What WTS International does

WTS International (legally Women's Transportation Seminar International) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1977 and headquartered at 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC. Its stated mission is to attract, sustain, connect, and advance women's careers to strengthen the transportation industry. The organization serves individual transportation professionals across modes and sectors — engineers, planners, executives, consultants, students, and government officials — through a network of 73 local and regional chapters across the United States and Canada, with more than 9,000 members on the Association Anywhere AMS and over 10,000 technology-system users supported by a small (~11 person) central staff plus outsourced controller and account-executive services (DNE & Associates; Big Red M).

WTS monetizes primarily through three recurring streams: tiered annual membership dues across Professional, Executive, Student, and Lifetime levels (priced by sector — Public Sector, Small Business/DBE, Private Sector); a multi-tier corporate partnership program (Pinnacle, Strategic, Trailblazer, Champion, Advocate, Pillar, Public Sector Friend, Public Sector Supporter, Agency) generating B2B sponsorship revenue; and event registration fees for the Annual Conference, Signature Leadership Training (Mid-Career and Executive tracks at $2,325-$4,850), Capital Summit, workshops, and webinars. The WTS Foundation, established in 2009 as a wholly-aligned 501(c)(3), administers more than $800,000 in annual scholarships and youth programming (Transportation YOU) and channels charitable donations from individual and corporate donors.

The underlying technology is conventional for a mid-sized professional association: the MyWTS member portal (built on Association Anywhere AMS), the Higher Logic Communities digital community platform, Informz for email, and a SmugMug media archive — none proprietary or AI-native. Distribution is overwhelmingly direct and grassroots: the 73 chapters function as a volunteer-driven sales and engagement channel; industry partnerships with AASHTO, APTA, ARTBA, COMTO, ITS America, Latinos In Transit, and TRB Academies reinforce advocacy and content distribution; and an outbound partnerships team sells national-level corporate packages. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors drawn principally from transportation engineering firms and public agencies, and is led operationally by a permanent CEO appointed in August 2025.

Name

WTS International

Legal name

Women's Transportation Seminar International

Website

https://wtsinternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WTS International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1977 that advances women in transportation through a 73-chapter network across the US and Canada serving more than 9,000 professionals via membership, leadership training, annual conferences, scholarships, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnership Programs: WTS International generates revenue through tiered corporate partnership programs (Pinnacle, Strategic, Trailblazer, Champion, Advocate, Pillar, Public Sector Friend, Public Sector Supporter, Agency Partner) at national and chapter levels. Sponsorship fees support access to the WTS professional network, recruitment exposure, and brand visibility.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues at multiple price points: Student (complimentary), Professional (Emerging Leader, Public Sector, Small Business/DBE, Private Sector), Executive (Public Sector, Small Business/DBE, Private Sector), and Lifetime. Dues billed annually starting on the first day of the joining month.
3. Events and Conferences: Revenue from event registrations for the Annual Conference, Signature Leadership Training, workshops, webinars, and other professional development programs. Registration fees vary by membership status and program track.
4. Donations to WTS Foundation: The WTS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, receives charitable donations to support scholarships and educational programming for students pursuing transportation careers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels15 records

Core offering

WTS International operates a professional membership organization dedicated to advancing women in the transportation industry. It delivers tiered individual memberships, leadership training programs (Signature Leadership Training), an annual conference, workshops and webinars, a career center, scholarships through the WTS Foundation, and the Transportation YOU youth outreach program, distributed through a network of 73 chapters across the United States and Canada.

Product overview

WTS International is a professional membership organization (not a software product) dedicated to advancing women in transportation. The organization operates a unified membership platform offering multiple interconnected programs and services: core membership with access to the 73-chapter network, professional development through Signature Leadership Training (Executive Leader Program and Mid-Career Leadership Program tracks), annual conferences, workshops and webinars, the WTS Career Center job board, WTS SmartBrief newsletter, and MyWTS member portal. The WTS Foundation provides over $800,000 annually in scholarships through programs like Transportation YOU and the Capital Summit. These products work together to attract, sustain, connect, and advance women's careers in transportation through networking, education, advocacy, and mentorship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Transportation YOU: Youth outreach program developing the next generation of diverse transportation professionals through exposure, training, and programming for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
• Signature Leadership Training
• WTS Capital Summit

Products and services

• WTS International Membership Tiered professional membership network connecting over 9,000 transportation professionals across 73 chapters in the United States and Canada, offering networking, professional development, leadership training access, career resources, and chapter-level engagement. Membership levels include Student (complimentary), Professional (Emerging Leader, Public Sector, Small Business/DBE, Private Sector), Executive (Public Sector, Small Business/DBE, Private Sector), and Lifetime tiers.
• WTS International Signature Leadership Training

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 9,000 members connected through WTS's professional network across 73 chapters in the US and Canada
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

50 partnerships are on record, tiered pinnacle, strategic, trailblazer, champion, advocate, pillar, public sector friend, public sector supporter, agency, core and minor.

