The WTS-Boston Chapter held its April Luncheon Seminar on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the UMass Club in Boston. 

Sarah Bergman, WTS-Boston President, welcomed guests at the fully booked event. Before introducing our speakers, she acknowledged and thanked our corporate sponsors. Thanks to the efforts of our members, leadership, and sponsors, Boston was announced as the largest and one of the most influential chapters in the overall WTS International Organization.

Sarah then introduced Anna Barry (HNTB) as the moderator and the four panelists, Mary Jane O'Meara (HNTB), Anne Aylward U.S. DOT/Volpe Center, retired), Dorri Raposa (HDR, retired), and Lisa Brothers (Nitsch Engineering). Sarah also introduced WTSI Chair Bridgette Beato (Lumenor Consulting Group), former WTSI Chair Maggie Walsh (HDR), WTSI Director Karen Kitsis (CTDOT), and WTSI Director Alexa Gangemi (HNTB) as attendees. Bridgette shared her gratitude and respect for WTS-Boston's former leadership, stating their resilience and dedication has left a powerful legacy in Boston and beyond. 

The panelists, which included Past-Presidents and Directors of the WTS-Boston Chapter, shared their experiences, pivotal moments in their careers, and takeaways as trailblazing women in the transportation industry. WTS, standing for Women's Transportation Seminar, was intentionally named at its creation because women were largely discouraged from participating in professional associations unless the activities were deemed educational in the form of seminars. Similar to the founding members, the panelists supported one another and advanced their careers through WTS connections. Over the 45 years since the Chapter's creation, these trailblazing women transformed the transportation industry into a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable one.

Also celebrated was the impactful, decade-long Public Art Project commissioned by WTS-Boston, in partnership with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The Public Art Project features a mosaic titled "Network" at the entrance to Boston’s South Station to celebrate the contributions of women to transportation and references the greater Boston transportation network. It also references the hidden work of women represented by almost invisible, surveying mermaids. 

Special thanks to our Programs Committee for planning and running this event, especially event champion, Mohammad Azadani (HNTB), co-chairs Julie Goldberg (BSC Group) and Lisa Juan (Kimley-Horn), and their board liaison, Kari Richards (HDR).

For additional photos, please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wts_boston/albums/72177720324995711 

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