Sara Stickler, CAE

Sara Stickler is President & CEO of WTS International.  Joining the organization in 2018, Sara works to set and execute WTS International’s organizational strategic priorities, working closely with the WTS International Board of Directors to continuously assess and develop the WTS brand and the association’s programs. Sara implements growth and retention strategies, and she fosters meaningful relationships with WTS chapters, members, key industry stakeholders and other professionals to elevate the organization.  Sara also works with the WTS Foundation and its Board of Directors to realize its mission of supporting the next generation of transportation professionals and advancing the principles of WTS.

Prior to joining WTS, Sara was the Executive Director of the Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation of the Household and Commercial Products Association (HCPA), where she advanced consumer knowledge on the correct use, storage and disposal of household and commercial products.  Her work included developing transportation safety campaigns around drugged driving. Stickler led the foundation through an organizational rebrand to position the foundation for long-term growth. She oversaw fundraising and donor relationship building initiatives. Stickler also served as the Vice President of Research and Education at HCPA. As Vice President, Stickler oversaw over 25 active joint ventures and LLC’s through the Ignite Solutions program where she implemented a project management approach to the program; overseeing long-term and short-term industry research projects and initiatives.

Previously, Stickler taught second grade at Indian Hill Exempted Village School District in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she also coached basketball and softball. She has extensive experience working in education and with educational programs through schools, nonprofits, and outside organizations.

Stickler serves on numerous Boards and committees including the Board of the Association Foundation Group (AFG), the Board of Advisors for the ENO Center for Transportation, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Women and Gender in Transportation Committee.  She has previously served on the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) Board of Directors and the Hyattsville, Maryland Health, Wellness, Recreation Advisory Committee. She is also a member of Chief, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders. 

Sara earned her Master of Public Policy degree from University of Maryland where she specialized in Nonprofit Policy.  Through the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Sara has earned her CAE (Certified Association Executive). She also holds a Certificate of Excellence in Nonprofit Management from Michigan State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology from Xavier University in Ohio.

Sara lives in Annapolis, Maryland with her wife, Rebecca, and their twins- Ruth & Rhys, and small zoo of dogs and cats. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, home DIY projects, and reading non-fiction. 

Sara can be reached at [email protected].

Carolyn Stagger Cokley

As the Senior Administrator Executive Office, Board and Operations for WTSI, Carolyn is an integral part of the WTS team. Carolyn supports all aspects of the organization through support of the President and CEO and Board of Directors. Carolyn brings over 20 years of extensive prior experience in the administration, creation and implementation of programs that impact people, and a history of working with nonprofit organizations, within the transportation industry with a focus on human resource management.

Carolyn’s last position was as Director, Customer Programs for the Rail Passengers Association where she oversaw the Amtrak Customer Advisory Committee (ACAC) and worked with members and volunteers in establishing station volunteer programs across the country.  Previously, Carolyn worked for Amtrak as an employee Engagement and Recognition Program manager where her duties included developing recognition strategies and managing all corporate employee recognition programs. 

Carolyn lives in Maryland with her husband, is an accomplished photographer, and enjoys traveling, classic movies, crossword puzzles, consuming good food and spending time with her family.  

Carolyn can be reached at [email protected]. 

Lindsay Shelton-Gross

Lindsay leads External Relations and Strategic Initiatives for WTS International, focusing on all things external affairs: marketing, communications, public appearances and speaking opportunities, legislative and policy initiatives, and industry partnerships. She helps to define, develop, and implement new relationships and programs that deliver benefits for members, partners, and stakeholders, and that fulfill the WTS mission and vision. Additionally, Lindsay supports the Legislative, Workforce Development, and Educational Programming Standing Committees, and annual giving and programming with the WTS Foundation.

