Roundtable: The Role of Nonprofits in Advancing Gender Equity

Presenters

Karen Philbrick, Mineta Transportation Institute, San Jose State University, Moderator

April Rai, COMTO

Beverly Scott, Beverly Scott and Associates, LLC

Sarah Yurasko, League of Railway Women and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

Jannet Walker-Ford, WSP

Eboni Wimbush, Airport Minority Advisory Council

Key Takeaways

• Data transparency and equity: Collecting intersectional data is critical to understanding inequities in hiring, representation, and workforce retention. Transparency builds trust with communities and helps align DEI initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Authenticity in leadership: Panelists emphasized the importance of remaining true to personal values and fostering workplace cultures where authenticity is celebrated. Discussions also explored how leadership practices can promote equity in hiring and career advancement, creating inclusive spaces where employees feel empowered to bring their full selves to work.
• Addressing intersectional challenges: Women—particularly women of color and people from historically overburdened communities—often encounter compounded challenges, including microaggressions and caregiving responsibilities, which impact career trajectories. Strategies for retaining and supporting diverse talent include recognizing and addressing these barriers.
• Actionable DEI initiatives: Panelists emphasized that efective DEI efforts extend beyond statements of support and require specific, adaptable strategies that reflect evolving community needs. Discussions highlighted the role of metrics in tracking progress and refining initiatives based on internal and external feedback.

Summary

Moderated by Karen Philbrick of the Mineta Transportation Institute, this roundtable discussion brought together leaders from diverse sectors of the transportation industry to share their career journeys, insights on personal growth, and strategies for overcoming systemic barriers. The panelists—April Rai, Jannet Walker-Ford, Sarah

Yurasko, and Eboni Wimbush—engaged in a dialogue on resilience, authenticity, and advancing DEI.

Rai opened the discussion by sharing her story of how exposure, education, and supportive networks helped her succeed in a field historically dominated by White men. Reflecting on her early exposure to different projects involving transportation, Rai emphasized the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in creating pathways for young people from underrepresented backgrounds. Her journey underscored the significance of community support in navigating challenges such as implicit biases and the lack of representation.

Panelists highlighted resilience as a cornerstone of success, recounting their experiences of facing rejection and marginalization in the workplace. One panelist shared moments when they encountered overt discrimination, such as colleagues refusing to shake their hand, and how they transformed these challenges into opportunities for growth. Walker-Ford, for example, emphasized the value of perseverance, inspiring attendees to see adversity as a catalyst for personal and professional development. Yurasko focused on the importance of authenticity in leadership, recounting her decision to step down from a high-ranking position to prioritize their own health and family.

Panelists shared how remaining true to their values enhanced personal fulfillment throughout their professional journey and strengthened their ability to lead with empathy and impact. This discussion reinforced the message that authenticity is integral to effective leadership and creating inclusive workplace cultures. There was discussion about recent research findings that show how women’s personal experiences influence their workforce presence; for example, 17 percent of women experiencing menopause leave the workforce because they do not feel supported. Panelists mentioned that women need to find ways to stay in the game, but it is also okay to say no when needed. Here comes into play the critical role of nonprofit organizations in transportation, and how effective the nonprofit role is in creating the foundation of a comprehensive revision of traditional approaches in the industry.

Wimbush addressed the role of actionable DEI initiatives, emphasizing that organizations must move beyond performative gestures to achieve meaningful outcomes. Wimbush advocated for establishing measurable goals, tracking progress, and holding leaders accountable to embed equity into organizational practices. Drawing on her work, Wimbush highlighted the importance of recruiting and mentoring diverse talent to expand representation in leadership roles across the transportation sector.

The roundtable inspired attendees to recognize the vital role of nonprofits and membership associations in driving DEI forward and encouraged participants to actively engage in building a more equitable transportation workforce. The session concluded with a potential call to action for participants to champion equity and inclusivity within

their spheres of influence. Some panelists encouraged attendees to build inclusive networks, use their privilege to uplift others, and approach leadership with courage and empathy.