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The WTS-Boston Chapter held its February Luncheon Seminar on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill. The panel was moderated by Jabes Rojas, Assistant General Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the MBTA, and featured Dr. Constanza "Connie" Cabello (State Street), Dr. Shirley Knowles (Tulios Consulting), Claire Cooper (The Partnership), and Emily Nash (Foley Hoag LLP). Drawing on the panelists' interdisciplinary experience, the discussion focused on best practices for recruiting, retaining, and advancing women in the workplace across sectors.

WTS-Boston President Sarah Bergman opened the event by welcoming approximately 120 attendees from both the public and private sectors. She emphasized the importance of advancing women in the transportation industry and highlighted how this work aligns with WTS-Boston's core values.

The panel began by underscoring the importance of inclusive workplace practices to both attract and retain women. Dr. Cabello noted that diverse teams drive innovation and lead to stronger decision-making and collaboration. Dr. Knowles agreed, adding that inclusive cultures shape how employees show up at work and that prioritizing employee health and well-being boosts morale and performance.

Panelists then shared strategies their organizations use to retain women. Emily Nash highlighted the value of mentorship and the impact of formal mentorship programs in fostering support, belonging, and professional growth. Claire Cooper emphasized the importance of building internal and external networks through various channels that encourage development and help align personal and professional goals with organizational and industry objectives. The panel also stressed that mentorship should be paired with sponsorship and active advocacy to meaningfully advance women in their careers.

As the event concluded, panelists offered actionable advice to the audience. They encouraged participants to be creative and persistent in the work of advancing women in the industry, to stay hopeful, and to rely on data that demonstrates the value of inclusive leadership and robust support systems.

WTS-Boston extends special thanks to the Programs Committee and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for planning and executing this successful event, as well as to our event champions and leadership team for ensuring a smooth and engaging luncheon.

For more information on the advancement of women in the workplace, please see the following articles shared by Dr. Knowles: 
https://thewomensedge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/7th-Annual-Womens-Leadership-Impact-Study-PDF.pdf
https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2025/08/20/dei-in-transition-2025-corporate-diversity-disclosure-trends/

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