2026 WTS Greater Chicago Award Winners

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Woman of The Year

Harvind Kaur Singh | President & CEO,
SINGH + Associates

Harvind Kaur Singh is the President and CEO of SINGH + Associates, a role she assumed in April 2019 following the leadership transition from company founder, Sadhu Singh Rikhiraj. Harvind has become a transportation nerd and a strong advocate for policy and funding in public infrastructure. She is committed to inclusive, transparent decision-making, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered, and the best path forward is openly debated. Drawing on her background as a television and radio writer and producer, Harvind brings a distinctive blend of communication, creativity, and strategic leadership to the AEC industry.

Under her direction, SINGH has continued to grow while cultivating a people-first culture and a forward-thinking business approach. She sets the strategic vision for the firm and oversees all aspects of operations, with a focus on building strong client relationships, empowering staff, and advancing innovation across disciplines.

Harvind is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the engineering and construction industries. She was appointed to the State of Illinois Diversity Task Force focused on Disadvantaged, Minority, and Women Business Enterprises. Her leadership extends nationally through active involvement in numerous professional organizations. She currently serves on the WTS Greater Chicago Chapter Advisory Board, the ACEC Illinois Board of Directors, and Director on the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association (IRTBA) Planning and Design Board. Through Harvind's unwavering commitment to WTS Greater Chicago, she has become a driving force in advancing inclusion across the transportation industry. As both an active member and corporate-level Executive Partner, she empowers women’s leadership from mentoring rising professionals, to expanding opportunities for engagement at the WTS international level. 

Committed to lifelong learning and staying ahead of industry trends, Harvind participates in executive education programs, industry seminars, and business development forums.

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Member of The Year

Aubrey Tetreault-Folmsbee | 
Senior Marketing Manager, STV 

Aubrey is a champion for the advancement of women in transportation, contributing as a WTS member, chapter chair, mentor, and supervisor. Seeking a more active role in advancing WTS's growth, she joined the Communications Committee in 2021. Transitioning to the Co-Chair position, she revitalized core communications functions by overhauling the Chapter newsletter, streamlining workflows, and incorporating visual storytelling. To increase Chapter visibility and bolster engagement, Aubrey established a chapter-wide communications plan to enhance a digital presence, from preparing targeted email blasts to managing Chapter webpages and curating LinkedIn posts.

Her leadership and cultivation of team-oriented culture have directly contributed to the Communication Committee’s expansion, which has welcomed new members now engaged in supporting support cross-committee needs. For the annual Greater Chicago Awards Banquet, Aubrey transitions from digital campaign strategist to a day-of, on-the-ground ambassador, setting spaces and welcoming attendees. For the Chapter’s scholarship program, she routinely partners with committee chairs to create digital-ready materials to target a student audience. In 2023, Aubrey worked alongside 13 member chapters and communications teams in promoting Chicago’s host role at the WTS Central Region Conference by implementing a promotions schedule, developing marketing materials, and cross-posting through Chapter channels. For the Chapter’s 2026 Mentorship Program, she serves as a mentor to an emerging leader, providing career guidance for professional development and forming meaningful connections. 

As a Senior Marketing Manager at STV Incorporated, she is leading Transportation and Infrastructure-focused business development strategy and pursuit teams for the firm’s 17-state South Region. Dedicated to empowering women within her own company, Aubrey is a charter member of STV’s Woman’s Network Employee Resource Group (ERG) and served on the Work-Life Success Committee. On this task force, she supported an internal study focused on evaluating employee perception of corporate policies impacting work-life balance and co-authored the committee’s white paper. Through these contributions, Aubrey fosters a collaborative environment rooted in WTS’s core values – all while ensuring that every communication and practice reflects a commitment to equity, advancement, and professional excellence.

Aubrey earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Economics, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kansas.

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Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership

Marlene Vick | Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development
Illinois Tollway

Marlene Y. Vick is the chief of the Illinois Tollway Department of Diversity and Strategic Development. Her main responsibility is to develop and implement the Tollway's vision to significantly increase small and diverse business engagement.  Ms. Vick has more than 20 years of experience in business development, where she has overseen programs and initiatives that empower small, diverse and veteran-owned firms to compete and succeed. 

