NEWS RELEASE: California High-Speed Rail Authority Recognized as Employer of Year by Organization Advancing Women in Transportation

November 17, 2022

LOS ANGELES – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has been named the 2022 Employer of the Year by the Women’s Transportation Seminar – Los Angeles chapter (WTS-LA). The annual award recognizes the Authority for its commitment to excellence, record of diversity in hiring and promotion, support of continuing education and professional development for employees.

L to R: WTS Los Angeles Chapter President Jenelle Saunders, Southern California Regional Director LaDonna DiCamillo, and WTS Los Angeles Chapter Vice President Heather Anderson. Director DiCamillo accepts the Employer of the Year award.

“The Authority provides exceptional opportunities for women in the transportation field and empowers women to take a lead role in shaping the nation’s high-speed rail industry,” said Southern California Regional Director LaDonna DiCamillo, who accepted the award on behalf of the Authority at WTS-LA’s Scholarship & Awards Dinner on Wednesday night. “It is an honor to be recognized by WTS-LA for the strides the Authority is making in developing and cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce, to deliver an environmentally sustainable, fast and safe transportation network for all Californians.”

More than half of the Authority’s total workforce is female – as well as most of the executive team, many appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Major initiatives and programs led by women at the Authority include strategic delivery; legal counsel; strategic communications; legislative affairs; information technology; planning and sustainability; administration and human resources; diversity, equity and inclusion; and regional leadership.

“WTS-LA is honoring the California High-Speed Rail Authority with the Employer of the Year Award 2022 for advancing women in transportation, which is key to advancing transportation and ensuring a diverse, inclusive and equitable workforce. WTS is committed to ethical leadership, integrity and respect for all as we shape future generations of transportation leaders,” said WTS-LA President Jenelle Saunders.

WTS International, an 8,000-strong organization with chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada, is dedicated to shaping the future of transportation for the public good through global advancement of women in transportation.

WTS-LA supports hundreds of professionals—both women and men—throughout the Los Angeles region. Local members and supporters range from public transportation agency general managers and executive directors to Fortune 500 CEOs, university faculty and students, to legislators and journalists in every transportation mode and discipline.

This is the second time the Authority has been named Employer of the Year by a WTS chapter, after WTS Sacramento recognized the Authority with the same honor in January.

California’s high-speed rail project is currently under construction on more than 119 miles with more than 30 active construction sites in California’s Central Valley. To date, more than 9,000 construction jobs have been created on the project. visit: www.buildhsr.com.

The following link contains recent video, animations, photography, press center resources and latest renderings: https://hsra.app.box.com/s/vyvjv9hckwl1dk603ju15u07fdfir2q8

These files are all available for free use, courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.