WTS International and the WTS Foundation announced they have honored scholarship and annual award recipients during their Annual Gala, held at the Georgia Aquarium in conjunction with the 2023 WTS International Annual Conference: The Great Intersection, in Atlanta, Georgia.

"It is an honor to recognize the individuals and organizations who continually demonstrate their excellence and influence in transportation," said Jannet Walker-Ford, chair, WTS International Board of Directors. "This year’s awardees embody the values integral to WTS: a commitment to building a diverse future workforce; instituting equity, diversity, and inclusion in their own organizations; closing the gap for professional women in transportation, and acting as allies, both personally and professionally."

This year, WTS International also instituted a new award, the Eleanor Holmes Norton Award, designed to honor elected officials who are supporters and creators of effective transportation policy. 

WTS International Award Honorees

Employer of the Year 

California High-Speed Rail Authority

Innovative Transportation Solutions Award 

Fare-Free Youth Transit: King County Metro

Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award

Veronica O. Davis, City of Houston

Honorable Ray LaHood Award

Stephen Gardner, CEO, Amtrak

Member of the Year 

Barb Wells, CDM Smith and WTS Kansas City Chapter

Eleanor Holmes Norton Award

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D- DC)

Woman of the Year

Marsha Bomar Anderson, Commissioner Emeritus, Atlanta DOT

Mary Peters Inspirational Leader Award

Therese McMillan

WTS Foundation Scholarships

Also honored at the 2023 Awards Gala were 10 recipients of WTS Foundation scholarships.

The WTS Foundation supports high school, undergraduate, and graduate-level students pursuing studies in transportation-related fields.

This year, the foundation provided $50,000 dollars in funding at the event. Annually, the foundation awards close to $700,000 in scholarships. 

"It takes a special person to model the values we want to see in our transportation workforce. This year’s award honorees are no exception – all our awardees and scholarship recipients are inspirational in their commitment to advance women, advance the industry, and advance a new generation of leaders” said Sara Stickler, president/CEO, WTS International. “It’s a pleasure to celebrate their dedication and talents.”