Award & Scholarship Honorees
2026 Recognition Award Recipients
Woman of the Year
Marie Therese Dominguez, Commissioner, New York State Department of Transportation
Member of the Year
Steph Bogue, Vice President, WTS Connecticut; Transportation Engineer and Professional Development Manager, HNTB
Employer of the Year
HDR, Inc.
Innovative Transportation Solutions Award
Valley Metro, South Central/Downtown Hub Light Rail Extension Project – Phoenix, AZ
Honorable Ray LaHood Award
Randy Clarke, General Manager & CEO, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority
Mary Peters Inspirational Leader Award
Paula Hammond, Chair, WTS International Board of Directors 2020-2022; National Transportation Market Leader, WSP
2026 Scholarship Recipients
HNTB Strategic Partner Scholarships
Clarissa Avalos, University of Southern California
Angel Lucian, South Carolina State University
AECOM Strategic Partner Scholarship
Sylvie Guezeon, University of Minnesota
HDR Strategic Partner Scholarships
Ruby Foxall, New York University
Madalyn Sharp, Clemson University
Jacobs Strategic Partner Scholarship
Lydia Pascale Estefo, Grand Canyon University; Community College of the Air Force
WSP Strategic Partner Scholarship
Lidya Woldeyesus, Georgetown University
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
Kelly Lige, Howard University
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship
Dakota Gross, San José State University
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates
Sonali Jepal, Rutgers University
Junior College/Trade School Scholarship
Lauren Stettbacher, Fox Valley Technical College
WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship
Laura Romero, Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School
Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduates
Maria Carolina Lecompte, University of California, Davis
Past Recipients
2025 Recognition Award Recipients
Woman of the Year
Cassaundra Rouse, Executive Director, Illinois Tollway
Member of the Year
Alexa Gangemi, WTS International Board of Directors 2024-2026; Vice President and Senior Project Manager, HNTB
Employer of the Year
Innovative Transportation Solutions Award
Sarah Searcy, Emerging Technologies and Innovation Manager, North Carolina Department of Transportation
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award
Genoveva Arellano, Owner and Principal, Arellano Associates
Honorable Ray LaHood Award
David Didier, Chief Operating Officer - East Region, AECOM
Mary Peters Inspirational Leader Award
Mary Jane O’Meara, Vice President and National Tolling Representative, HNTB
2025 Scholarship Recipients
HNTB Strategic Partner Scholarships
Thalia Christoforatos, Northeastern University
Veronica De Santos Quezada, University of California, Los Angeles
AECOM Strategic Partner Scholarship
Yasmine Al Moghrabi, Florida International University
HDR Strategic Partner Scholarship
Francisca Kasubi, Florida International University
Jacobs Strategic Partner Scholarship
Adrianna Lucia Fragozo Alvernia, University of New Mexico
WSP Strategic Partner Scholarship
Kennedy Stephens, Howard University
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
Claudia Boero, Mercer University
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship
Zhichen Lui, University of Michigan
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates
Madison Masters, Oklahoma State University
Junior College and Trade School Scholarship
Caitlin Schuldt, Aims Community College (Flight Center)
WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship
Trisha Patel, Folsom High School
Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduates
Claire McGinnis, University of California, Davis