WTS Metropolitan Phoenix Chapter
In 1985, a group of dedicated and hardworking professionals recognized the need for an organization that can provide elements not always available to them through their other professional affiliations. The group launched the WTS Metropolitan Phoenix Chapter with the goal of creating an environment that encourages the advancement of women in the transportation industry. While the Chapter started out small, today it has more than 160 individual members and the support of key transportation leaders across the Valley.
Originally known as WTS Phoenix/Valley of the Sun, the Chapter changed its name in 1996 to WTS Metropolitan Phoenix to include all the cities that make up the Phoenix metropolitan area. In 2016, the Chapter established an Advisory Board, comprised of industry leaders and past Chapter leaders to support and advise the board.
Annual Award Recipients
2018
Woman of the Year - Jodi Rooney
Employer of the Year - AECOM
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership - Connect 202 Partners
Innovative Transportation Solutions - Risk Management for the MAG Regional Freeway and Highway Program, MAG
New Member of the Year - Brenda Yanez, City of Phoenix
Member of the Year - Carrie Alexander, Valley Metro, and Jessica Rietz, AECOM
2017
Woman of the Year -Terri Collins, Valley Metro (retired)
Employer of the Year - Jacobs Engineering Group
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership - Phoenix Hispanic Network, City of Phoenix
Innovative Transportation Solutions - Valley Metro Public Art Program
New Member of the Year - Brenda Yanez, City of Phoenix
Member of the Year - Teresa Welborn, Maricopa County Department of Transportation
2016
Trailblazer Award – Alan Wulkan, The Wulkan Group
Woman of the Year - Phoenix Vice Mayor Kate W. Gallego
Employer of the Year - Hill International, Inc. & Maricopa County Department of Transportation
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership - Kent Lane, ADOT
Innovative Transportation Solutions - Valley Metro/Cities of Phoenix and Mesa
New Member of the Year - Paul Basha, City of Scottsdale
Member of the Year - Petrina Lundy, Hill International, Inc.
2015
Woman of the Year - Former City Councilwoman Shana Ellis, CEO of The Centers for Rehabilitation
Employer of the Year - Arizona Department of Transportation
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership - Valerie Churchwell, City of Phoenix Aviation
Innovative Transportation Solutions - Arizona Council for Transportation Innovation
New Member of the Year - Jenny Robertson, PSM2
Member of the Year - Alice Bimrose, City of Phoenix Aviation
Alicia Robertson Metropolitan Phoenix Presidential Scholarship -
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship - Stephanie Stearns
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship - Stephanie Stearns
Helene M. Overly & Esther Kmetty Scholarship - Paulina Reina
AzTA Public Transportation Planning Scholarship – Andisheh Ranjbari
Support Sky Harbor Coalition Scholarship – Elizabeth Gollnick
2014
Woman of the Year - Karla Petty, Federal Highways Adminstration
Employer of the Year - Sundt/Stacy Witbeck Joint Venture
Innovative Transportation Solutions - City of Phoenix Public Transit Department’s Senior Shuttle Program
New Member of the Year - Sherly Baker, Sundt
Member of the Year - Christina Bird, Keolis Transit
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship - Stephanie Stearns, Northern Arizona University
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship - Dana Bennewitz, Arizona State University
Helene M. Overly & Esther Kmetty Scholarship - Mary O’Brien, Arizona State
2013
Woman of the Year - Zoe Richmond, Union Pacific Railroad
Employer of the Year - City of Phoenix
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership - Stephen Banta, Valley Metro
Innovative Transportation Solutions - Dr. Patricia Moore, Moore Deisgn Associates
New Member of the Year - Karla Ricci, AECOM
Member of the Year - Lupe Harriger
Alicia Robertson Metropolitan Phoenix Presidential Scholarship - Dawn Fortuna
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship - Alicia Becker
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship - Ashley Welton
Helene M. Overly & Esther Kmetty Scholarship - Paulina Reina
2012
Woman of the Year - Jennifer Toth, Arizona Department of Transportation
Employer of the Year - PSM2
Innovative Transportation Solutions - Valley Metro RPTA
Member of the Year - Jennifer Maples, City of Phoenix
Kammy Horne Metropolitan Phoenix Presidential Scholarship - Monica Soto
Arizona Centennial Scholarship - Melissa McLaughlin
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship - Amelia Celoza
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship - Breezy Shama
Helene M. Overly & Esther Kmetty Scholarship - Ellie Volosin
2011
Woman of the Year – Jennifer Toth
Employer of the Year – PSM2
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership – Hill International Inc.
Member of the Year – Jennifer Maples
Innovative Transportation Solutions – Valley Metro RPTA - Valley Metro Notes Promotional Campaign
2010
Woman of the Year – Jane Morris
Employer of the Year – InfraConsult
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership – Linda Kalaf
Member of the Year – Dave Boggs
Innovative Transportation Solutions – City of Phoenix Aviation Department and Gannett Fleming for Planning and Design of the PHX Sky Train™
2009
Woman of the Year – Carol Ketcherside
Employer of the Year – City of Phoenix Aviation Department
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership – Veolia Transportation
Mary O’Connor Member of the Year – Alicia Robertson
Innovative Transportation Solutions – Jennifer Love, Parsons Brinckerhoff
2008
Woman of the Year – Melissa Boyles – Valley Metro Rail, Inc. (METRO)
Employer of the Year –URS Corporation
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership – Hunt Construction
Member of the Year – Dawn Fortuna
Innovation in Transportation – Light Rail Transit System –Valley Metro Rail, Inc. (METRO)
2007
Woman of the Year – Tamie Fisher
Employer of the Year – Jacobs Carter Burgess
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award – City of Tempe
Member of the Year – Kristy Lockhart-Corbett
2006
Woman of the Year – Mary O’Connor
Employer of the Year – Regional Public Transportation Authority/Valley Metro
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership – Veolia Transportation
Member of the Year – Debbie Moffett
2005
Woman of the Year – Mary Peters
Employer of the Year – Valley Metro Rail, Inc. (METRO)
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership – Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council
Member of the Year – Melissa Boyles
2004
Woman of the Year – Terry Gruver
Employer of the Year – Parsons Brinckerhoff
Member of the Year – Vasti Mugica
2003
Woman of the Year – Debra Brisk
Employer of the Year - HDR
Member of the Year – Lupe Harriger
2002
Woman of the Year - Mary O’Connor
Employer of the Year - Parsons Brinckerhoff
Member of the Year - Susan A. Lewin
2001
Woman of the Year - Mary Peters
Employer of the Year - S.R. Beard & Associates and Arizona Department of Transportation