Prior to joining WTS, Lindsay was the Vice President of Marketing and Membership at the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITSA). At ITSA, she led member engagement and non-technical business development for the association, representing the entirety of the transportation ecosystem: automotive manufacturers and OEMs, state and local departments of transportation, MPOs, transit authorities, architecture and engineering firms, telecoms, infrastructure professionals, nonprofit associations, and academic and research institutions to develop, deploy, and promote technologies for a safer, greener, and smarter future of mobility. In this role, Lindsay led corporate branding, member communications and programs and oversaw digital platforms and event marketing. She also supported the ITSA policy, regulatory, and legislative affairs team in their advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, the technical programs department with contracts for the federal government and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and served as the staff liaison for the organization's state and regional chapters. 

Prior to entering the transportation sector, Lindsay held various marketing and communications roles in standards development and technical associations, including serving as the Director of Communications for the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and the Director for Membership Engagement with the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP).  Before her roles in associations, she worked in government consulting and corporate communications for the Department of Defense. 

Lindsay earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from James Madison University. She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband, two sons, and Lab mutt. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with the Remote Area Medical organization, lurking around art museums, rooting for the Washington Nationals, and traveling with her family.

Lindsay can be reached at [email protected].

Renita Gross

As Director of Meetings & Events, Renita is essential in leading the overall logistics of the WTS International annual conference (an annual gathering of approximately 800-1200 industry professionals), as well as WTS International and WTS Foundation meetings and events, including chapter event activities. 

Renita brings extensive experience in meetings as well as a background within associations and nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining WTSI, Renita supervised the logistics for seminars and conventions within the port authority industry as well as conferences and training in the liquid terminal industry. 

Renita graduated from The George Washington University and is an accomplished meeting professional with over 25 years in the industry. Renita enjoys travelling, cooking, and spending time with her family.  

Renita can be reached at [email protected].

Ebony Venson

Ebony works as the Manager of Communications and Programs for WTS International, where she helps advance learning, engagement, and education for WTS members, prospective members, and transportation stakeholders. She also contributes to the development and implementation of WTS International's external communication strategy and content.

Before joining WTS, Ebony worked with Smart Growth America's Thriving Communities team, assisting communities in planning and building safe, equitable, and accessible streets, as well as collaborating on creative placemaking work at the intersection of art and transportation. She also worked with the City of Chattanooga, helping local municipalities and community organizations expand economic mobility opportunities in communities of color and supporting minority business development. 

Ebony earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the College of Charleston and a master's in public administration from the University of Charleston in South Carolina. Outside of the 9-5, Ebony spends her time eating her way around D.C., singing, and exploring local art museums.

Ebony can be reached at [email protected]

Kim Williams

A Washington, DC native, Kim R. Williams has a professional background in membership, resource development, and governance positions with advocacy associations such as the Rail Passengers Association and National Health Council. Through these roles, Kim has gained substantial knowledge of customer relationship management systems like Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Neon, and more.  Kim is a dedicated volunteer for charitable organizations, including full-time service work for years through the AmeriCorps programs City Year and Teach for America. Kim received her teaching certification at The Johns Hopkins University and earned a Bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in Elementary Education, and is currently studying for a Microsoft database administrator certification.

MeKayla Washington

MeKayla serves as Senior Engagement Specialist, Membership & Chapter Relations for WTSI. MeKayla provides exceptional customer service to our members, while having an active role in membership recruitment and retention activities and being a forward-facing representative to chapter leaders during WTS-led trainings. She provides high-level services to members and chapter leaders through systems, program, and operational support. MeKayla works to provide excellent customer service to members and chapter leaders, maintain accurate records through WTSI's AMS system, and maintain reports for the Chapter Circle of Excellence program.

Previously, MeKayla served as the engagement specialist with WTSI. MeKayla enjoys mastering new systems and improving internal and external processes.

MeKayla is an avid bullet journalist and enjoys snuggling up with her two cats, West and Noah.

MeKayla can be reached at [email protected].

Tim Edwin

Tim Edwin is the WTS International Controller where he manages the monthly production of financials for WTS International and the WTS Foundation.  Tim also supports WTS Chapters and Chapter Treasurers with trainings and support, processes scholarship check requests, and chapter rebates. 

General accounting or billing questions can be sent to [email protected].  You can email Tim directly at [email protected].