New Members
WTS Minnesota welcomes the following new and returning members:
Leila Bunge
Kimley-Horn
Jennifer Cooper
University of Minnesota
Michelle Fure
Metropolitan Council
Gayle Gartner
Metro Transit
Morgan Hoxsie
Kimley-Horn
Theresa Maahs
Stantec
Nicole Peterson
HR Green
Lacy Shelby
City of Minneapolis
|
Save the Dates for Upcoming Programs!
Book Club: 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking'
St. Paul - Hosted by Kathy Lantry, St. Paul Public Works Director
Friday, Sept. 18th
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
George Latimer Central Library
Minneapolis - Hosted by Lisa Bender, Minneapolis City Council
Wednesday, Sept. 23rd
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Wedge Table
Visit our Events page for more information including registration.
|
Job Postings
Help us spread the word about available positions by sending new posting information to Laura Eash.
|
Corporate Partners
Thank you to our 2015 corporate partners:
Stantec
Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc.
HDR, Inc.
AECOM
Bolton & Menk, Inc.
Braun Intertec
HR Green
SRF Consulting
SEH, Inc.
Parsons Brinckerhoff
WSB & Associates, Inc.
Pierce Pini & Associates, Inc.
Professional Engineering Services, Ltd.
Rani Engineering
Stonebrooke
See your name here, and support the advancement of women in transportation! For more information about becoming a corporate partner, visit our website.
|
Has your email address changed?
Please email Kathleen Mayell with your new address and don't forget to update your email address with WTS International as well.
| |
2015 WTS MinnesotaBoard of DirectorsPresident
Vice President
Secretary
Past President
Programs Co-Director
Development Director
Special Events Director
|
2015 WTS Minnesota Advisory Board
Donna Allan WTS Past President
Laura Amundson Parsons Brinckerhoff
Kristin Asher City of Richfield
Gina Baas Center for Transportation Studies
Debra Brisk Hennepin County
Biz Colburn WTS Past President
Sandy Cullen
University of Minnesota
Margaret Donahoe
Minnesota Transportation Alliance
Mary Gute CH2M HILL
Judy Hollander Hennepin County
Ann Johnson P.E. Services
Wanda Kirkpatrick Metropolitan Council
Connie Kozlak Metropolitan Council
Jessica Laabs Kimley-Horn & Associates
Stephanie Malinoff Center for Transportation Studies
Scott McBride
MnDOT
Laurie McGinnis Center for Transportation Studies
Dan Meyers URS
Amber Nord Isthmus Engineering
Lisa Raduenz Olsson Associates
Dawn Spanhake Center for Transportation Studies
Amy Vennewitz Metropolitan Council
Charleen Zimmer Zan Associates
|
|
President's Column
Dear WTS Members and Friends,
Often when I'm out in the world, I'm engrossed by the people I'm with, the activity I'm participating in or the thoughts in my head. I know this because sometimes I notice something for the first time that I know I must encounter on a regular basis. Other times, I think twice about the decisions we make...and write long columns.
A few weeks ago, my husband and I spent a beautiful evening at Target Field. We were still basking in the glow of the seven-run bottom of the ninth (including a three-run walk-off homer) on the Green Line train home. The glow was dimmed slightly by each rowdy, intoxicated group boarding at the downtown stops, until my attention was drawn away by a stark contrast. Quietly wedged among the unaware were a couple of young men who, despite their sight impairments, seemed the most conscious of their surroundings. They had just seen Weezer at the Basilica Block Party and my husband had noted the awesomeness of one's Blue Album t-shirt.
These guys were unassuming. They were recounting the concert in a corner by the door, content with their ride home. The more I observed them and thought about their evening, the more questions I had, including:
Most interesting to me was why they didn't seem frustrated. Have they been conditioned to accept these inconveniences and be content they have a ride? Are we doing everything we can (within cost and feasibility constraints)? Are we fulfilling our responsibilities to all or just the vocal and entitled?
This month, WTS Minnesota hosted an accessibility program, where participants were reminded that it's not about checking off boxes, but about doing what's right. The program raised our awareness and forced us to focus on the experience of others for a while.
