Dawn Tucker-Thomas, University Grants Manager, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, U.S. Department of Transportation How did you get your start in the transportation industry? While attending undergraduate school, my first internship opportunity was with the National Aeronautics & Space Administration’s Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars Program, where I participated in a study focusing on aircraft-air traffic control integration research. Upon graduating from Hampton University in the early 90s with my B.S. in Airway Science, companies in

Kimberly Slaughter, CEO, SYSTRA USA   How did you get your start in the transportation industry? I started as an intern with Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. about one month before I started graduate school. Best advice ever received? Strive to be a self-actualized being to deliver your best self personally and professionally. What is your superpower? The gift and challenge of being a woman of color. List three positive words to describe you. Resilient. Inclusive. Discerning. Visionary. What’s

Vanessa E. Wyche, Director, NASA Johnson Space Center   How did you get your start in the transportation industry? I’ve had lots of very exciting positions throughout my career, starting as an engineer with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration evaluating medical devices, to developing projects to perform biological studies on astronauts at NASA.  I oversaw entire Space Shuttle missions as a flight manager and led an organization of scientists and engineers developing plans for human missions to the Moon

Verdenia C. Baker Administrator, Palm Beach County   How did you get your start in the transportation industry? I served as the budget analyst for Palm Tran, our mass transit system, many years ago.  I work very closely with the Executive Director of Palm Tran for Palm Beach County, as he works to transform our transit system to meet the demands of the community. Who are some women who’ve inspired you? Elloease C. Paschal (My Mother and Her Sisters) Michele

Alva Carrasco, President, Latinos In Transit Board of Directors; Vice President – Transit & Rail National Business Line, West Regional Market Lead, WSP USA  How did you get your start in the transportation industry? I began my career in public transit as a staff assistant at Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus. I was responsible for customer service and administrative support. I thought of it as a steady paycheck and good benefits when I took the job. Within a year, I

Claire M. Williams, Executive Vice President, KDM Engineering   How did you get your start in the transportation industry? In 1996, Deborah Sawyer asked me to come work for her engineering firm in Chicago. At the time, I committed to working with Deborah who was a family friend, for five years and started off with marketing and handling all the proposals for the firm that had just 15 employees. Within a year, the firm doubled in size and began to

Petra Mollet, Vice President, Strategic and International Programs, American Public Transportation Association   How did you get your start in the transportation industry? Right out of college, I aimed to become a journalist. That led me to my first freelance job as a writer and researcher in the transportation industry. I got hooked immediately and have never looked back.   Best advice ever received? Don’t make assumptions Listening and asking the right questions is a vital skill Always be clear

Michele Wong Krause, Chair, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors How did you get your start in the transportation industry? A Dallas City Council Member asked me if I would be interested in serving on DART. As a child, I rode public transit. As an adult and business owner, I valued public transit and located my office near a DART light rail line. Who are some women who’ve inspired you? My mother taught me the value and necessity of

Beverly J. Watts, Director, Wayne County Department of Public Services   How did you get your start in the transportation industry? When I began my career in Wayne County, I wanted to be a part of the plan to connect counties, especially for our underserved communities. Who are some women who’ve inspired you? My mother, Cicely Tyson, and Federal Judge Linda Parker, to name a few. Best advice ever received? “Work Hard Stay Humble” What is your superpower? Performing under

Melissa Rolle-Scott, Transit Section Chief, Office of Safety & Security, Miami-Dade Department of Transportation & Public Works   How did you get your start in the transportation industry? My transportation journey began in 1992 upon returning from overseas as a military spouse. I relocated back to Miami and was looking to work in the manufacturing industry or continue as an Outside Plant Engineer with the telephone company. Unfortunately, the telephone company implemented a hiring freeze, and there were no immediate