Before joining the Tollway, Ms. Vick served with several nonprofit organizations, working on various small business development initiatives, such as Small Business Development Centers and the Tollway Technical Assistance Program.   

In 2025, Ms. Vick was recognized by the African American Contractors Association with the ACCA Outstanding Community Outreach Award and by the Black Contractors, Owners and Executives with the BCOE Advocate Award for her work with the community, organization and local economy. 

In 2024, Ms. Vick was named by Negocios Now to its Who’s Who in Hispanic Chicago for being a steadfast advocate for small and diverse businesses, exhibiting a genuine concern for the well-being of the small business community. 

Ms. Vick has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

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Honorable Ray LaHood Award

Tollway Engineering Department | Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway Engineering Department plans, designs, builds and maintains the Tollway’s 294-mile system of five roadways serving more than 1.6 million daily drivers across Northern Illinois. Led by Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif, the department’s engineers, project managers and technical professionals are delivering the Tollway’s 16-year, $15 billion Move Illinois capital program, now in its 15th, as well as the 7-year, $2 billion Bridging the Future capital plan. These long-term investments modernize infrastructure, improve mobility and strengthen reliability for customers throughout the region.

The Engineering Department oversees major system expansions, roadway reconstruction, bridge rehabilitation and the integration of advanced technologies. Through disciplined program management, technical expertise and strategic planning, the team continues to advance safe, sustainable and forward-looking transportation solutions that support economic growth and regional connectivity.

The department’s leadership reflects both depth of experience and a strong commitment to developing the next generation of professionals. Senior leaders bring an average of 26 years of industry experience and Manar’s direct leadership team includes many women serving in prominent roles, including Chief of Planning Karyn Robles, Deputy Chiefs of Planning Jackie Forbes and Tiffani Sally, Deputy Chiefs of Program Implementation Cynthia Williams and Sarah Kim, Executive Project Manager Laura Thompson and General Manager of Engineering Laura Durkin.

Engineering staff represent a wide range of respected institutions, including Bradley University, DePaul University, Cairo University, Governors State University, the University of Illinois, Colorado State University, Eastern Illinois University, Florida Atlantic University, Indiana University, Marquette University, Miami University, Michigan State University, Midwest College of Engineering, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, Purdue University, Southern Illinois University, the University of Texas, Valparaiso University and the University of Wisconsin.

Mr. Nashif brings more than 25 years of experience as a professional engineer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Science in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Throughout his career, he has emphasized collaboration, accountability and empowering engineering professionals to deliver complex projects that serve the public.

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Honorary Mentorship 

Maggie Walsh | Senior Vice President, HDR 

Maggie is a Senior Vice President at HDR, where she responsible for developing and implementing client, program and pursuit growth strategies. Maggie has been involved in the transportation industry for three decades as a strategist, marketer, communicator, and facilitator. She is recognized for guiding highly visible, complex, and game changing programs by providing strategic direction, executive oversight, and collaborative leadership. Her work spans major transportation sectors including transit, freight rail, highways, bridges, aviation, and maritime. Maggie maintains a strong focus on advancing strategic client development initiatives that align business growth with long term client outcomes.

Maggie has been an active leader within WTS International for over two decades. A member since 1997, she served on the International Board for ten years and chaired the Board from 2018 to 2020. Her previous roles include a three-year term as Chicago Chapter President and International Board Liaison to the Central Region for many years. She currently sits on the Greater Chicago Chapter's Advisory Board and enjoys engaging with chapters across North America.

In addition, Maggie serves on the Board of Advisors for the Eno Center for Transportation.

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Innovative Transportation Solution 

Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) ACT

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act was selected as the WTS Greater Chicago Innovative Transportation Solution Award winner in recognition of its landmark role in transforming public transportation funding and governance across the Chicago metropolitan region and Illinois. Passed in the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Pritzker, the NITA Act is a bold initiative that secures $1.5 billion annually for transit operations and creates a modern, regionally coordinated governance structure for public transportation in the region. The legislation protects essential transit services relied upon by millions of riders and frontline workers while addressing a looming fiscal cliff that threatened severe service reductions across CTA, Metra, and Pace. 

