Committees
We are an organization run by volunteers and we couldn't do it without them! The WTS Toronto Area Chapter has established several committees and selected leaders to manage Chapter activities. Learn more by clicking a committee below:
Communications | Governance | Membership | Mentorship | Programs | Scholarship | Sponsorship
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
The Communications Committee works in collaboration with the other Committees to provide timely and relevant information to WTS Toronto Area Chapter members and subscribers. The Communications Committee supports the Chapter in the design and distribution of communications materials for the Chapter, such as our email newsletter WTS Weekly, information brochure and promotional videos, and the management of the Chapter's website and social media accounts. In 2020, WTS International has undergone a rebranding exercise and the Communications Committee has played a big part in integrating this into our Chapter's initiatives.
Tara Erwin, HDR
board Director
Sara ayub (metrolinx)
Committee member
adrienne lee (gannett fleming)
COMMITTEE MEMBER
tammy smith (ttc)
committee member
mavara turab (wsp)
COMMITTEE co-CHAIR
annette crisson (jacobs)
Committee member
sheila mehrvar (GANnett
fleming) Committee member
Joanne garcia (aecom)
committee member
rebecca farrugia (ghd)
committee Co-chair
shalevia briscoe (hdr)
committee member
Kaye rickatson (retired)
committee member
james yu (City of Toronto)
board sponsor
alicia Biggs (hdr)
Committee Member
Laurice macaraeg (wsp)
Committee Member
crystal wang (wsp)
Committee Member
dana nassif (wsp)
Committee chair
maya caron (deloitte)
Committee member
rachel saunders (city of
toronto) Committee member
bryn sexton (city of toronto)
Committee member
eva barnard (metrolinx)
Committee member
Katherine Deschamps (City of
Toronto) Committee Member
anna ta (gannett fleming)
Committee Member
GOVERNANCE
The intent of the governance committee is to be the main resource on governance for the Board. The Committee monitors the effectiveness of Board operations, Board performance and governance policies. Duties of the Governance Committee include recommending action to the Board for structural changes to ensure WTS Toronto Area Chapter is in compliance with its legal and fiduciary duties. The Governance Committee is accountable for the Board’s and WTS Toronto Area Chapter's governance bylaws, policies and Board Handbook.
CATHY BENJAMIN-OSTRANDER (AECOM)
committee member
Becca nagorsky (metrolinx)
committee member
mary proc (retired)
Committee member
andrea lendak (ibi group)
committee chair
janarth kulenthiran (Versapay)
committee member
Shalevia briscoe (arup)
committee member
Agata Zebrowska (ibi group)
committee member
MENGSHU HE (MOTT MACDONALD)
COMMITTEE MEMBER
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM COMMITTEE
The Mentorship Program Committee is responsible for the development and facilitation of the mentoring program. The Committee collects feedback from participants throughout the program which will be used to tailor and improve the program to best serve WTS members. The Committee communicates with other WTS Toronto Area chapter committees to share ideas, materials and lessons learned.
frances lau (apotex)
BOARD director
karen cooper (aecom)
committee member
saloni shah (hdr)
committee chair
chloe edwards (aECom)
Committee member
Yasaman Shahtaheri (AECOM)
COmmittee Co-Chair
kristin hanson (retired)
committee member
PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
The Programs Committee is responsible for planning and executing events and activities for WTS Toronto Area Chapter members and guests. Our programs are built around the WTS mandate of advancing women and advancing transportation, including industry and leadership learning, wellness, and social activities; and signature industry events, including an Annual "Nine, Wine & Dine" Golf Tournament, International Women’s Day breakfast, and an Annual Dinner.
Cathy benjamin-ostrander
Board Director
MEAGHAN BHIM (SNC LAVALIN)
committee member
michelle kearns (access
planning) Committee member
dana nassif (wsp)
Committee member
eva barnard (metrolinx)
committee co-Chair
helen deng (metrolinx)
committee member
shannon mcneill (Gannett
fleming) committee member
anca popa (ttc)
committee member
katie pelly (Ellisdon)
committee co-Chair
allison hurley (ellis don)
committee member
ashley mustafa (gannett
fleming) committee member
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
The Scholarship Committee was assembled in 2014 to create, manage, and implement a process for selecting, awarding and disbursing scholarship funds on behalf of the Chapter. The Committee has recommended to the Board the adoption of a Scholarship process which defines the general nature of scholarship process in accordance with WTS International practice, defines the Sponsor-specific parameters for an individual Scholarship, identifies the capture area and fields of studies and other eligibility requirements for candidates and identifies the evaluation and selection criteria.
Maria Doyle (Metrolinx)
board director
kathryn deschamps (city of
toronto) committee member
leen qwider (wsp)
committee member
larisse nana kouadjo
(metrolinx) committee c0-chair
rebecca farrugia (ghd)
committee member
Zahra sadeghigivi (ONxpress Transportation Partners)
committee member
Lily KIM (wsp)
committee c0-chair
Batool Husnain (Deloitte)
Committee member
SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE
The Sponsorship Committee is responsible for spearheading the efforts to obtain financial support for the Toronto Area Chapter for special events, professional development activities and the Scholarship Program. The Committee's responsibilities include establishing the goals and developing the Annual Sponsorship Program, coordinating with the transportation industry organizations to solicit and confirm contribution levels and coordinating with other Chapter Committees to ensure that Corporate Sponsors are recognized at all events and communications.
Cathy Benjamin-Ostrander
(AECOM) Committee Member
Satyajeet Sarangi (Metrolinx)
Committee Member
Kathy Calleja (AECOM)
Committee Member
Katherine Deschamps (City
of Toronto) Committee Member