For Immediate Release
January 27, 2023

COMTO to Honor 10 Remarkable Women Making Outstanding Contributions to America's Transportation Industry During Annual Women's History Month Event Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation

Alexandria, VA—The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) will honor 10 women making outstanding contributions to the transportation industry across modes, who carve a path forward for the next generation and shatter glass ceilings. The 12th Annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation Awards Breakfast will take place on March 15, 2023, from 8:00 am–10:30 am at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. In-person, virtual tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available for purchase at www.comto.org/cwwmn.

In observance of Women's History Month, COMTO has honored 132 women with awards honoring them as Women Who Move the Nation. The honorees represent professionals across modes, sectors and disciplines in transportation. These trailblazers embody all that COMTO stands for, a representation of leadership in transportation reflecting the complex mosaic of those served.

2023 COMTO WOMEN WHO MOVE THE NATION HONOREES

• Henrika Buchanan, National Practice Consultant & Vice President, HNTB
• Veronica Castro de Barrera, Chair, Board of Directors, Austin Transit Partnership
• Inez Evans, President & CEO, IndyGo
• Cynthia Guidry, Director, Long Beach Airport
• Captain Zeita Merchant, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
• Raquel Olivier, CPA, MBA President/CEO, Olivier, Inc, Link Transportation Corporation
• Joanna Pinkerton, President & CEO, Central Ohio Transit Authority
• Lynda Tran, Director of Public Engagement & Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Transportation
• Denise Turner Roth, Advisory National Business Line Executive, WSP, USA
• Veronica Vanterpool, Deputy Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

"It is our privilege to honor, elevate and celebrate these outstanding women working to advance the transportation industry. The work of these honorees positively impact the lives of millions, and move the mission of COMTO forward," said April Rai, President & CEO, COMTO.

“Each year we beam with pride at the selection of honorees, their amazing leadership and dedication to equity,” said Tanya Adams, Chair, Board of Directors, COMTO and Sr. Vice President, Inclusion and Diversity, WSP USA. “Not only are they powerful in their professional accomplishments, but more importantly, in their willingness to give back, and inspire the next generation of our transportation workforce.”

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About the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials
The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), founded in 1971, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing underrepresented groups in the transportation industry. With 37 chapters across North America, COMTO's mission is to ensure opportunities and participation in transportation for minorities, veterans, persons with disabilities and certified minority, women or disadvantaged-owned businesses through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, advocacy, partnership building and networking opportunities. For more information, please visit www.comto.org.

Contact:
Nadji Kirby
Chief of Staff
[email protected]
(202) 998-3352