Eighteen ambitious women from TxDOT took off to Virginia not just for a jaunt but to sharpen their leadership skills at the prestigious Women’s Transportation Seminar’s (WTS International) Signature Leadership Conference and Training. This event pulled together key players from across the transportation spectrum, ranging from state department honchos to urban design mavens.

A noteworthy attendee, Katie Martin, TxDOT's director of transportation planning and development for the Atlanta District, shared her awe with TxDOT, "It was surreal to meet leaders from similar organizations nationwide and realize that they are facing some of the same challenges as we are." It seems the collective struggle was a unifying theme, laying bare the shared hurdles of women in transport.

The conference's curriculum wasn't for the faint-hearted; it was a full-scale boot camp designed to buff up the attendees' leadership muscles. From inspiring teams to boosting organizational effectiveness, these women were put through their paces to eventually raise the transport industry's game.

Diving into a strength-finder assessment, the TxDOT women got up close and personal with their inner arsenals, digging out the tools they didn't know they had. Patti Warnasch, tucked away in TxDOT's rail division, came back with more than just a goody bag. She told TxDOT, "I learned new effective management methods and skills, learned how to assess risk," amassing an inventory of professional upgrades.

At the heart of the conference, as outlined by WTS leaders, was the strong message of empowering women and equipping them with the very gadgets and wisdom they need to soar to their full potential. Stacy James, a design supervisor at TxDOT, soaked in the wisdom dispensed, "One key takeaway for me was that you need to know yourself, be your true self, and advocate for yourself to advance your career." She emphasized the leader’s role in supporting others, a true testament to the spirit of mentorship and advocacy that's reshaping the workplace.

For those looking to join TxDOT's leagues and ride the wave of personal growth, the department doesn’t skimp on training opportunities. Peep into their career-boosting perks over at their website if you fancy a gander at what's brewing for TxDOT employees in terms of development and leadership opportunities.