Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Shines as WTS Woman of the Year
Congratulations to Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse for earning the Woman of the Year Award from both the WTS Greater Chicago Chapter and WTS International.
Rouse gains this double distinction by keeping diversity and inclusion at the heart of the Tollway’s long-term strategies and for her leadership in opening doors for women and minorities across the transportation industry.
"Cassaundra Rouse exemplifies the qualities of a forward-thinking and results-oriented leadership that make her worthy of our Woman of the Year Award,” said WTS International Board Chair and Lumenor Consulting Group CEO Bridgette Beato. “Her trailblazing efforts have not only advanced transportation infrastructure but have also inspired innovation, collaboration and progress across the transportation sector.”
Added WTS Greater Chicago President Mary Lou Kutska: “Cassaundra’s leadership is an inspiration to women across the transportation industry. Her commitment to excellence and inclusion has elevated the status and reputation of women leaders in our field and we are proud to honor her achievements.”
Rouse’s influence extends far beyond Illinois. As a board member of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), she works alongside global leaders to tackle the transportation industry’s biggest challenges. She also serves as vice chair of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee for Northeastern Illinois and supports women in transportation through her roles on the WTS Greater Chicago Chapter advisory board and IBTTA’s Women in Tolling Council.
For Rouse, the Woman of the Year honor reflects a broader mission.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition from WTS, which reflects both the incredible team I work with at the Illinois Tollway and the importance of creating opportunities for others,” says Rouse. “I believe that when we invest in people – whether through mentorship, education or greater access to opportunity – we build stronger communities and a better future for transportation.”
Under Rouse’s leadership, the Tollway isn’t just modernizing critical transportation infrastructure through its capital investments, it’s fueling economic development, creating jobs and driving regional growth.
A passionate advocate for equity, Rouse champions opportunities for small, diverse, women- and veteran-owned firms, as well as underrepresented individuals, to participate in Tollway projects and contracts – further strengthening the region’s economy along the way.
She also invests in the future workforce, expanding internship and outreach programs that introduce high school and college students to careers in transportation. These efforts help build a pipeline of diverse, talented professionals ready to lead the industry forward.
A proud native of Chicago’s Southland, Rouse continues to give back through her volunteer work with Jack and Jill of America and other community organizations.
The WTS Greater Chicago Chapter honored Rouse during an awards ceremony in Chicago on May 1, and WTS International celebrates her achievement during its annual conference in Toronto on May 8.