As the Minnesota State Fair season approaches (of COURSE I worked the state fair into this column!), I encourage us all to look deeper in our people-watching and put our observations to good use.
Happy fair-going and safe returns to school,
HunWen Westman
President, WTS Minnesota
|
It's Scholarship Season!
WTS is focused on transforming the transportation industry through the advancement of women. One way we try to achieve that is through annual scholarships. The WTS MN scholarship process will take place September 1st - October 16th. We offer three scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students with at least a 3.0 GPA, and they either have to be a MN resident or enrolled in a MN school. Start spreading the word to your interns, networks, and family friends! More information will be posted on the WTS MN website by September 1st.
|
Corporate Partner Spotlight
WTS Minnesota would like to thank our 2015 Small Business Supporter level (DBE) partners: Pierce Pini & Associates, Inc.; Professional Engineering Services; Rani Engineering; and Stonebrooke. All of our Small Business Supporters are women-owned firms which embody the WTS Minnesota mission of transforming the transportation industry through the advancement of women. With their help, WTS Minnesota hopes to inspire the next generation of women-owned transportation firms here in the Twin Cities.
|
Become a 2016 Corporate Partner
Why partner with WTS?
The WTS Minnesota Chapter's mission is to transform the transportation industry through the advancement of women. With your help, we provide access to unique opportunities, which include:
* Access Leaders in the local transportation field with intimate, members-only programs.
* Professional Development with fun and relevant topics at our local programs and unique opportunities like attending the WTS National Conference.
* Inspiring a New Generation of Women by connecting with local girls through our TransportationYOU program to introduce them to the transportation industry.
* Support Tomorrow's Leaders by providing scholarships to graduate and undergraduate female students pursuing transportation-related fields.
What Benefits are offered to Corporate Partners?
With three great levels, Small Business Supporter (DBE), Supporter, and Advocate, there are options for every commitment level. By becoming a partner you will take an active part in helping spread the WTS Minnesota mission. Visit the WTS Minnesota webpage for details.
How do I become a Corporate Partner?
Contact Morgan Abbott to participate in the 2016 Corporate Partnership Program.
|
Recap: August Program
The August 13th program was hosted by SRF Consulting in St. Paul. We had 26 people in attendance to hear from Kristin Jornby (Olmstead Implementation Office) and Tara McBride (MnDOT) on accessibility. Kristin provided background and information on the Olmstead Plan, explaining the legal requirements of the plan and its requirements for transportation. Tara then discussed what MnDOT has been doing on the system to address accessibility and what designers need to know to meet the requirements. Several of the attendees then went on an accessibility walking tour to Surly Brewery for happy hour.
|
Recap: July Program
On July 22nd approximately 60 people participated in the St Croix River Crossing Boat Tour. The weather was perfect! Information was shared on the boat during the entire tour by MnDOT's Todd Clarkowski & Terry Zoller. Todd primarily spoke about the history of the Stillwater Lift Bridge and the area. Terry provided lots of details about the construction details, materials and methods of construction for the new crossing. After the tour we went to happy hour at the Freight House in Stillwater - where we had a tremendous turnout of over 40 people.
|
TYOU Update
Have you been thinking about a way to get involved with WTS, specifically the TYOU program? Now is your opportunity! We are starting the planning process for this year's TYOU program at Blaine High School and we need your help! We are looking for WTS members that are interested in being on the TYOU committee (helping develop this year's TYOU program) and we are also looking for mentors! Please contact Lisa Rasmussen if you are interested in becoming part of the TYOU team!
|
|
Congratulations to Kristina Nesse, who passed the AICP exam and is now a certified planner!
Congratulations to HunWen Westman, who now works at the City of St. Paul in Public Works!
WTS MN Past President Molly Stewart and her husband Chris welcomed a baby boy, Oscar Thomas Sapp, on June 25th! Congrats to Molly also for now being certified as a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer!
**********************************************************
Have member news to share? Send in snippets about job changes, life milestones, and other accomplishments to Laura Eash so we can keep track of and recognize our colleagues!
|
|
|
|