Two rising stars from STV’s Philadelphia team were selected by the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Philadelphia chapter’s 2023-2024 Emerging Leaders program. Neekita Joshi and Taylor Novitsky are two of the 30 early career professionals joining this year’s program.
WTS Philadelphia’s Emerging Leaders Program was first established in 2019 and provides professional development and networking for women and gender-minority professionals starting out their careers in transportation. Each month, members meet to discuss relevant topics related to their personal and professional development. According to WTS Philadelphia, the chapter received a record number of applications for this year’s cohort.
Joshi and Novitsky have already attended two meetings with their cohort, where the two had a chance to learn more about the program and their fellow Emerging Leaders.
“WTS’s Emerging Leaders program brings together a diverse group of young professionals working in transportation,” Joshi said. “At our first meeting, we had a knowledge exchange with a diverse group of young engineers, planners, and architects.”
Novitsky was also excited about the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of the young women in this year’s cohort: “I am proud to be recognized as a member of Emerging Leaders for a number of reasons, but especially this one: my first Emerging Leaders meeting was the first time I have ever been in a group consisting of only women and minorities in a professional setting,” she said.
Joshi specializes in water resources and stormwater management, where she lends her expertise to STV projects such as the widening of Route 30 Gibbsboro Road and the Atlantic City Expressway Third Lane. A member of WTS, Joshi is also part of the Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT), the international organization that supports professional development and networking in transportation.
In addition to WTS Philadelphia, Novitsky is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and is chair of the Philadelphia chapter of YPT, where she oversees the chapter’s board and event planning. She is also on the planning committee for the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) 2025 National Conference and TransportationCamp PHL, where she recently planned the group’s “unconference” that centers discussion and idea exchange.
Michael Grantner, P.E., senior associate and senior project manager, shared his support for Joshi and Novitsky’s representation of STV in the program.
“Both Taylor and Neekita are integral parts of our civil group in Philadelphia and represent the transportation industry and what WTS is all about to the fullest by taking on more leadership responsibilities within our group,” Grantner said. “I fully endorse their inclusion into the WTS Emerging Leaders Program, and I am so honored to be a part of their professional journey and work alongside them.”