What distinguishes NITA as an innovative transportation solution is its comprehensive, forward-looking approach. The NITA Act integrates stable, sustainable funding with customer focused reforms that improve service coordination, fare integration, accessibility, safety, and transit-supportive development. By aligning governance, funding, and customer-focused service standards, the initiative delivers a unified vision for a more reliable, equitable, and efficient regional transit system. Without this action, northeastern Illinois faced operating shortfalls exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars and potential service cuts of up to 40%, outcomes that would have had devastating impacts on the region’s economy and quality of life. 

Equally significant is the leadership model behind NITA’s success. The NITA Act was advanced through a cross-sector coalition led overwhelmingly by women from the Illinois General Assembly, Governor’s Office, regional planning agencies, labor organizations, and advocacy groups. These leaders worked collaboratively across political, institutional, and geographic boundaries to craft, negotiate, and secure passage of transformative legislation with statewide benefits. Their work not only preserved transit service for current riders but also laid the foundation for a safer, more integrated, and more resilient transportation system that will serve Illinois communities for generations, making NITA a clear and deserving recipient of this year’s award.

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Employer of the Year 

Chicago Transit Authority     

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates one of the nation’s largest public transportation systems. It is a regional agency that covers the City of Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs. The CTA was established in 1947, and is an independent governmental agency created by state legislation. 

CTA’s mission is to “deliver quality, affordable transit services that link people, jobs and communities.” The agency plays a vital role in keeping one of the nation’s largest cities moving and strives to keep residents connected with its two modes of transportation: bus and rail.

On an average weekday, CTA provides 1 million rides with its fleet of more than 1,900 buses and 1,500 railcars. The bus system consists of 127 routes and 1,516 route miles. CTA buses make about 18,503 trips per day and serve 10,588 bus stops throughout the region with several express routes and "Owl Service" routes that provide 24-hour service.

The rail system consists of eight train lines spanning the city and neighboring communities and consists of 146 stations over approximately 224.1 miles of track. CTA trains make about 2,336 trips each day. Parts of the 'L' run above ground, in subway tunnels and tubes, as well as at grade or in expressway medians.

Nora Leerhsen is CTA’s acting president—the first woman leader in the agency’s history—and is an 11-year public transit veteran. Ms. Leerhsen has instituted a new focus across the organization—one that is concentrated on the core principles of being people-driven, performance-focused, centered in welcoming places, and rooted in dynamic partnerships. She is guiding the CTA through a reimagining of the role it plays in the Chicago region.

Voting for 2026 Chapter Awards has closed.

It is an amazing way to honor our chapter and those who embody the mission of WTS and to provide recognition of the importance of WTS in our transportation and industry-related community.  In addition to our yearly award categories, we are adding an Honorary Mentorship Award in celebration of our chapter’s 40th Anniversary and to commemorate someone who has had an influential role in supporting, guiding, and paving the way for the professional and personal growth of our WTS members! 

The 2026 WTS Greater Chicago Chapter award categories include the following:

· Woman of the Year (*Private Sector) - closed

· Honorable Ray LaHood Award (**Public Sector) - closed

· Member of the Year - closed

· Rosa Parks Diversity Award - closed

· Employer of the Year - closed

· Innovative Transportation Solutions Award - closed

· Honorary Mentorship Award - closed


Woman of the Year (Private Sector)*
To facilitate a more inclusive recognition of industry leaders and ensure that the contributions of both public and private sector women are recognized, we are strongly encouraging Private Sector nominations for the 2026 Woman of the Year award. We are planning to solicit Public Sector nominations in 2027.

Honorable Ray LaHood (Public Sector)**
To facilitate a more inclusive recognition of industry leaders and ensure that the contributions of both public and private sector men are recognized, we are strongly encouraging Public Sector nominations for the 2026 Honorable Ray LaHood award. We are planning to solicit Private Sector nominations in 2027.

Questions should be sent to the Recognitions Committee at [email protected].

Nominations should be submitted in a manner that upholds the integrity of the awards process. Campaigning for a nomination, soliciting endorsements, or pressuring others to submit on your behalf is not permitted. Please ensure all submissions are respectful, fact-based, and aligned with the award criteria. The committee reviews all nominations confidentially and expects the highest standards of professionalism from participants.