• HDRpinnacleGTM or Marketing PartnerHDR is a Pinnacle Corporate Partner of WTS International. HDR's Erin Slayton serves as Chair of the WTS International Board (2026-2028). HDR received the 2026 Employer of the Year Award. HDR also provides Strategic Partner Scholarships for students in transportation.
• HNTBpinnacleGTM or Marketing PartnerHNTB is a Pinnacle Corporate Partner of WTS International. Alexa Gangemi, VP and Senior Project Manager at HNTB, serves as Vice Chair of the WTS International Board (2026-2028). HNTB provides HNTB Strategic Partner Scholarships for students.
• AECOMpinnacleGTM or Marketing PartnerAECOM is a Pinnacle Corporate Partner of WTS International. Alanna Strohecker, Global Director of Surface Transportation and Goods Movement at AECOM, serves as Director on the WTS International Board. AECOM provides Strategic Partner Scholarships.
• JacobsstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerJacobs is a Strategic Corporate Partner of WTS International. Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Senior Program Manager at Jacobs, serves as Treasurer of the WTS International Board. Jennifer Bassett-Hales, VP and Highways & Bridges Market Director at Jacobs, also serves on the Board. Jacobs provides Strategic Partner Scholarships.
• WSPstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerWSP is a Strategic Corporate Partner of WTS International. Paula Hammond, WTS International Board Chair 2020-2022 and National Transportation Market Leader at WSP, received the 2026 Mary Peters Inspirational Leader Award. WSP provides Strategic Partner Scholarships.
• ArcadistrailblazerGTM or Marketing PartnerArcadis is a Trailblazer Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• ARUPchampionGTM or Marketing PartnerARUP is a Champion Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• AtkinsRéalischampionGTM or Marketing PartnerAtkinsRéalis is a Champion Corporate Partner of WTS International. Liz Smith serves as National Local Roads Growth Lead at AtkinsRéalis and serves on the WTS International Board.
• Mott MacDonaldchampionGTM or Marketing PartnerMott MacDonald is a Champion Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• RS&HchampionGTM or Marketing PartnerRS&H is a Champion Corporate Partner of WTS International. Daveitta Knight, Chair of the Scholarship Selection & Scholar Engagement Committee, is associated with RS&H.
• STVchampionGTM or Marketing PartnerSTV is a Champion Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• VontaschampionGTM or Marketing PartnerVontas is a Champion Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• CDM SmithadvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerCDM Smith is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• DeloitteadvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerDeloitte is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• Delve UndergroundadvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerDelve Underground is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• DewberryadvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerDewberry is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• GPIadvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerGPI is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• HILL InternationaladvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerHILL International is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• KleinfelderadvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerKleinfelder is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• Michael Baker InternationaladvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerMichael Baker International is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• SiemensadvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerSiemens is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• TerraconadvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerTerracon is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• TransdevadvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerTransdev is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• VHBadvocateGTM or Marketing PartnerVHB is an Advocate Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• Assedo ConsultingpillarGTM or Marketing PartnerAssedo Consulting is a Pillar Corporate Partner of WTS International. Odessa Phillip of Assedo Consulting co-chairs the DBE/Small Business Subcommittee.
• Lumenor Consulting GrouppillarGTM or Marketing PartnerLumenor Consulting Group is a Pillar Corporate Partner of WTS International. Bridgette Beato is Founder and CEO of Lumenor Consulting Group and serves as Immediate Past Chair of the WTS International Board (2026-2028). Bridgette co-chairs the DBE/Small Business Subcommittee.
• Sener Ses CanadapillarGTM or Marketing PartnerSener Ses Canada is a Pillar Corporate Partner of WTS International.
• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)public sector friendGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago Transit Authority is a Public Sector Friend Partner of WTS International.
• Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT)public sector friendGTM or Marketing PartnerCTDOT is a Public Sector Friend Partner of WTS International.
• Hawaii Department of Transportationpublic sector friendGTM or Marketing PartnerHawaii Department of Transportation is a Public Sector Friend Partner of WTS International.
• Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)public sector friendGTM or Marketing PartnerMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is a Public Sector Friend Partner of WTS International.
• Maine Department of Transportationpublic sector supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerMaine Department of Transportation is a Public Sector Supporter Partner of WTS International.
• Maine Turnpikepublic sector supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerMaine Turnpike is a Public Sector Supporter Partner of WTS International.
• Michigan Department of Transportationpublic sector supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerMichigan Department of Transportation is a Public Sector Supporter Partner of WTS International.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International AirportagencyGTM or Marketing PartnerHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is an Agency Partner of WTS International.
• Iowa Department of TransportationagencyGTM or Marketing PartnerIowa Department of Transportation is an Agency Partner of WTS International.
• MassportagencyGTM or Marketing PartnerMassport is an Agency Partner of WTS International.
• Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA)agencyGTM or Marketing PartnerMinnesota Valley Transit Authority is an Agency Partner of WTS International.
• Port of OaklandagencyGTM or Marketing PartnerPort of Oakland is an Agency Partner of WTS International.
• Translink CanadaagencyGTM or Marketing PartnerTranslink Canada is an Agency Partner of WTS International.
• American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAASHTO is an Industry Partner of WTS International, representing state transportation departments across the US and facilitating collaboration on transportation policy and workforce development.
• American Public Transportation Association (APTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPTA is an Industry Partner of WTS International, representing public transportation agencies and supporting professional development and advocacy for the public transit industry.
• American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARTBA is an Industry Partner of WTS International, representing the transportation construction industry and advocating for infrastructure investment and policy.
• Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOMTO is an Industry Partner of WTS International, dedicated to ensuring minority participation and leadership in transportation. COMTO and WTS co-recognize outstanding leaders (e.g., Janice Thomas received COMTO's Women Who Move the Nation Award).
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITS America is an Industry Partner of WTS International, focused on advancing intelligent transportation technologies and policy.
• Latinos In TransitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatinos In Transit is an Industry Partner of WTS International, supporting diversity and inclusion in transportation with a focus on Latino professionals and communities.
• Transportation Research Board (TRB) AcademiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRB Academies is an Industry Partner of WTS International. WTS holds its Chair's Reception at the TRB Annual Meeting and provides webinars on engaging with TRB. TRB publishes 200+ reports annually, engages 8,500+ volunteers, and hosts 13,000+ attendees at its Annual Meeting.
• Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWTS International established a new research partnership with MTI in 2024 titled 'Gender Diversity in the Transportation Workforce — Challenges and Strategies for Inclusion,' updating the 2019 MTI research report with post-pandemic workforce data.
• Big Red MminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBig Red M is an external partner providing account executive services for WTS International, focusing on member engagement, recruitment, retention, sponsorship, and exhibit sales support.
• Transportation Research Board (TRB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWTS hosts the annual Chair's Reception during the TRB Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. WTS provides webinars on engaging with TRB to help members participate in TRB committees, contracts, and research activities. TRB engages 8,500+ volunteers and hosts 13,000+ attendees annually.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO): COMTO is the closest direct peer — a transportation industry association focused on ensuring minority participation and leadership. It co-honors WTS award recipients (e.g., Janice Thomas) and is a formal WTS Industry Partner. Both serve overlapping transportation professionals with parallel DEI mandates.
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE): SWE is the most direct functional analog: a 70+ year-old professional association dedicated to advancing women in engineering. It uses the same playbook of chapters, conferences, scholarships, corporate partnerships, and leadership training that WTS runs, just at a broader engineering scale (40,000+ members).
• Women in Aviation International: Women in Aviation International is a directly comparable women-in-transportation-mode association with chapters, scholarships, annual conferences, corporate partnerships, and youth outreach — almost the same operating model as WTS but for aviation.

