Eight Outstanding Women Honored For Contributions to the Transportation Construction Industry

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - From engineering executives leading mega projects, to graduate students developing the next generation of bridge-building standards, the recipients of this year's Women Leaders in Transportation Design & Construction Awards reflect the extraordinary contributions of women across the transportation industry.

Sponsored by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Foundation and the Women Leaders Council, the awards were announced today in four categories during the ARTBA National Convention in Kohler, Wis.:

The Ethel Birchland Lifetime Achievement Award
Named after an ARTBA executive from the mid-1920s, this award is given to individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, long-term service in the industry's public or private sectors, and dedication to the advancement of innovation and other women leaders.

Denise Casalino, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer - West Region, AECOM
Casalino's more than four-decade career spans infrastructure, urban development, and strategic business leadership. She combines engineering expertise, public-sector experience, and business acumen to deliver transformative projects and create opportunities for others. As a senior leader at AECOM, she provides strategic direction for about 7,500 employees across multiple markets. Before joining the company in 2005, she spent a decade with the City of Chicago, helping lead the landmark $200 million Wacker Drive Reconstruction Project, a nationally recognized model of urban transportation renewal. Casalino advances industry priorities through leadership roles within numerous professional organizations and is known as a strong advocate for innovation and sustainability. Her most impactful contribution is her commitment to mentoring women and emerging professionals, helping countless individuals build successful careers of their own.

Wendy Travis, southwest region transportation director, Garver
Travis built a three-decade career defined by sustained professional achievement, barrier-breaking leadership, and significant contributions to the transportation industry. As program manager for the Texas Department of Transportation's I-35 Corridor Program, she led the delivery of billions of dollars in transformative projects and helped advance the $23.5 billion Ports-to-Plains Corridor initiative to expand I-27. Travis has made significant contributions to industry and community organizations where she has secured transportation funding, shaped public policy, and strengthened the profession. Within her firm, she leads efforts to recruit, retain, and support the advancement of women through mentorship and networking and connects students with colleagues to promote careers in STEM.

The Glass Hammer Award
Given annually to a company in the transportation construction industry that has innovative programs and activities directed at successfully promoting women leaders within their organization. Extra credit is given to those firms that also promote women leadership within the associations and community organizations they financially support.

Lisa Hagins, CEO & Jessica Hummell, executive business manager, Arizona Transportation Builders Association (ATB)
ATB is guided by two exceptional leaders whose vision, advocacy, and service have strengthened the organization's influence across Arizona while advancing both infrastructure excellence and people. Lisa Hagins and Jessica Hummell have transformed ATB into a force for inclusion, collaboration, and community impact. Through nonprofit board service and strategic partnerships, they have helped shape workforce pipelines across Southern Arizona, creating opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and greater visibility for women. Under their leadership, ATB annually partners with other associations to host Construction Career Days, introducing more than 4,000 young people to careers in the industry and helping break barriers for the next generation of transportation and construction professionals.

The Excellence in Academia Award
This award is given annually to at least one woman in academia or a research institution who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, mentorship, and significant educational and/or research contributions in the transportation industry.  

Dr. Karen Philbrick, executive director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San José State University
Over the past decade, Dr. Philbrick has transformed MTI into a nationally recognized leader in transportation research and education, securing more than $44 million in competitive grants and contracts. Her work helps agencies and communities address real-world challenges while shaping national transportation policy. Philbrick holds numerous leadership positions within professional organizations and oversees two multi-university consortia, demonstrating her success in fostering high-level collaborative research. Dr. Philbrick also expanded MTI programs serving preschool children, K-12 students, and industry leaders, while raising more than $1 million in sponsorships to support students and strengthen the transportation workforce.

Dr. Claudia Zapata, associate professor, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University
Dr. Zapata's work has fundamentally transformed the way transportation engineers account for environmental and climatic effects in pavement and geotechnical design. Her work has produced design procedures and tools used daily by transportation agencies. Dr. Zapata has taught more than 2,100 students, developed innovative graduate courses, and mentored dozens of students who now serve in universities, transportation agencies, and private industry across the U.S. Through her involvement in multiple mentoring programs, Dr. Zapata has inspired countless young people, particularly women, Latino students, and other underrepresented groups, to pursue careers in engineering and transportation.

The Future Industry Leader Spotlight Award
Given annually to bring national industry attention to at least one women student enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at a U.S. college or university who have thus far achieved an outstanding academic record and demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills within and outside the academic environment. Candidates may be pursuing a degree in any discipline germane to the business of transportation design and construction.

Angel Lucian, graduate student, Civil Engineering South Carolina State University
Lucian's interest in transportation safety began when her cousin was struck and injured by a car while riding his bicycle at an uncontrolled intersection. Her graduate research focuses on the use of LiDAR, cameras, and radar to detect hidden hazards caused by limited sight distance and occlusion. Her goal is to develop transportation systems that protect vulnerable road users. She holds leadership positions within her campus chapter of the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) and is a recipient of the WTS HNTB Strategic Partner Scholarship. Luciana is passionate about helping other students discover similar leadership and financial aid opportunities.

Somayeh  Shojaeikhah, Ph.D. candidate, Oklahoma State University & Structural Engineering Intern, WSP USA
Shojaeikhah is pursuing a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering at Oklahoma State University. Her research focusses on developing new computational methods for improving the structural safety, reliability, and long-term performance of bridges. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals with national and international collaborators and has allowed her to make meaningful contributions to bridge-related assignments at her WSP internship. In addition to research, Shojaeikhah lends her time and expertise to fellow students as a teaching assistant, leading discussions and offering problem-solving guidance during office hours.

About the Foundation
The ARTBA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity, "promotes research, education and public awareness" about the impacts of transportation investment. The Foundation supports an array of initiatives, including educational scholarships, awards, professional development academies, roadway work zone safety and training programs, cutting-edge economic reports, and an exhibition on transportation at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

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