10/16/2026
Last week in Chicago, WTS International and the WTS Foundation connected with transportation colleagues during APTA TRANSform & EXPO.
CEO and Executive Director Malika Reed Wilkins, PhD, APR, kicked off the week with welcome remarks at the APTA Board meeting on behalf of WTS International and Board Chair Erin Slayton. On Sunday, she joined WTS International Immediate Past Chair Bridgette Beato to share a comprehensive WTS update at the Strategic Engagement Council meeting.
On Sunday evening, WTS was proud to sponsor and participate in the APTA Foundation’s Speed Networking event, connecting more than 250 young professionals with experienced industry colleagues. Thank you to WTS Foundation Chair Odessa L. Phillip, PE, and Immediate Past Chair Yvonne Lopez-Diaz for their support and participation.
Dr. Wilkins also participated in an engaging panel - ‘5 Generations at Work: CEO Strategies for Engagement,’ - sharing perspectives on leading a multigenerational workforce.
We concluded our conference activities with the WTS Greater Chicago Chapter, bringing International and Foundation leaders together with our chapter community. Thank you to Chapter President Mary Lou Kutska, PE SE, for the warm welcome.
We appreciate our International and Foundation board members for their engagement throughout the week: Erin Slayton, Odessa L. Phillip, PE, Bridgette Beato, Yvonne Lopez-Diaz, Jennifer Duval, AICP, Jennifer Bassett-Hales, Amanda Vandergrift, and Monica Backmon.