About Us

Our Board of Directors and committee volunteers work tirelessly to provide an exceptional experience for members through distinguished programs, professional development, student outreach, and networking. This is what makes WTS one of the premiere transportation organizations out there.

Achieved Gold Level (highest level of achievement) in the WTS International Circle of Excellence Program and was the only chapter in California to do so in the program’s inaugural year 2015 marked several "Firsts" for our chapter:

• Received the first-ever Circle of Excellence Membership Award from WTS International
• San Diego Chapter Member Dana Hook received WTS International’s Member of the Year Award
• Inaugural year of the Mentorship Program

Locally, our student outreach and Transportation YOU program is a hands-on, interactive, mentoring program that offers girls an introduction to a wide variety of transportation careers.  We have worked with inner city schools to make a difference in the lives of students by offering programs and activities that will spark their interest in all modes of transportation and encourage them to take courses in math, science, and technology.

In 2015, the science club students from Gompers Preparatory Academy, along with the members of the WTS SDSU Student Chapter attended the first-ever construction site field trip to the I-805 North HOV/BRT construction site.  Members of Skanska and Caltrans led the tour and educated the students about highway bridge construction and design/build delivery methods.  These activities represent the efforts of our chapter to foster the WTS spirit of community, inclusiveness, and mutual support.

Our Legislative Committee continues to meet with elected officials, including, Congresswoman Susan Davis, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Sanders, and County Supervisor Diane Jacobs to discuss the Paycheck Fairness Act. Paycheck Fairness is an issue that impacts couples, families, and our community as a whole. 

Regionally, the WTS chapters of southern California have organized and worked together to expand the bandwidth to connect members from multiple cities and counties and across multi-modal industries. Annually, the WTS Orange County and San Diego County chapters hold a joint lunch program that aims to address mobility through the region. In September 2015,the four southern California WTS chapters were featured at Mobility 21 to promote the organization and attract new members.  WTS will continue to create opportunities for members to influence and lead positive changes through participation in critical local and regional conversations and show that WTS has no boundaries.

Chapter members are active on National WTS Board of Directors and National Committees and provide invaluable coordination between the chapter and WTS National. Current Immediate Past President Tuere Fa’aola is on the Circle of Excellence committee.

Thank you to our WTS San Diego County Chapter members, donors, volunteers and friends for your indispensable contributions to our chapter’s success. Your continued support and participation helps to advance the goals and mission of WTS to shape future generations of transportation leaders.

WTS San Diego County Through the Years

1992: The San Diego County Chapter was founded by a small group of women in the local transportation field from both the private and public sectors.

1993: The chapter was officially chartered in August with 31 members. By the end of its first year, the San Diego Chapter had 49 members.

1995: Membership doubled and the Chapter held its first Awards Dinner.

1996: Our local Scholarship winner was awarded the WTS National Scholarship. WTS San Diego County also created the Paulette Duve Memorial Scholarship in honor of one of our members.

1998: Our Chapter hosted the 21st Annual WTS National Conference, Looking Beyond Our Borders, which set a high standard for future national conferences. Membership soared to 134 and the Chapter formed its Honorary Board of Directors, made up of local elected officials and others prominent in the field of transportation.

2001: The Chapter held its first Transportation Innovation Awards, a biennial awards program that honors local projects showing innovation in a variety of transportation-related areas.

2002: The Chapter continued to grow in prominence, with more than 120 attending a chapter lunch program about the emerging San Diego Regional Airport Authority, a record for San Diego.

2003: The San Diego County Chapter celebrated its 10th anniversary.

2004: Past President Deirdre Gabbay was elected as a WTS National Director at Large and WTS San Diego member Sunnie House became the WTS national president.

2013: The San Diego County Chapter celebrated its 20th anniversary.

2014: Former WTS San Diego County Chapter president Nensi Lakrori chartered the first student chapter in California at San Diego State University. And the San Diego County Chapter hosted the WTS National Leadership Training in November.