PA Turnpike Employee Recognized for Contributions to Women in Transportation
PA Turnpike Employee Recognized for Contributions to Women in Transportation
Recognition comes during Women’s History Month
Middletown, Pa. — A Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) employee is being recognized for her leadership and commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion within the transportation industry. Karen Muro was named the WTS International Central Pennsylvania Chapter's Member of the Year.
“Congratulations to Karen for this well-deserved recognition,” said Sheri Herbst, Chief Administrative Officer for the PA Turnpike. “She has been instrumental in advancing the mission, vision and value of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and dedicating herself to developing connections within our workforce. She brings compassion and a sense of value to every role, program and initiative, which has made the Commission a better place for all.”
With over 16 years at the PA Turnpike, Muro serves as the Employee Connections Program Manager and is the coordinator of the PA Turnpike’s Employee Network and Chair of the Women’s Council. Her journey has been marked by a spirit of teamwork and a deep-rooted belief in collective achievement.
“I am so overwhelmed with gratitude and grace to receive this award and to work for an organization that allows us to do this work and encourages our involvement,” said Muro. “I’m not a me person, I’m a we person. Our team is included in this award as far as I’m concerned. Together, this team has opened doors, opportunities and experiences – that’s what makes it very special.”
Her career spans healthcare, education, and transportation, including 13 years in healthcare, where she served as a Recruitment and Retention Manager and managed the emergency room. Her passion for helping others has always been vital to her approach. Through her work, she has improved access and helped bring an employee conference focused on strengthening connection and collaboration across the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
“We put the ‘human’ in ‘human resources’ and we really are about the people here at the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It’s the people of our organization that helps everything else fall into place,” said Muro. “My goal is to make sure that everyone who wears a badge in this organization knows that their badge is important, that they belong here and that they can make a difference.”
Originally called the Women’s Transportation Seminar, WTS is dedicated to attracting, sustaining, connecting and advancing women in transportation. The Central PA Chapter includes more than 150 members and hosts speaker events, field trips and professional networking opportunities throughout the year. It also awards annual scholarships to deserving young women pursuing transportation careers.
As chair of the WTS Central Pennsylvania Chapter’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee, Muro is part of a team that helped WTS form their guiding principles – Courage, Continual Learning, Accountability and Civility. Her “aha moments” are rooted in seeing people grow, connect, and feel a sense of belonging—whether at conferences, in training sessions, or through one-on-one interactions.
A native of Newtown, PA, Muro has also been shaped by her experience as a cancer survivor. Following a challenging five-year battle, she now marks 16 years since her diagnosis. Muro and her husband now live in Etters, PA, and enjoy spending time with their daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren along with their fur baby, Dean Martin.
Muro will be honored during the WTS Awards and Scholarship Gala on March 25 at the West Shore Country Club.
A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com
Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com