TYLin Honored as Corporation of the Year, Cementing DEI as Industry Standard

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – August 06, 2026 – Global engineering and consulting firm TYLin was named Corporation of the Year by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), a landmark recognition that underscores a growing industry-wide movement to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of transportation infrastructure. The award, announced at COMTO’s 55th National Meeting and Training Conference in Washington, D.C., highlights TYLin's sustained efforts to foster an equitable and innovative future for mobility.

The honor coincides with the appointment of Kimberly Haynes-Slaughter, TYLin’s Transportation Lead for North America, as the First Vice Chair of COMTO’s National Board of Directors. This dual recognition celebrates not only a corporate philosophy but also the impactful leadership driving it, signaling a pivotal moment for a sector historically challenged by a lack of diversity.

"We are incredibly honored to be recognized as COMTO's Corporation of the Year," said TYLin President and CEO Matt Cummings. "The future of transportation depends on strong partnerships, diverse perspectives, and a shared commitment to serving communities. This recognition reflects the dedication of our people and reinforces our commitment to helping build a stronger, more inclusive transportation industry alongside COMTO."

A Blueprint for Corporate Responsibility

TYLin's recognition is not the result of a single initiative but a deep-seated, multi-pronged strategy to advance DEI within its global operations. COMTO's selection criteria for Corporation of the Year are rigorous, demanding consistent support for its mission, active engagement with local chapters, and a visible commitment from executive leadership. TYLin joins an esteemed list of past recipients, including industry giants WSP, HNTB, and Jacobs.

Central to the firm's success is its employee-led group, BUILD (Bridging the Gap, Unifying the Company, Including Everyone, Leveling the Playing Field, and Diversifying TYLin). Established in 2020, BUILD has become the engine for developing programs that drive tangible change. Its "D" Team, focused on diversification, actively partners with universities in historically underrepresented communities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), hosting virtual sessions to demystify engineering careers for students.

This commitment to the talent pipeline extends to younger students as well. A STEM School Engagement Program, launched in 2022, is being piloted in the firm's Chicago office to introduce high schoolers to engineering and construction through "lunch and learns," with opportunities for summer internships and scholarships. With over 130 interns in the summer of 2026 alone, the company provides extensive hands-on project experience and direct interaction with leadership, nurturing the next generation of industry innovators.

COMTO lauded these efforts in its official statement. “Through active engagement with COMTO chapters across North America, investment in mentorship and workforce development, and a steadfast commitment to creating opportunities for small businesses and emerging professionals, TYLin continues to strengthen the transportation industry from the ground up,” the organization noted. This support extends beyond mentorship to concrete business practices, with TYLin actively working to exceed its contract supplier diversity goals by championing partnerships with Disadvantaged, Women-owned, Minority-Owned, and other diverse business enterprises.

Leadership and Representation in Motion

The swearing-in of Kimberly Haynes-Slaughter as COMTO’s First Vice Chair adds a powerful layer to the firm's recognition. A veteran with over 35 years in both the public and private transportation sectors, Haynes-Slaughter embodies the intersection of technical excellence and a passion for social equity. Before joining TYLin in 2024, she held CEO and executive leadership roles at SYSTRA USA, HNTB, and HDR, and served as Senior Vice President at Houston's Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County.

A longtime COMTO member, her influence is felt across the industry. She has served on the executive committee of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), co-chaired its Post-COVID Mobility Recovery Task Force, and was a member of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s transportation transition team in 2019. COMTO previously honored her as a 2022 "Woman Who Moves the Nation."

Her ascent to a key leadership position on COMTO’s national board while steering TYLin's North American transportation sector is a testament to a career dedicated to creating accessible and reliable transit for all communities. COMTO’s statement highlighted this synergy, noting that TYLin's leadership, through figures like Haynes-Slaughter, "reflects a belief that lasting progress is built through collaboration, partnership, and investment in people."

The Power of Partnership in Shaping Equitable Transit

The collaboration between TYLin and COMTO serves as a case study in how public-private partnerships can drive systemic change. Founded in 1971 at Howard University, COMTO has evolved from a small forum for minority professionals into North America’s leading advocacy organization for equity in transportation. With 41 chapters, its mission is to ensure transportation serves all communities by developing leaders, fostering partnerships, and advocating for a people-centered ecosystem.

COMTO’s impact is multifaceted. The organization is a vocal advocate in Washington for policies that support small and minority-owned businesses, particularly in navigating complex federal regulations like the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. It also spearheads direct-impact initiatives, such as its selection by the U.S. Department of Transportation to lead a $4.25 million Thriving Communities program, providing technical assistance to under-resourced communities to develop their own transportation projects.

For a firm like TYLin, founded in 1954 by engineering legend Tung-Yen Lin, partnering with COMTO aligns its legacy of technical innovation with the modern imperative for social justice. This partnership helps ensure that the planning and design of iconic infrastructure projects—from bridges and airports to transit systems—are informed by the diverse needs of the communities they are built to serve.

Investing in the Next Generation

A tangible example of this collaborative investment is the COMTO National Scholarship program, which TYLin helps fund. The program is a cornerstone of COMTO's strategy to cultivate a pipeline of diverse talent. This year, a scholarship was awarded to Nawshin Tabassum in recognition of her academic excellence and commitment to the transportation industry.

Tabassum, a Ph.D. student in the Department of City and Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah, focuses her research on critical issues at the heart of COMTO's mission, including transportation equity, transit-oriented development, and the interaction between land use and mobility. Her work on climate adaptation for active transportation and methodologies for assessing urban walkability demonstrates the forward-thinking mindset needed to solve tomorrow's infrastructure challenges.

By partially funding this scholarship, TYLin is not just making a charitable donation but is actively investing in the research and leadership that will shape a more equitable and sustainable transportation future. This act reinforces the principles behind its Corporation of the Year award, demonstrating a holistic commitment that extends from its corporate boardrooms to university classrooms.