LOS ANGELES — In recognition of her visionary transportation leadership, WTS International honored Paula Hammond with its Mary Peters Inspirational Leader Award, one of the organization’s highest recognitions. Hammond is senior vice president, national multimodal market leader, WSP in the U.S.
The award was presented May 6 during the 2026 WTS International Annual Conference Gala in Los Angeles.
“Paula is widely respected across the transportation industry for her tireless leadership, policy insight and unwavering commitment to public service,” said Steve Smith, Transportation and Infrastructure business line executive, WSP in the U.S. “This recognition by WTS International is a fitting tribute to the influence she continues to have in shaping transportation infrastructure and mentoring the next generation of leaders.”
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| Paula Hammond, 2026 Mary Peters Inspirational Leader Award recipient. |
The Mary Peters Inspirational Leader Award recognizes transportation leaders whose careers reflect transformative leadership, service and a sustained commitment to advancing transportation and promoting women in the industry — values exemplified by former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, who was the first recipient of the award in 2019. WTS International selected Hammond in recognition of her expansive public- and private-sector leadership and her longstanding dedication to mentoring and advancing professionals across transportation.
Since joining WSP in 2013, Hammond has continued to shape national transportation dialogue through client advisory work, industry engagement and thought leadership. She joined WSP after a 34-year career with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), where she served as Secretary of Transportation from 2007 to 2013 and as chief of staff prior to that appointment. During her tenure, Hammond oversaw a multimodal system that included highways, ferries, rail, aviation and transit.
She is an active leader in multiple professional organizations, including service on the WTS International Board of Directors, where she served as chair from 2020-2022. She held leadership roles with the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), including ARTBA chair in 2022-2023; active leadership roles with the Transportation Research Board; and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), where she has led several national AASHTO committees.
Hammond also shares her expertise broadly as a contributing columnist for Informed Infrastructure, where she authors the recurring “Transportation Troubleshooting” column. Launched in 2022, the column draws on her career experience to explore policy, funding, resilience, innovation and operational challenges facing transportation agencies nationwide.
“WTS and WSP have long played important roles in supporting and connecting leaders across our industry,” Hammond said. “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to learn from generous mentors and work alongside extraordinary professionals who believe deeply in the impact transportation can have on communities. I am deeply humbled, grateful and look forward to continuing my work.”
About WSP in the U.S.
WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, uniting its engineering, advisory and science-based expertise to shape communities to advance humanity. From local beginnings to a globe-spanning presence today, WSP operates in more than 50 countries and employs approximately 83,000 professionals, known as Visioneers. WSP in the U.S.’s team of approximately 27,000 professionals pioneer solutions and deliver innovative projects across the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water, and mining and metals sectors.
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