The Executive Board leads the WTS Philadelphia Chapter, achieving its core mission of advancing women and minorities in transportation. 

We asked the executive board to share what drove them to serve on the executive board and the lessons they’ve learned within their roles. 

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Abbey Gancz, President 

1. I knew that continuing on in WTS Philadelphia leadership would be a great learning experience for me, and I also wanted to serve on the executive team because I believe in the mission of WTS.
2. I’ve learned the importance of building close relationships. Teams work better together when there is trust and strong communication, and those elements are especially important in a volunteer setting when we are all balancing other responsibilities. And good relationships make the work more fun!
3. It is really the other officers, directors, and volunteers who do the hard work. I was initially surprised at how much of my role is connecting, whether it's connecting committees to each other when I see that they need to talk to each other to maximize impact, or connecting people to other people who can help them or get them involved.
4. In a few key ways. I take periodic overviews of all we are doing as an organization to check for diversity across our external-facing programs, including speakers, panelists, and cohorts. I have also made an effort to put together a diverse board and welcome volunteers from different backgrounds so our internal functions are also inclusive.

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Alexis Williams, President Elect 

1. I was motivated by a desire to support a community that has shaped my own professional growth since I first joined WTS Philadelphia over a decade ago.
2. I’ve learned how important it is to recognize the strengths of others and lean into collaboration. It takes many hands to successfully run a volunteer-led organization.
3. People may be surprised by how much behind-the-scenes coordination goes into keeping the chapter running smoothly. For every board meeting that takes place, there are numerous calls, texts, and emails that both precede and follow.
4. EDI shows up in our decision-making, as we try to ensure our programs, leadership pathways, and partnerships reflect the full diversity of the Philadelphia transportation community.

 

 

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Jaclyn Whelan, Vice President 

1. I was motivated to serve on the executive team because I wanted to play a more active role in supporting and celebrating the transportation community in Philadelphia. WTS creates meaningful opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and connection, and I wanted to help strengthen those opportunities for both current and future members. Serving on the board has also allowed me to give back to an organization that has had a positive impact on my own professional growth. 
2. Serving on the executive team has reinforced the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and communication.
3. One aspect of the Vice President's role that may surprise people is the amount of behind-the-scenes coordination the role provides for chapter events. As the lead in coordinating chapter correspondence, it requires thoughtful planning, attention to detail, and responsiveness to ensure people stay informed and engaged. A significant amount of work goes into maintaining clear communication and creating a positive and engaging experience.
4. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are reflected in the way we communicate, engage members, and create opportunities for participation within the chapter.

 

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Kelly Freeman, Secretary 

1. It was an easy choice to step up given my strong belief in our mission to advance women and minorities in transportation – and integrate EDI into everything we do. I have enjoyed participating in various roles in the organization and the board, and the opportunity to steward the mission more broadly has been an honor. There is always more work to do, and, specifically, getting more exposure to our Chapter’s outreach efforts with young people via TransportationYou, our Student Chapter, and the Scholarship program was especially exciting.

1. There are certainly differences leading within an entirely volunteer organization versus in our professional roles, and my experience on the executive team thus far has further shown me that more voices, more perspectives, and more collaboration aid the mission and help us excel as an organization. I’m working to make sure our board members are informed, invited to participate in conversations and decision-making, and aware of opportunities within the organization – I believe my role in my day job will benefit from this experience too!   
2. One example in my role as Secretary that may be surprising is how EDI shows up while developing our table arrangements for our larger events. Part of equity is understanding that not everyone has the same access to opportunities and our industry leaders, and ensuring our table arrangements, particularly head tables, not only feature our sponsors but also reflect the diversity of our membership.  This is critical to me and our mission overall; WTS can help bridge the gap!
3. I am happy to say that it is everywhere – It is the lens through which we view all we do. In my role, I enjoy elevating diverse voices in the speakers we choose to feature at events, as well as in the makeup of our board itself.  This may seem small on its face but making sure that talented people can see themselves in our industry and feel welcomed into it is very impactful, and I’m proud to play a part in it.

 

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Api Appulingam, Immediate Past President

1. I was driven to serve on the executive team by a combination of personal growth, professional alignment, and a desire to contribute to something larger than myself 

4)  Equity, diversity, and inclusion show up in how I share context with past successful efforts to build continuity and progress. It also shows up when I support emerging women through mentorship and by elevating their voices.