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Event Recap: WTS Central Florida's 27th Annual Awards & Scholarship Banquet
WGI
3 min read
WTS Central Florida, a chapter of the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS), recently hosted its 27th Annual Awards & Scholarship Banquet—a spectacular evening to celebrate achievements, inspire future leaders, and reinforce the chapter’s commitment to advancing women in transportation.
WGI’s Continued Commitment to Sponsorship
As a proud annual sponsor of WTS Central Florida and a dedicated supporter of the Awards & Scholarship Banquet, WGI remains steadfast in its mission to foster diversity and inclusivity within the transportation and infrastructure industries. Our sponsorship underscores our belief in empowering female professionals and building a brighter future for the industry.A Night to Celebrate and Inspire
This year’s banquet welcomed more than 200 attendees—an extraordinary gathering of transportation professionals, advocates, and future leaders. The event provided a platform to recognize outstanding achievements in the industry, honor exceptional scholarship recipients, and motivate the next generation of women pursuing careers in transportation.Supporting the Next Generation
One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of scholarships to outstanding female students. These scholarships aim to reward academic excellence, encourage leadership, and inspire recipients to make meaningful contributions to the transportation sector. By investing in young talent, WTS Central Florida and the proud sponsors of the event are laying the foundation for a stronger, more diverse industry.Honoring Industry Excellence
The banquet also celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of individuals and organizations in the transportation community, presenting eight prestigious awards, including:- Member of the Year
- Employer of the Year: Recognizing organizations committed to advancing women in the workplace.
- Innovative Transportation Solutions: Celebrating groundbreaking projects led by women or teams of women.
- Citizen Transportation Advocate of the Year: Honoring those who champion transportation initiatives.
- Honorable Ray LaHood Award: Acknowledging men who have contributed to the advancement of women and minorities in transportation.
- Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award: Highlighting contributions to diversity and inclusion.
- Harold W. Barley Regional Partnership Award: Recognizing dedication to advancing regional transportation networks.
- Woman of the Year: Celebrating a woman who exemplifies leadership and advocacy for women and minorities in transportation.
A Powerful Keynote and WGI's Presence
The keynote speaker for this year’s banquet was Michelle Maikisch, Executive Director of the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), who delivered an inspiring address centered on safety, urging transportation professionals to Focus, Collaborate, and Innovate to create meaningful change. WGI was also well-represented at the banquet, with our own Kimberlee DeBosier, PE, Maria Bolivar, Cassidy Micaya, Alvin Santiago, and Miguel Ossorio, playing vital roles in the success of the event, and reflecting WGI’s unwavering support for initiatives that champion diversity and excellence. Transportation Division Lead, Kimberlee DeBosier, PE, highlighted Mechelle's keynote and the evening as a whole in stating:"Ms. Maikisch captivated the audience with a powerful message around safety and creating meaningful change. Under her leadership, CFX has embraced this approach, achieving groundbreaking first-in-the-nation initiatives that prioritize safety and enhance service for the traveling public. The night was a true testament to the impact of dedication, innovation, and community in shaping the future of transportation."