Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
WTS Puget Sound DEI Committee Charter
Purpose:
The purpose of the WTS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is to help define and implement the DEI strategic objectives of the Puget Sound Chapter. Our mission is to promote differences and similarities between all categories of ethnicity, race, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, diverse ability, geography, socio-economic background, education, and profession.
Committee Goals and Objectives:
- Establish strategic chapter DEI goals (e.g., 3-5 years)
- Support the chapter committees to set, achieve, and track goals that tie back to the chapter’s strategic DEI goals.
- Plan at least one program each year with a DEI-related topic (e.g., pay equity, prioritizing transportation equity).
2025 Women in Motion: Prioritizing Transportation Equity around the Puget Sound
On May 22, 2025, the DEI Committee organized a happy hour followed by a panel discussion with leaders who are steering transportation equity around the Puget Sound. Panelists highlighted examples of how local agencies are advancing projects, policies, and programs to create a more inclusive and accessible transportation system for all.
Panelists included:
- Gwen McCullough, Director of Capital Project Development Programs, Sound Transit (and 2025 Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award Winner)
- TeyAnjulee Leon, DEI Plan Manager, Washington State Department of Transportation
- Serena Lehman, Portfolio & Asset Management Manager, Seattle Department of Transportation
- Jennifer Mayer, Equity and Social Justice Capital Implementation Program Manager, King County Metro
2024 Pay Equity Event
On April 30, 2024, the DEI committee hosted a pay equity event where attendees heard from industry leader Malika Klingler, Managing Principal at PRR, about pay equity in transportation today. The event included information on how one organization achieved gender parity in its pay structure and what it did to achieve racial parity.
2023 Pay Equity Event
On May 3, 2023, the DEI Committee hosted a virtual discussion of pay equity with representatives from Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). The event addressed key pay equity concepts, including racial pay disparities among women and a high-level review of the Washington State Equal Pay and Opportunity Act.
In this video, representatives from SDOT's People, Culture & Logistics Division discuss how they evaluate pay equity, among other topics, and respond to questions.
To download the presentation slides, click here.