Sharing your story: LRW symposium highlights importance of authenticity and connections for women in rail 

By Bridget Dean, Associate Editor 

Rail industry professionals from across North America gathered for a day of education, professional development and networking at the League of Railway Women’s (LRW) “Telling Your Story” Symposium, held June 11 at the Willis Tower in downtown Chicago. The event featured timely industry topic discussions, a workshop on personal branding and plenty of time for attendees to get to know each other. 

Before the symposium formally kicked off at noon, attendees had the chance to take one of two rail-based tours in the Chicago region in the morning — to BNSF Railway Co.’s Cicero Yard or to Metra’s 47th/49th Street facilities. For a number of women in attendance, the tours were their first time seeing a rail yard or behind-the-scenes views of a passenger railroad.  

Kicking off the symposium’s programming was keynote speaker Janice Thomas, chief of staff/deputy executive director-external affairs at Metra. Her energy, humor and passion for lifting others up were fitting for the symposium’s theme. Thomas spoke on the importance of showing up as yourself and knowing who you are, maintaining confidence as a woman in rail and staying resilient while facing difficulties.  

Two panel discussions followed Thomas’ keynote. The first session — “Navigating Political Change: Implications for Rail” — featured Melissa Connolly, assistant vice president of government affairs with the Association of American Railroads; Melissa Cotton, head of federal government affairs, Canada, with CN; and Fernando Marcel Ponce Ulvert, senior manager of institutional relations in Mexico with Canadian Pacific Kansas City. Katie Kachel, principal at Blank Rome Government Affairs, moderated the session.  

The three government affairs professionals discussed the relationship between federal governments and railroads functions in the United States, Canada and Mexico. They also highlighted how recent elections in all three countries have shifted priorities in trade, passenger rail and safety regulations. (Note: There’ll be a more in-depth story about this panel on RailPrime later this week.) 

Telling your story 

The second session — “Allow Yourself to be More Known — How, Where, and When to Tell Your Story” — was a 90-minute workshop conducted by Tamara Edwards, founder of TE&Co. A public relations, personal branding and communications specialist, Edwards walked attendees through an exercise on sharing more of themselves with the world — and why doing so matters. 

Edwards said she enjoys being a guide for women in industries where personal branding and storytelling aren’t traditionally used as a way to advance careers.  

“If there is any possible way I can advance professional women, I’ll do it,” she said. 

One of Edwards’ clients, Linda Laurello, CEO of Delta Railroad Services, participated in a fireside chat during Edwards’ workshop. Laurello shared her story about becoming CEO last year, making the switch from working in daily operations to big-picture planning. She also said she shares her personal story on LinkedIn to better connect with Delta employees and industry connections.  

The day’s final panel — “Navigating Career Transitions and Hiring Best Practices” — offered insight for job seekers, human resources professionals and hiring managers.  

Speakers included Michelle Bourdon, director of talent acquisition at CPKC; Kathleen Hepburn, senior manager of talent at GATX, Michele Malski, founder and president of Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation (SPRING); and James Zubik, vice president of finance and administration at Anacostia Rail Holdings Co. 

The professionals offered winning HR and hiring strategies, advice for creating internships and “returnships” for individuals returning to work after retirement, strategies for good communication with recruiters, tips for using artificial intelligence to screen online applications and LinkedIn connections to learn about a company before accepting a job. 

Final connections 

Near the end of the symposium, attendees were ushered into a networking activity designed to connect newer rail industry professionals with those who have more experience in the rail world. Attendees also were able to reflect on their LRW participation. 

Elizabeth Bender, manager of federal government affairs at BNSF, says she will continue to show up as a leader for the Class I, and reflect more on her “why” as a result of attending the day’s sessions. As a member of the LRW events committee, she coordinated the offsite tour of the BNSF Cicero yard.  

“[It’s] really important to be part of a group like this in a male-dominated field,” Bender adds. “[It’s important to] be around, support women, learn from women and uplift women.”