Road less travelled leads to success.

Just talking with Deborah Wathen Finn for a few moments, one would know she was born to lead, and that's just one of the of the reasons she is the first woman to be honored by the Greater New York Councils Boy Scout of America with a Good Scout Award.

"She's a terrific leader. She's inspirational and she's done a lot in her career and broken through a lot of barriers," said Jane Chmielinski, executive VP, CEO of DMJM Harris, the colleague who nominated Wathen Finn for the award. "I felt she brought the very essence of what the [Boy Scout] organization possesses."

Wathen Finn's more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry are a record of effective leadership and innovation. She currently serves as the Metro Sales Officer for New York and New Jersey for HNTB Corporation. She is, among other things, providing strategic direction for expanding HNTB's transit and security related services in those markets.

"I stand before you today as a non-traditional recipient of this award," she said in her acceptance speech. "I appreciate the council's recognition of the growing role of women in our industry and our contributions."

Her contributions are much appreciated at the New York Building Congress, said Richard Anderson, president of the Congress.

"Deborah Wathen Finn has been an exceptional Building Congress Board member," said Anderson. "She has brought a wonderful background and expertise in transportation to our board deliberations, as well as her knowledge in industry and governmental organizations, like the Port Authority."

She began her career in transportation 26 years ago when she was hired as an administrative assistant by then Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Louis J. Gambaccini.

Gambaccini, now a Senior Fellow at Rutgers University, said her enthusiasm overtook the department.

"She came aboard and rather quickly became a key player," he said. "She blended in very well and played a key role. We came to value her input and involvement."

Wathen Finn said her entry into the transportation field was by chance, but she was soon inspired by Gambaccini, who she counts as one of her first mentors that helped to mold her career.

"It was total serendipity," she said. "I was fresh out of graduate school with a desire to make a difference and he turned me onto transportation. I've been blessed to have had the most amazing mentors, but Lou was the person with a passion for transportation and he sparked my interest in the industry."

While at the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Wathen Finn provided effective leadership for major public policy issues and developed the Port Authority's program to address the growing presence of homeless persons in the agency's transportation facilities. That program became a national model for the transportation industry. Throughout her career, she has become a leader in strategic and regional planning.

Wathen Finn also was chosen for the Good Scout award for her dedication to community service. She is extremely active in her community and is most proud of her activities mentoring young persons in transportation. She continues to be active in Women's Transportation Seminar, where she is a former national president. She has received a number of awards for her volunteer activities, including the Greater New York Chapter of WTS's "Women of The Year" and an award from Urban Pathways for her role in the creation of the Open Door Drop-in Center for homeless persons.

During her youth, Wathen Finn was active in scouting for over 12 years. She was one of the first youth leaders for the Morris County Girl Scout Council.

"There weren't a lot of models for girls in leadership roles," she said. "What's important is having female role models that prove women can do it. I have to give back because so many people have helped me."

She tells those she mentors "use each experience to build your portfolio. Look at where you want to be and build a fatter portfolio."

Her daughter Stephanie is her biggest fan. "I'm very proud of what she has done," Stephanie Finn said. "She's always supported me, so I have supported her. I'm glad she's been recognized in an industry that is so very important to her."

So where does Wathen Finn see herself next in a career that as spanned more than a quarter of a century.

"My heart, my passion is in the public realm," she said. "I look forward to a major public leadership role."

Those who are close to her, knows she will do well.

"My mother would be such a power house if she ran for public office," said Stephanie. "She knows what she wants and knows how to get it."

And those that know her well would say she epitomizes one of own her favorite quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

Wathen Finn is a member of the NYBC and serves as co-chair of its Environment Committee. She is active in the American Public Transportation Association in advocating for expanded public transit nationally. She is also active in her church and serves in leadership roles for her undergraduate alma mater, Colby College. Wathen Finn holds a Bachelor of Arts in government from Colby College and a Master's degree in political science from Northern Illinois University. She resides in Westfield, New Jersey, with her husband and two college-age students, James and Stephanie.