Inspiring Growth: 

Guiding Chapters Toward Resilience and Innovation 

November 12-14, 2025 
 

REGISTER TODAY!

Schedule November 12, 2025: Training 

• 1:00pm-1:30pm EST: Welcome from WTS International CEO/ED Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins, PhD 

• 1:40-2:20pm EST—Breakout Round 1 

  • Membership Fundamentals- Alison Stern (WTS International Staff), Kathy Kern (Maine Chapter) and Andrea Lendak (Toronto Chapter) 

  • The Future: Developing the Next Generation of Members and Industry Leaders-Danielle Schroeder (Philadelphia Chapter) 

  • Chapter Elections: Process and Procedures –Maxine Katz (WTS International Staff)

  • Event Management and Planning Basics-Leslie McClain (WTS International Staff) 

• 2:30-3:10pm EST—Breakout Round 2 

  • Membership Fundamentals- Alison Stern (WTS International Staff), Kathy Kern (Maine Chapter) and Andrea Lendak (Toronto Chapter) 

  • The Future: Developing the Next Generation of Members and Industry Leaders-Danielle Schroeder (Philadelphia Chapter) 

  • Chapter Elections: Process and Procedures –Maxine Katz (WTS International Staff) 

  • Event Management and Planning Basics-Leslie McClain (WTS International Staff) 

• 3:15pm-3:30pm: Closing remarks for the day- Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins and Alison Stern

Schedule- November 13, 2025: Keynote/Leadership 

• 1:00pm-2pm EST: Keynote address: Cassaundra Rouse, WTS International 2025 Woman of the Year 

  • 45 min speech and 15 min of questions 

• 2:15pm-3:15pm EST: WTS International Board Panel Leadership: Insights and Lessons Learned—Moderated by WTSI Board Chair Bridgette Beato

• 3:20pm-3:30pm EST: Closing Remarks 

Schedule- November 14, 2025: Multi-Modal Panel  

• 1:00pm-2:00pm EST: Multi-Modal Panel, Moderated by WTSI Board Member Monica Backmon, Northern VA Transportation Authority 

  • Aviation: Kathleen Sharman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Greater Orlando Aviation Authority: Orlando International (MCO) and Executive (ORL) Airports 

  • Port: Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Managing Director, Maritime at the Port of Seattle 

  • Rail: Kathy Escandon, AECOM 

  • Transit: Manjiri Akalkotkar, Major Capital Program Officer, VIA 

  • Highway/Bridges: Kira Larson, HNTB 

• 2:10pm-2:45pm EST: Region Breakout: Members will break out into their respective regions to discuss: 

  • Modal areas in the region that have the largest membership presence and how to continue to retain these members

  • Modal areas in the region that are the least represented and how they could attract more members from these area

  •  Regional partnerships that could be formed to strengthen WTS International relationships within all modal sectors.

• 2:45-3:00pm EST: Closing remarks