Dewberry named Employer of the Year by WTS Greater New York Chapter

Fairfax, Va. — Dewberry was named Employer of the Year for 2017 by the Women’s Transportation Seminar Greater New York Chapter (WTS-GNY). The award is given to a firm “that has enhanced the transportation industry through its support of WTS, its commitment to excellence and quality in its services or products, demonstration of an outstanding record of affirmative action in hiring and promotions, and provides internships to women students and supports continuing education of its employees,” according to WTS-GNY.

Founded in 1977, WTS is an international organization dedicated to the professional advancement of women in transportation.

Sixteen Dewberry employees are WTS members, representing six different chapters in various geographical regions. Dewberry employees have served in a variety of leadership capacities with WTS. Ileana Ivanciu, PhD, a senior vice president in the firm’s Parsippany office, accepted the award on behalf of Dewberry. Ivanciu was involved in founding the New Jersey program of WTS-GNY.

Dewberry has a strong record of hiring women in key transportation roles. In 2017, the firm added Geraldine Knatz, PhD, to its board of directors. Knatz was executive director of the Port of Los Angeles and serves on the executive committee of the Transportation Research Board. Rachel Vandenberg, PE, a past chapter president of WTS, was recently appointed as the firm’s national director of ports.

In addition, Dewberry has recently promoted or placed women in several high-level positions: Cynthia Chen, CPA, was appointed chief financial officer; Elese Roger, PMP, was appointed executive director of IT and technology; Karolyn Gardner was promoted to executive director of contracts; Ileana Ivanciu, PhD, was promoted to senior vice president, branch manager, and northeast director of environmental services; and Katherine Dewkett, PE, was promoted to senior associate and transportation group department manager in the firm’s New York City office.

Currently, there are nine women in executive leadership positions at Dewberry, and two out of 12 board members are women. Women comprise 21 percent of professionals at the associate level and higher at the firm. Dewberry was also selected on the basis of its values of inclusion and championing of women.