Before joining DTPW, she worked as an Industrial Engineer for Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace. Ms. Rolle-Scott is very active in the transportation industry. She currently serves on the National Board of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). She also serves on the COMTO Scholarship, CITY Internship and Industry Awards committees. Locally, she serves as an At-Large Member of the COMTO Miami Chapter Board. She has also served as a Transit Research Innovative Program Ambassador and several TCRP Research Panels. She is a 2002–2003 graduate of the Leadership American Public Transit Association (APTA) and serves on APTA Committees. Ms. Rolle-Scott contributes to her community’s well-being in numerous ways. She is an MDC Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) mentor and has volunteered as a KAPOW teacher and SECME judge at various schools. She also serves on MDC’s Black Heritage Planning Committee, where she chairs the annual South Dade Gospel Fest. As President & CEO of the Mt. Calvary Community Development Center, she is responsible for providing leadership to govern such activities as Senior & Youth Computer Training, Youth Photography, and food/clothing distribution.
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Michele Wong Krause Chair, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors
Michele Wong Krause, a Hispanic, Asian and Native Hawaiian attorney, presently serves as the Chair of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors. As a staunch champion of public transit, Michele serves on the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Executive Committee and as the Secretary of the Transit Board Members (TBM) Committee. From her work on the Leadership APTA Committee to her work on the TBM Committee, she has brought her board room experience and enthusiasm for the transformative nature of public transit to APTA.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
HONOREE
Michele is a trailblazer in both the transit and legal communities. She is the first Latina and the first Asian American to serve as DART Chair. Michele was the first Asian female to be elected to the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas; the first Asian attorney to be elected to represent Dallas on the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas, and the first Asian attorney to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation. A former City of Dallas Associate Municipal Judge, currently in private law practice with the Wong Krause Law Firm in Dallas, Michele has had a long history of working to advance the interests and opportunities of the minority community and of bringing forward equity and implicit bias programs at conferences across the nation.
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Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation 2022
Kimberly Slaughter CEO, SYSTRA USA
CEO, Kimberly Slaughter has been involved in the development of mobility solutions for over 30 years and has a wealth of experience in the transportation industry, working for planning, architecture/engineering consulting firms and public transportation providers. She is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin with a BA in GovernmentPre-Law and an MSc in Community and Regional Planning.
SHIRLEY DELIBERO HONOREE
An active leader in the transportation industry, Kim was appointed to head the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Subcommittee for the Mobility Restoration & Recovery Task Force. Kim has also served on the APTA Board of Directors and Business Members Board of Governors, Business Council of the African American Mayors Association, Women’s Transportation Seminar, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials and the March of Dimes. In 2019, she served on Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s transportation transition team and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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Engaging great people who make a difference Congratulations to all the women who are “Moving our Nation”! We look forward to working with you to bring about positive change.
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Emcee
Doris E. McMillon President and Chief Strategic Officer, McMillon Communications, Inc. Doris E. McMillon is the President and Chief Strategic Officer for McMillon Communications, Inc., a full-service marketing communications and public relations firm. Based in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, this minority business has served government agencies, non-profit organizations and Fortune 500 corporations with award-winning campaigns and measurable success for more than 30 years.
As a sought-after speaker and event host, Ms. McMillon also provides spokesperson presentation coaching. She is co-author of The ABC’s of Media: Turning Negative News into Positive Press. She is currently working on a publication entitled, Accidental Entrepreneur: My Unexpected Journey. She is the author of Mixed Blessing, an autobiography which tells the story of her search for her German mother and African American father. Her production of Brown Babies: The Mischlingskinder is an award-winning documentary that chronicles the plight of mixed race children born in Germany after World War II. A polished actress, Ms. McMillon plays herself as an anchorwoman in such blockbusters as IN THE LINE OF FIRE, MURDER AT 1600, and HEAD OF STATE and in TV’s the WEST WING, NCIS, and the WIRE.
Entertainment
The Storm Project 3.0 Tempest “Storm” Thomas is an accomplished artist, bassist, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur and retiree who was born and raised in the DMV area. She performs with her solo project “The Storm Project” which serves a mixture of Smooth Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk and Gospel. Storm developed this dynamic ensemble to create, inspire, collaborate and feature some of the best DMV musicians in the area. Her very first single was released in 2018 entitled the ‘Love Triangle” and she was inspired to write this song to inspire women to overcome relationship challenges. She also proudly serves as the bassist for the dynamic premier award winning all female band “Bela Dona”. Her extensive background in live performance has allowed her to share the stage with some phenomenal national recording artists including Erykah Badu, Ginuwine, Chrisette Michele, MC Lyte, Dougie Fresh and many more. She was the award recipient for “Be There” Magazine’s Bassist of the Year in 2018. She was the award recipient for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Women’s of Excellence Award back in 2020 along with her Bela Dona band members. Bela Dona was also the award recipient for the Best Grown and Sexy Band in the DMV area in 2020.
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