GHD professionals to drive ITE impact from international councils to local chapters
Two of GHD’s transportation professionals, Vanessa Skelton and Emily Anderson, have been appointed to leadership positions within the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). These appointments highlight their commitment to technical excellence by actively shaping the future of our transportation industry.
Vanessa Skelton named Secretary of ITE International, Traffic Engineering Council
Vanessa Skelton, GHD Associate and Transportation Planning and Traffic Engineering Lead for Canada, has been named Secretary for the Traffic Engineering Council of ITE International. This is an Executive Committee position that places her at the heart of one of ITE’s influential technical groups. In this role, she will act as Secretary for the council and also coordinate the ITE Community and Awards subcommittees.
Vanessa brings experience to the Executive Committee, having served as the Council's Canadian Representative since last January — a position she secured through a competitive application process. She will retain this representative role, continuing to bring a Canadian perspective to international discussions. Her selection as Secretary follows a strong history of volunteering on various committees with ITE both at the International level and within Canada, where she built a reputation for reliability and action.
Secretary for the Traffic Engineering Council of ITE
There has been a significant evolution from the car-centric models of 20 years ago to a more inclusive approach that prioritizes pedestrians and cycling. My goal is to help bring these technical advancements to a broader audience."
Emily Anderson supports the revival of the ITE Quebec Section
In a parallel achievement, Emily Anderson, GHD Candidate to the Engineering Profession (CEP) in Transportation Planning and Traffic, has been appointed Secretary for the ITE Quebec Section. Since joining GHD as an intern three years ago, Emily has actively sought opportunities to engage with the profession, and this past year she stepped confidently into a leadership role with ITE — demonstrating her commitment to industry involvement and professional growth.
Emily has already played a pivotal role in the resurgence of the local chapter, helping to organize its first in-person event in Montreal in years. A key part of her mandate is to continue to grow the Quebec Section, creating new networking and professional development opportunities within the French-speaking transportation market.
Secretary for the ITE Quebec Section
If an opportunity is intriguing to you, I would recommend putting your hand up and trying it out. As a young professional, the best way to know if an opportunity is worth pursuing is to jump in headfirst and get involved. I find that curiosity is often rewarded. We are trying to open the section up to everyone in Quebec, with avenues for anyone interested to become active; the point of any professional association is that you want people to join you."
GHD commitment to industry leadership
These appointments complement the active involvement of our key staff, including Eric Tripi, Regional Transportation Leader, on the ITE Simulation Committee, and Lindsey Van Parys, Regional Transportation Market Lead (US West), who serves as Chair of the ITE International Council Leadership Team.
Transportation Market Lead – Ontario Region
I love seeing the increase in our participation in technical industry committees, especially in the transportation planning and engineering space. We look forward to meaningfully expanding our engagement even further, particularly among our young professionals and across different regions."
GHD’s involvement and commitment to ITE highlight how our leaders actively encourage early-career professionals to build community and contribute to the industry's evolution with fresh perspectives. Through active mentorship, Vanessa encouraged Emily to play a pivotal role in the ITE Quebec chapter’s resurgence, demonstrating how our leaders support the next generation in carving their own paths.
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GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 165 offices located on five continents.