Empowering Women in Smart Mobility: Stories of Resilience and Innovation

Welcome to the Iteris blog celebrating International Women's Day! Today, we're thrilled to present a collection of narratives from just a few of the women at Iteris who are driving innovation and shaping the landscape of smart mobility.

In a field historically dominated by men, these women have navigated challenges and blazed trails to carve out their paths in the transportation industry. From confronting gender biases, to balancing work and motherhood, to finding inspiration in female mentors, each woman’s writing reflects resilience, determination, and a commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity.

Tahnin Tariq

Born and raised in a patriarchal and developing country with a different native language, my journey to building a successful career in the United States has been a rollercoaster of challenges and triumphs. Navigating through gender biases and various obstacles has been a significant part of my journey. Along this journey, I learned to assert myself and articulate my ideas with clarity, ensuring that my voice is heard and respected. By connecting with professionals and mentors who share my vision and values, I've found encouragement and validation that have helped me stay motivated. Having strong technical skills and being up to date with recent technological advancements in the field have given me confidence and empowered me to tackle complex challenges and create innovative smart mobility solutions.

As I reflect on my journey, I would advise my younger self or other women starting their careers in the smart mobility industry to own their brilliance and not be afraid to speak up and share their ideas. In addition, I would recommend them to network and build relationships within the industry, as well as to seek out mentors who can light the way with their wisdom and support. Continuously learning and staying updated with the latest trends and technologies in the field is also crucial.

To promote greater gender diversity and inclusivity within the transportation/smart mobility industry, companies and organizations need to embrace policies that level the playing field like unbiased hiring practices, mentorship programs, and promoting women into leadership roles. Cultivating a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected is key. I envision a future where women are equally represented and play leadership roles in shaping the smart mobility industry. I'm determined to play my part in this future by continuing to innovate and lead in my field, guiding and uplifting other women in the industry, and advocating for policies and practices that promote gender diversity and inclusivity. Tahnin Tariq is a traffic operations engineer at Iteris. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Niloo Parvinashtiani

When I reflect on my younger self, one memory stands out vividly. Picture me, seated on the campus lawn, soaking up the sun on a nice November day while students rush by to get to their classes. Here I am, in my senior year of college, and my heart is set to pursue my recently found interest in transportation through a graduate degree. Inside, though, my mind is replaying over and over, a recent conversation with my professor that didn't go as planned.

That morning, I visited my professor to ask him for a recommendation letter for my grad school application. After doing well in his elective transportation course last semester, I was confident I'd easily get it. But his reaction was the opposite of what I expected. He went on a rant questioning my eligibility to get accepted to a grad school program. As I walked out of his office, his words really hit me hard. He basically said I had zero chance of getting in, especially with any school financial aid.

Seated on the lawn, I was thinking how I didn't see it coming. But then again, I kind of expected it. For four years, I worked hard as a female civil engineering student in a mostly male setting. It was common for me to be one of the few women in my classes that all male teachers taught. I felt sad that he, not unlike many of my other teachers, didn't believe in me, but I decided to be strong and persevere. And guess what? A few months later, I got some great news: I got accepted into a really good school for a master's program in transportation. Plus, they offered me financial aid.

My story isn't unique. Look around, and you'll hear many stories like mine from women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics who've been told they wouldn't make it. But they did make it at the end (or let's hope that they did)—with determination and the support of those who believed in them. Niloo Parvinashtiani is a mobility consulting solutions engineer at Iteris. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Christine Brady

I’ve had many mentors over the years but one stands head and shoulders over the rest. Roberta Perry! I met Roberta through Toastmasters International, when I was just starting out in District Leadership. Roberta has always delivered an important message - say YES to all growth opportunities. You never know where those opportunities will take you in life. Roberta has impressive credentials. She has served as Vice President of several organizations, including ETI, Fresh Juice Global, 20th Century Fox, iWERKS Entertainment, Stuart Anderson’s Restaurants, and President of Themed Entertainment Organization. She also served on the Board of Directors for Toastmasters International. If anyone knows where opportunity can lead, it is Roberta. Following her lead, I’ve taken many leaps of faith in both my career and volunteer life. I left a comfortable job to take on the challenge of starting a contracts department at a small graphics design firm. When that job and my volunteer opportunities were at odds with each other, I took a leap of faith and started at Iteris. My position at Iteris has afforded me the balance I needed in life to develop my career while pursuing and developing my District leadership roles with Toastmasters International. Saying yes to each new opportunity gave me the courage to keep saying yes! Each opportunity has led to bigger and better things and I’m forever grateful to stand on the shoulders of someone as accomplished as Roberta.

Roberta has helped me be a more proactive (not reactive) communicator; to embrace change; and to not be afraid to speak out and stand up for what is right. I have also learned how to let go of the things that don’t matter. I almost always say yes to opportunities, especially opportunities that feel just out of reach of my skill set.

