Urban is pleased to announce that Kirsten Brown was given the inaugural Presidential Emerging Leader Award at the annual WTS Philadelphia Awards Gala at the Bellevue Hotel. This new award recognizes the contributions of a board member with less than five years of experience in the transportation industry who is making an impact.

“WTS prides itself on developing great leaders, and until now, we have never formally recognized the burgeoning transformation that someone just starting out in their career experiences because they said yes to WTS,” said Patti Gibson May, president of WTS Philadelphia. “Kirsten has proven she is able to demonstrate positive results within her area of responsibility – in terms of impact, effect, effort – and we could not be more thrilled to give her the Presidential Emerging Leader Award.”

Ms. Brown had dreamed of becoming an engineer and attending Drexel University since age five. She grew up to earn a dual undergraduate degree in civil engineering and architectural engineering from Drexel, which gives her a diverse background to bring to projects. A member of Urban’s aviation department, Ms. Brown is experienced in both design and construction on airfield, facility, site development, and structural projects. She collaborates with a variety of design subconsultants and airport staff on a daily basis. She has designed projects utilizing FAA, local, and military standards. Her other airport experience includes a diverse mix between design, management and construction oversight for airports such as Trenton-Mercer, College Park, and Niagara Falls International Airport Air Reserve Station.

WTS Philadelphia, a local chapter of WTS International, is a group focused on promoting the development and advancement of women in the transportation industry in the Delaware Valley region since 1979. The organization hosts an awards event annually recognizing people, projects, and organizations who align with the WTS mission.