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WTS-Boston is proud to announce that Maureen McDonough, Chief of Capital Program Support at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (Retired), has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Woman of the Year Award. This prestigious honor recognizes a leader in transportation who makes outstanding contributions to the industry, contributes to the advancement of women through programs or opportunities, and advances the reputation and credibility of women in transportation.

Maureen McDonough is both an engineer and an attorney with over 40 years of experience in the AEC Industry.  Her most recent role in transportation started in June 2020 as the Deputy Chief of Capital Program Support for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and then she was promoted to Chief of Capital Program Support responsible for Contract Services, Project Controls, Quality Assurance, Field Services and Transit Oriented Development (TOD).  In addition to her role as Chief of CPS, in 2023, GM Eng asked Maureen to take over the role of Program Manager for Green Line Extension responsible for fixing the tight gauge, resolving all claims, and closing out the billion-dollar program. The Program was substantially complete in September 2025 and reached final acceptance in November 2025. 

Prior to joining the MBTA, Maureen held several senior leadership positions including as Risk and Claims Manager for the Boston Harbor Project, Assistant Director of Capital Programs for Massport, Senior Director of Administration Strategies for Harvard University, and Chief Risk Officer for Suffolk Construction. Maureen was also the President of MAM Strategic Advisory Group, running her own consulting business before returning to the public sector at the MBTA.  She is considered an expert in project delivery with a focus on procurement, development and negotiation of contracts, risk management and dispute resolution. 

Maureen has a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School and was admitted to the MA Bar in 1988.  She also has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University.  Maureen’s contributions to her community have been well recognized by a range of organizations.  She received the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Citation for Outstanding Performance in 2021, the Northeastern University Civil Engineering Outstanding Alumni Award in 2020, the New England Person of the Year Award from CMAA in 2017 and the Manuel Carballo Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service in 2003.  Maureen has been a member of many boards for various organizations and institutions throughout her career, but her true passion is being a supporter of young women in the industry.  She is a mentor to countless women in the construction industry and is a founder of WELL (Women’s Exchange for Leadership and Living) where she actively participated in mentoring women for almost 15 years. 

After more than 4 decades in the construction industry, as a senior leader on public and private multi-billion-dollar capital improvement programs including the Boston Harbor Clean-up, the Modernization of Logan Airport and Allston Development for Harvard University, Maureen retired on August 1, 2025.  Upon her retirement, she received the Governor’s Citation honoring her dedicated service to the state of Massachusetts.  She resides in Canton, MA with her husband Louis Tarmy, and their two children, Griffin and Kierce. 

WTS-Boston congratulates Maureen McDonough on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her invaluable contributions to the industry and the advancement of women in transportation.

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