The Illinois Section of ITE is hosting a webinar for transportation professionals. This event will be hosted online using Zoom Webinar and is free for all attendees.
Learn not only the basics about different grant opportunities but also how to submit competitive applications. Set your organization up for success and learn the dos and don’ts of grant submissions. The presentation will include key elements and considerations when preparing applications.
Specifically, attendees will learn:
About different grant programs at the regional, state and federal levels
How to determine if you have a competitive project
Key elements of grant application
How to write a compelling narrative
How to work with funding agencies
Tammy Wierciak joined Metro Strategies in 2016 after working with local municipalities and regional agencies for almost two decades. She is responsible for researching and developing policy recommendations and implementation tactics, as well as building funding strategies and creating successful grant applications. Tammy has produced and managed award-winning project advocacy and construction communication campaigns. Tammy is a proven public affairs professional who anticipates issues, develops solutions and oversees projects to ensure quality products and services that align with client goals. Her history of working with all levels of government, state agencies and transit providers-such as CMAP, RTA, Pace, Metra, IDOT and the Illinois Tollway-offers clients the experience and personal relationships needed to navigate and advance any project.
Her professional career started in the district office of House Minority Leader Lee Daniels. In this capacity, she began forging strong regional and suburban relationships, working closely with local elected officials on state issues. More recently, Tammy served as the planning coordinator for the West Central Municipal Conference. As a liaison to 40 communities, she leveraged her thorough understanding of suburban concerns, policies and stakeholders to provide high-level project strategy on the West Central Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and the Cook DuPage Corridor Study, among others. Tammy shepherded local municipal projects through the state and federal funding process, overseeing the implementation of STP, CMAQ, ITEP and SRTS funds.
Tammy attended North Central College and received a B.A. in Political Science and an M.S. in Public Service Management from DePaul University. Tammy enjoys baking with her daughters, gardening and working on home renovation projects.
Seema Wadia specializes in grant writing, policy research and project management for government and nonprofit clients. She has over 21 years of experience working with health, environmental, transportation and human service agencies during all phases of program management—from planning and implementation to evaluation for a range of issues.
Since joining Metro Strategies in 2010, Seema has developed and written grant proposals resulting in almost $32 million in approved awards for both government and nonprofit clients. In addition to grant writing, Seema leads the firm’s planning and project implementation work, overseeing best practice research and methodologies, writing technical reports and managing all reporting aspects and project compliance requirements.
Seema is a past board president of the Grant Professionals Association Chicago Area Chapter. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Studies and a B.A. in Political Science.
Please contact the IL ITE Technical Chair, Andrew Freeman, at illinoisite+technical@gmail.com with any questions