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:

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

[email protected]

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.

andrea lendak (ARCADIS)

board sponsor

Laura Lehming (TTC)

Committee member

Paria sarshar (wsp)

COMMITTEE co-CHAIR

Joanne garcia (aecom)

committee member

annette crisson (jacobs)

COMMITTEE co-CHAIR

Victoria Gao (ARCADIS)

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.

Maria Doyle (Metrolinx)

BOARD director

Swati Panwar (City of toronto)

Committee member

Helen Wright (CIMA+)

COMMITTEE CHAIR

Jennifer Neice (City of toronto)

Committee member

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

[email protected]

The Membership Committee’s objective is to work with WTS International to track, manage and welcome new and returning members to the Toronto Area Chapter. The Membership Committee is also responsible for helping to solve any challenges that arise with membership.

larisse nana kouadjo (egis)

board sponsor

Ksenia Anufrieva (arcadis)

committee member

Nesie Keith sienda

committee member

kathy calleja (AECOM)

committee C0-chair

Monika Das (wsp)

committee member

Amra Hosein (hatch)

committee C0-chair

kayla moran (aecom)

committee member

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM COMMITTEE

[email protected]

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.

linda mckenzie (jacobs)

BOARD director

ELla Sherafat (wsp)

committee member

Yasaman Shahtateri (aecom)

committee member

TAmmy Smith (TTC)

committee Co-chair

Anca popa (TTC)

Committee member

saloni shah (HDR)

Committee member

Pavani Perera (wsp)

COmmittee Co-Chair

Sheryl li (HDR)

committee member

PROGRAMS COMMITTEE

[email protected]

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.

Katie Pelly (AECOM)

Board Director

Anam rafiq (metrolinx)

committee member

Chantel Yung (wsp)

Committee member

helen deng (metrolinx)

Committee member

Nicole El-Sayah (ellisdon)

Committee member

Cai Lin Yang (metrolinx)

committee co-Chair

Avin Farshad (WSP)

committee member

Christina Johansson (WSP)

committee member

Helen Wright (cima+)

committee member

Lauren Craik (metrolinx)

Committee member

Fernanda rodrigues (parsons)

committee co-Chair

anca popa (TTC)

committee member

Aurore Larson (BECHTEL)

committee member

Danielle Tekker (parsons)

committee member

lara banic (ellisdon)

Committee member

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

[email protected]

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.

rebecca faruggia (GHD)

board director

Salia Kalali (City of Markham)

committee member

Leen Qwider (wsp)

committee c0-chair

Reem Salameh (stantec)

committee member

Zahra Sadeghigivi (onxpress)

committee c0-chair

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