The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) honored the extraordinary accomplishments of women leaders in the transportation industry with a luncheon on April 5 at Los Angeles Union Station in downtown. About 100 members and guests attended the elegant outdoor affair on the North Patio under calm, blue skies.
The honorees included Christine Choi of the Nebraska-based design and engineering firm HDR; Tasha Higgins of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans); 2nd District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell; and Tunua Thrash Ntuk, president and CEO of The Center by Lendistry, who sits on the Long Beach City Council.
“This is our 10th year celebrating extraordinary women in transportation,” said Edna Stanley, COMTO SoCal Chapter president.
“Years ago, transportation and infrastructure were considered nontraditional roles for women, and now you see women everywhere at all levels and facets, including engineering, politics, and social advocacy.
“It’s imperative to support organizations like COMTO, Latinos In Transit, Korean American Engineers Association, and others that specifically focus on creating opportunities, like training and scholarships. Transportation is access to opportunity,” she said.
Omoné O. Livingston, president & CEO of O2EPCM consulting services, gave the keynote address.
“As African American women, there aren’t many of us in this industry,” she stated.
“But we’re in a position to give jobs, scholarships, internships, and mentorships to especially African Americans, including students interested in STEM, transportation, construction, and engineering. It’s our passion to ensure that the baton is passed to our folks to empower and inspire them to be engineers and architects like ourselves.”
Choi was born in the U.S. but immigrated to South Korea as a child, where being a woman and a leader was frowned upon.
“It wasn’t until I came back to the U.S. as an adult that I gained the freedom of speech and the opportunity to explore leadership as a woman,” she said.
“COMTO made that possible by opening up opportunities for me to positively impact this community. It means the world for me to receive this honor.”
Thrash Ntuk is a former executive director of the West Angeles Community Development Corporation, who advocated for small businesses to participate in the deployment and development of contracts with L.A. Metro before the launch of the Crenshaw-to-LAX line.
“I am so excited that an organization like this exists,” she declared.
“There are a lot of folks in transportation, but women and women of color often feel unseen. Today, we are leading the way to ensure that the transportation industry is cited equitably and that business opportunities are made available. I’m so excited to be honored alongside other women in transportation.”
Higgins, the Caltrans district liaison for the LA28 Summer Olympics, offered this advice to the next generation of women leaders:
“You’re enough. Be seen and be okay with that,” she affirmed.
“Often, women don’t think we’re prepared, so we over-prepare and think we need to know everything! Exhale and realize that you are enough just the way you are. Now, work hard and get it done.”
Jacquelyn Dupont Walker, CEO of Ward Economic Development Corporation, accepted the award on behalf of Holly Mitchell.
Hats Off! Celebrating Women in Transportation was catered by Traxx Restaurant and Bar, and DJ John T. Humphrey provided the ambient music.
The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials is the nation’s only multi-modal advocate for minority transportation industry businesses. The organization represents three million people who work in all modes of transportation in the U.S. and Canada, including trucking, taxi, and limousine services. COMTO partners with WSP, AECOM, Jacobs, and HDR.
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