WTS International Appoints Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins as Chief Executive Officer

National transportation leader and longtime WTS International member brings decades of strategic public service experience to the organization’s top role

Washington, D.C. —WTS International, the premier organization dedicated to advancing women in transportation, proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins as its next Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of WTS International and the WTS Foundation, effective August 18, 2025. 

Dr. Wilkins brings more than 25 years of leadership in nonprofit management, public policy, and strategic marketing and communications. She joins WTS International from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), where she served for over eight years, most recently as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief External Affairs Officer. In this role, she oversaw enterprise strategy development, government affairs, marketing and communications, creative and digital media, and corporate engagement for the 11-county metro Atlanta region. 

Her distinguished career also includes leadership roles at the Georgia Department of Human Services, the State Road and Tollway Authority—where she helped launch the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank—and in the nonprofit sector, where she spent more than 13 years at the Southern States Police Benevolent Association. 

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Wilkins brings a deep and personal connection to WTS International, shaped by years of dedicated service and leadership within the organization. She served as President of WTS Atlanta, where she led the chapter to receive the first WTS International Chapter of the Year Award and the Gold Circle of Excellence Award, increased sponsorship revenue by 50%, and initiated impactful partnerships with organizations like Dress for Success and Habitat for Humanity. After many years of chapter service, she joined the WTS International Board of Directors in 2024.  

Her academic background reflects the same dedication to public service and leadership that has shaped her career. Dr. Wilkins holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from The University of Georgia, a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University, and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University.  

“It is an honor to lead WTS International at this transformative moment in the organization’s history,” said Dr. Wilkins. “WTS has long served as a catalyst for women’s advancement in transportation. I am excited to build on this momentum, elevate new voices, and deepen our collective impact across communities and generations.” 

Her appointment comes at a time of significant momentum for WTS. In May 2025, the organization hosted its first international conference in Toronto, Canada—welcoming more than 1,200 transportation professionals from across North America, the largest attendance in WTS history. As CEO, Dr. Wilkins will lead efforts to expand WTS’s global reach, strengthen its chapter network, grow scholarship and professional development opportunities, and foster a more inclusive and innovative transportation workforce. 

Bridgette Beato, Chair of the WTS International Board of Directors and Founder and CEO of Lumenor Consulting Group, added: “Dr. Wilkins is a leader with the strategic insight that will help us strengthen relationships with our partners, support our chapters, and engage more deeply with our members to foster an organizational culture that reflects our values and mission.” 

About WTS International 
Established in 1977, WTS International is dedicated to creating an inclusive transportation industry through the global advancement of women. Through a network of members, chapters, and strategic partners, WTS attracts, sustains, connects, and advances women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry. Learn more at wtsinternational.org.