When I first met Roberta, I never ever dreamed that I would serve in the highest levels of District leadership. She believed in me when I didn’t and encouraged me to keep going. With her guidance, I not only served in the highest levels of Toastmasters District leadership, but I have surprised even myself by serving as Region Advisor, supporting District leaders all over southern California. I have several leaders that count Roberta as their mentor and I know that we are delivering the same leadership message. Christine Brady (right, pictured with her mentor Roberta) is contracts manager Iteris. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Tiffany Symes

My career has two epochs- pre-kid and post-kid. I vividly remember my first day back to work after my oldest was born. The excitement of catching up with colleagues, the avalanche of emails, trying to balance meetings with the pumping schedule, and loud voices of self-doubt. How do people do this? Can everyone tell I am running on no sleep? Will l ever be good at this job again? Over time the voices faded, then came back even louder after baby #2, and now fortunately just a few years later they are gone (except the no sleep one, but only sometimes!).

Some things that have helped me adapt to working motherhood:

• Maternity leave. California is an outlier in its parental leave policies. I hope someday all new mothers in the US get adequate paid time off to heal, bond, and adjust.
• Paternity leave. My husband took full advantage of his company's generous paid paternity leave policy. This fostered a more equal parenting partnership that continues to pay dividends. We need to keep destigmatizing paternity leave.
• Flexibility. Iteris has been great about this. I'm judged on the quality and outcomes of my work.
• Colleagues who set a good model. I've mostly worked for and with men, but they've been very transparent about working around the soccer games and the school pickups and the kids' dentist appointments. That makes me feel more like one of the many 'working parents' in technology, not the rarer 'working mom'.
• Great childcare. The costs and scarcity of quality childcare are shocking. I know many women who have had to delay their return to work or try to work with an infant on their lap as they wait for a daycare opening. This is a systemic problem accelerated by the pandemic, and it threatens the gains women have made in the workplace.
• Tuning out "mom guilt". I'm a better mom on evenings and weekends because I work. Two incomes are a necessity for many families. I still know I'm the most important person in their lives.

Here's to all the working moms out there on International Women's Day—may we thrive and continue to pave the way for the women who come after us. Tiffany Symes is senior director of product management at Iteris. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Kristel Bassett

I've found the following three elements to be instrumental in breaking barriers within a traditionally male-dominated industry: growing a professional network, a curiosity for continuous education, and a supportive environment.

Active participation in organizations such as WTS and ITE has been transformative. Through these affiliations, I've forged connections with mentors and peers who share similar challenges and aspirations. The networks provide moral support and invaluable opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and advancement that would have been elusive as an individual. These organizations are great for any stage of one's career. As a senior engineer, I can make meaningful connections with industry peers while demystifying transportation careers for students and young professionals, with the hope that the landscape of this evolving field changes to be more diverse and inclusive.

Secondly, a curiosity to learn more through certifications, webinars, and conferences has expanded my expertise and skills. Staying at the forefront of trends and technologies has boosted my confidence and positioned me as a competent and competitive professional in this evolving field.

Maybe most critically, a supportive manager and employer who embody values of diversity, growth, and inclusivity guides me through a career path that I am proud of and can grow in. Since joining Iteris at the close of 2021, I have been actively encouraged to take on challenging projects and leadership roles. This empowerment has enabled me to contribute meaningfully to reshaping the face of engineering, solidifying the belief that a supportive environment is not just beneficial but imperative for driving real change within our industry. Kristel Bassett is a senior engineer at Iteris. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Monique Fuhrman

As a woman in a male-dominated field, I’m no stranger to being the lone or one of few women in the room. I’ve always taken that as a call to action to invite more women to join me. I think as women, it’s our duty to the next generation to inspire, invite, and bring along the next generation into our STEM world. To me this means telling girls about what I do and telling them they can do it too, and probably even better than I do! It’s so important that we show the engineers, thinkers, educators, leaders of tomorrow that women are already here and are instrumental to success, and that they belong here. Planting these seeds now will yield amazing “trees” in the future. Monique Fuhrman is a senior manager at Iteris. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

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As we celebrate the achievements of women in smart mobility, we recognize that their contributions are integral to driving innovation, fostering diversity, and shaping the future of transportation. As a woman in the smart mobility industry myself, I am not unfamiliar with the challenges of building a career in a male-dominated field. The strength and determination that has propelled my colleagues forward is inspiring, and something I hope to emulate in my own life.

We hope these stories inspire you, too, to reflect on the importance of inclusivity, mentorship, and empowerment in creating a more equitable and diverse workforce. Together, let's continue to champion the voices and experiences of women in every field. Happy International Women's Day!