WTS CT 2023 Year in Review Newsletter

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ANNUAL AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET April 27, 2023 St. Clements Castle, Portland, CT

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coffee & Conversations

Globally, women remain underrepresented in science technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. The problem is, compared to male counterparts; fewer women in engineering hold leadership roles in the science technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industry resulting in workplace inequity. Leaders in the STEM fields risk organizations’ long-term sustainability, competitive advantage, increased organizational and team performance, and the potential of meeting strategic planning goals resulting from the lack of a gender-balanced leadership team.

September 14, 2023 for what women can do to advance into leadership and how others can support them. The discussion was guided by viewing the TED Talk ‘Three Ways to be a Better Ally in the Workplace’. Writer and advocate Melinda Elper talked about how we can improve people’s chances for success at work by being allies to those who may face discrimination. In this motivational talk, Melinda provided us with three ways to be a better ally in the workplace. Following the video, participants discussed how they could apply the strategies Melinda provided and additional ways to advocate for underrepresented people in the workplace. A roundtable discussion where we discussed overcoming challenges and what a potential future workplace could be. November 30, 2023

WTS Connecticut Chapter’s annual awards and scholarship dinner highlights individuals, firms, and projects that have helped transform the transportation industry and our Chapter. Congratulations to our winners: Woman of the Year: Carla D. Tillery. FHI Studio Employer of the Year: FHI Studio Member of the Year: Katherine Hedberg-Klose, CTDOT Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership: Dr. Tamara B. Smith, AECOM

Honorary Member: Senator Christine Cohen, Connecticut General Assembly Scholarship Recipients: Emma Petersen, Paige Diciccio, Megan Goulden, Gabriela Spash

May 25, 2023

Dr. Tamara B. Smith discussed results from a research study on The Status of Women in STEM Leadership Positions.