In Port Antonio to enjoy the sights and sounds at last Sunday’s Sundance party on the sands of Trident Beach is Selena Mohammed-Wilson. The transportation planner at National Works Agency, certainly no stranger to a hot-ticket social affair, is as always confidently fashionable. We wrest her away from friends — albeit, momentarily — to chat about why she likes men who don’t talk back and how she sees no change in gender imbalance in management even a decade from now.

What are you sipping?

Hennessy Very Special Cognac and Red Bull.

Explain to us what the role of a transportation planner demands.

Essentially, I manage projects which are geared towards road safety from procurement to implementation, conduct feasibility studies and economic analyses for locally and internationally funded projects, and research and analyse the impact of proposed transportation strategies. For example, to improve the traffic flow on a corridor or urban centre, we need to analyse the impact to determine if it makes sense economically and if the money is well-spent.

How do you think Jamaica stacks up against its first world counterparts with regard to our transportation scheduling and infrastructure?

We don’t! We are so far behind when compared to developed and even other developing economies. There are simply not enough resources to provide the best transport infrastructure which involves continuous routine maintenence, repairing roads that have deteriorated beyond patch jobs, implementing effective strategies for the best use of the existing network with respect to public transport, traffic management, etc. These are all competing for the same resources within our limited ‘fiscal space’ .

With the gender imbalance at the tertiary level and female enrolment exceeding males, how do you foresee this playing out in the hierarchy of management a decade from now?

A decade from now, we will not even have a gender balance in management despite tertiary enrolment. Reasons being:

1. The double burden syndrome of balancing professional career and family life. I have three children, so this is a daily struggle;

2. The glass ceiling effect, which in itself has invisible obstacles for women to ascend based on traditional and cultural stereotypes;

3. The lack of personal ambition in women to pursue top management careers, and I know women do not like to hear this, but it is a reality. Even those who desire it may not be necessarily working towards it and because of the stereotypes previously mentioned, we have to work twice as hard; and

4. The lack of sufficient female role models and a deficient support lobby.

We’ve bumped into you on a number of occasions at after-hours social dos. What is your take on the call to extend the Noise Abatement Act beyond 2:00 am?

I have been both an opponent and proponent of this debate: When I really need ‘those people’ to shut off the music so I can sleep and, when I’m enjoying a party and wish it could go on a little longer. Ultimately though, rest is important for good health so I’d definitely say 2:00 am as the cut-off time. But should we decide to zone areas simply for entertainment (away from residential areas), then I’d

extend it in those areas.

Who does your hair?

Major jobs like cut and colour are Lisa Hutchinson and Beauty Quest. And between January and now, I’ve had colour jobs ranging from honey blond to platinum and red, baby pink and even purple rinses. Shampoo, deep treatment, are done by Pulse (Angela) or a friend who works from home.

Who does your nails?

Amandel’s Beauty Salon.

What are you listening to on your iPod playlist or on your car stereo?

Chronixx’s Dread & Terrible and Chris Martin’s Chill Spot EP.

What five descriptions best sum up Selena?

Nurturer, foodie, avid reader, fashion lover and adventurous.

What are your must-have travel essentials?

My iPad — no matter how short a flight, I need to occupy my time reading; wipes: I can’t tolerate dirty hands and I’m a germaphobe; chewing gum, necessary for take-off and landing; toothbrush and toothpaste — you never know when you’ll be delayed; and chapstick.

Who is your life mentor?

No one. Is that a bad thing? There are many persons who I admire their professionalism, passion and motivation/drive and have guided me both professionally and personally, but no one comes close to the true definition of a mentor.

What is your idea of the perfect man?

Someone who doesn’t talk back. “Yes, Sel. No Sel. Whatever you want, Sel.” Freaking perfection!

What would be the perfect date?

Everyone will tell you I’m a foodie and food doesn’t have to be gourmet or expensive to be satisfying. Put that in a setting like Strawberry Hill or EITS Café and I’m sold! I’m really easy to please.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

If not leading the charge, then a part of a team that is developing a Travel Demand Forecast Model. This model is used to determine demand of a transport network using attributes such as income, age, enjoyment status, and vehicle ownership. The demand determines where a new road is needed because 90% of the population there are motor vehicle owners, where a bus route is necessary, etc.