Mobility Authority’s Dee Anne Heath Named Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Woman of the Year

(Austin, Texas) — The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority’s (Mobility Authority) Director of External Affairs, Dee Anne Heath, was named 2018 “Woman of the Year” by the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International, Heart of Texas Chapter. Heath was recognized by the WTS for being an outstanding role model and having contributed to the advancement of women and minorities in the transportation industry.

“Dee Anne is an invaluable asset to our organization, and to the wider transportation community,” said Mike Heiligenstein, Executive Director for the Mobility Authority. “She helps showcase the merits of women in leadership positions because she is invested in her career, in the future of our agency and in our industry as a whole. By engaging diverse stakeholder groups and collaborating across partner organizations, she creates meaningful partnerships that help our region view mobility through a new, solutions-oriented lens.”

WTS annually honors one woman who exemplifies the mission and values of furthering equality in the workplace for women, and advancing women in transportation across all disciplines. WTS recognized Dee Anne with this award based on her leadership and contributions, and her efforts to advance the reputation and credibility of women in transportation.

Under Dee Anne’s leadership, the Mobility Authority established MoveFWD, A Workforce Collaborative of Central Texas, in 2018, as a means to advance the unemployed, underemployed, women, and minorities, while filling critical employment gaps. The program helps disadvantaged people establish careers in the growing roadway construction and customer service industries, which provide job stability and benefits. The agency is collaborating closely with other local agencies and nonprofit organizations to identify and prepare candidates for skilled positions that our industry and the region desperately need to manage growth.

Dee Anne has 27 years of experience in strategic brand communications, with a broad range of agency experience from national comprehensive advertising campaigns to grassroots campaigns. She has taught digital media and integrated communications campaigns classes at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition, Dee Anne has served on the board of directors for the Alliance for Women in Media Austin Affiliate, and previously served as the vice president of communications on the Austin Advertising Federation’s board of directors.

In her current role as Director of External Affairs, Dee Anne leads a mostly female staff of communications experts and demands a seat at the table for women and the communications discipline. Working on the front line of some of the region’s most complex transportation projects, they effectively navigate the male-dominated transportation/engineering industry. Dee Anne understands that engaging diverse stakeholder perspectives and prioritizing inter-agency collaboration delivers the best outcomes. She fosters collaborative relationships with elected officials at all levels of local, regional and state government, and cultivates two-way communication with partner organizations. Through fostering a healthy team culture and a forward-thinking vision, she has helped to improve the quality of the Mobility Authority’s work as well as the innovative multimodal mobility solutions it delivers for Central Texas.

The mother of twin daughters, Dee Anne understands the importance of influencing and shaping future generations to promote equity and inclusivity for women. “I’ve always tried to lead by example in both my personal and professional life. My daughters are incredibly smart, engaging, and successful women. I’d like to think I’ve had a hand in that.” Dee Anne said.

“This award is such an honor and meaningful achievement in my career. I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing women and men throughout my career who have provided me with access to opportunities, mentoring, and guidance. I endeavor to provide that same support to the individuals I work with, in the hopes of continually creating an environment that fosters the growth and success of strong women.”

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About the Mobility Authority

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is a local, independent government agency created in 2002 to improve the regional transportation system in Travis and Williamson counties. The Mobility Authority implements innovative and sustainable transportation options to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in Central Texas. The Mobility Authority operates 183A Toll in Williamson County, 290 Toll and the 71 Toll Lane in east Austin, and the MoPac Express Lane in central Austin. The agency is also finishing construction of the 8-mile 183 South Project in east Austin, the 4-mile SH 45SW toll road between FM 1626 and MoPac, and the 290/130 Flyovers Project to connect SH 130 and 290 Toll. For more information about the Mobility Authority, visit www.MobilityAuthority.com.

About WTS International

WTS International was founded in 1977 by a group of pioneering women in transportation who realized that women’s careers would benefit from professional development, encouragement and recognition to support their advancement in transportation professions. Now, after more than 40 years of growth and development, WTS is an international organization with more than 6500 members (including women and men) and 79 chapters. Its mission is to advance both the transportation industry and the professional women who are a growing part of it. More information can be found at https://www.wtsinternational.org/.