WTS Central VA Summer Newsletter 2025
April - June 2025 Program Recaps
Workplace Negotiations with University of Richmond Professor, Richard Coughlan
On April 9th, WTSCVA hosted a virtual education event taught by Professor Richard Coughlan from the University of Richmond. Attendees learned key strategies and skills required to excel in professional negotiations. Professor Coughlan instructed attendees on techniques and best practices to achieve their goals. He also offered practical advice and explored how negotiation strategies can be tailored to meet the unique demands of the transportation sector.
Lunch & Lens: Professional Headshots
On April 24, 2025, the Central VA Chapter hosted a professional headshots event where attendees could take a new headshot, receive a boxed lunch, and participate in networking. This was a great opportunity to update everyone's professional photos in a unique, relaxed setting. the vision of WTS International is, "Equity and access for women in transportation." This event was cost-effective and provided attendees an easily accessible way to update their professional headshots. Smiles were in abundance and attendees loved their final images.
Annual State of Transportation
On May 29th, WTSCVA hosted our Annual State of Transportation event at Brambly Park. Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Commissioner, Stephen Brich, PE, Richmond International Airport CFO, Basil Dosunmu, and Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transport (DRPT) Director Tiffany Robinson discussed their respective programs, funding challenges, upcoming projects, professional lessons learned, and insights on how to grow professionally. This event was graciously sponsored by HNTB and Wallace Montgomery.
Joint Social
On June 12th, WTSCVA, APWA, ASCE, ASHE, SWE, and VA-SITE hosted a fun joint social networking event at Southern Railway Taphouse. Folks from multiple professional networks attended and enjoyed conversation about transportation industry topics over appetizers! The event was a great success!
Nominations Open: Annual Chapter Awards and Recognitions
The Central Virginia Chapter Annual Chapter Awards and Recognitions will take place on September 25th at the Virginia War Memorial. These awards recognize formidable women and men in the transportation industry, diverse and encouraging firms, impeccable WTSCA Board members, and innovative projects. Award categories for 2025 include:
- Woman of the Year
- Member of the Year
- Ray LaHood Award
- Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award
- Employer of the Year
- Sponsor of the Year
- Innovative Transportation Solution
Nomination forms can be found here.
Upcoming Events
Keep an eye on your inbox for details on the following upcoming events:
- Contractors Round Table on July 22nd at Luck Companies. Register and learn more here.
- WTS Central VA and ASCE Virginia Inaugural Pickleball Tournament on August 22nd. Learn more and register here.
- Annual Awards and Recognitions will be held on September 25th from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Virginia War Memorial. More details will come in the future!
Thank you to our Sponsors
Each year, our Platinum and Benefactor sponsors go above and beyond to support not only our chapter, but also our local community and women across the transportation industry. We invite to learn more about our sponsors by clicking here.
Looking to Get more Involved?
Join a Committee
Make the most of your membership by joining one of our committees. Committees include communications, sponsorship, membership, programs, scholarship, and Transportation YOU. If you're interested in taking a more active role within the chapter, please contact our 2025 Chapter President, Alexa Overeem, at [email protected].
Transportation YOU Volunteers Needed
The Central VA Chapter will be partnering with the NextUp RVA and City of Richmond Public Schools to offer our Transportation YOU weekly after-school sessions for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. For 2024, we worked with both Lucille M Brown and Thomas Henderson Middle School to bring STEM to 15 young women. We plan on volunteering again during the Winter Session (January - March) of the 2025-2026 School Year. From September - December, Transportation YOU will be focusing on our Transportation YOU webinars, attending career fairs and in-school presentations. Current members, in good standing, interested in volunteering their time should complete the volunteer form found here. Unable to volunteer your time, but still want to help out? Contact Savannah Amor Kappeler if your company is interested in sponsoring one of our weekly sessions.