Emerging players

• Latinos In Transit: Latinos In Transit is a fast-growing industry partner of WTS that applies the same DEI-in-transportation model with a Latino professional focus. It is a meaningful overlap in target audience and chapter-based operating model but at an earlier stage than WTS.
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE): NSBE is a closely analogous mission-driven STEM association with a chapter model, scholarship program, and corporate partnerships targeted at underrepresented engineers. WTS staff have direct NSBE experience (e.g., Manager Membership Lashonda Winston), and the organizations share a common member pipeline.

Broad incumbents

• American Public Transportation Association (APTA): APTA is a WTS Industry Partner and the dominant broad public-transit industry association. It overlaps with WTS on workforce development and DEI programming but serves the entire public-transit industry rather than women specifically.
• American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO): AASHTO is a WTS Industry Partner representing state DOTs. It is a much larger, broader incumbent focused on transportation policy and standards, but its workforce-development mission and government agency membership overlap with WTS's public-sector segment.
• American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA): ARTBA is a WTS Industry Partner and the broad trade association for the transportation construction industry. It is significantly larger than WTS and not women-focused, but its advocacy and infrastructure-investment mission makes it a comparable industry convener.
• Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America): ITS America is a WTS Industry Partner and the broad industry association for intelligent transportation systems. It overlaps with WTS on transportation workforce and policy advocacy, but with a technology focus rather than a women-in-industry focus.
• American Planning Association (APA): APA is a large professional planning association whose AICP CM credits WTS actively leverages in its Signature Leadership Training. It is a much broader incumbent serving planners (a key WTS member segment) and demonstrates a comparable chapter-, conference-, and CM-credit-driven business model at significantly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wts_org
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=1cSugPbJATc
• Facebookfacebook.com/WomensTransportationSeminar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women's-transportation-seminar
• Instagraminstagram.com/WTSInternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WTS International