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2/9/2026
Last month, we opened the nomination process for our 14th annual Rising Stars Awards, a recognition program for up-and-coming leaders in the North American railroad industry.
Progressive Railroading defines a Rising Star as someone under the age of 40 who is making a positive difference in his or her company, department or team, and is viewed by others — peers, colleagues, supervisors, clients or associates — as a rising star in the rail industry.
We’ll select 25 Rising Stars and publish their profiles in July on progressiverailroading.com, and in September in our print magazine. The Rising Stars Class of ‘26 also will be honored during a virtual celebration on July 22.
To be considered for the award, nominees must be younger than 40 years old as of Sept. 1, 2026, and currently work in the North American rail industry.
To nominate a Rising Star, fill out the form at progressiverailroading.com/risingstars/submission.aspx. In a detailed written statement, tell us how the nominee is making a positive difference in the rail industry.
Candidates will be considered for recognition based on qualities such as their contributions to railroading, career achievements, demonstrated leadership, education, training and professional association activity or community involvement.
Nominations are due February 27.
The League of Railway Women (LRW) in early January named Dianne Barnett the recipient of the 2025 Railway Woman of the Year Award.
Assistant vice president of mechanical for Norfolk Southern Railway, Barnett received the award Jan. 10 at the 2026 NRC Annual Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition held in Hollywood, Florida.
Co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading, the Railway Woman of the Year Award honors a woman who exhibits leadership and excellence while supporting the personal and professional growth of others in the rail industry.
The LRW’s Woman of the Year Advisory Committee received a record number of nominations for the 2025 award, and Barnett’s stood out.
“You lead with a clear, optimistic vision grounded in accountability and an understanding of the ‘shadow you cast,’ modeling positivity, unity and resilience that foster a culture where success is celebrated, setbacks become learning opportunities and collaboration drives improvement,” LRW President Lisa Tackach wrote in December to notify Barnett of her award.
Barnett’s “safety centered leadership, unwavering dedication to workforce development and commitment to investing in the next generation” made her the clear choice for recognition, Tackach added.
Over her 27-year career, Barnett has embraced challenge, earned trust through consistency and respect, and developed a leadership philosophy centered on growth, Tackach wrote. And Barnett has applied her philosophy to mentoring other rail industry women, many of whom now hold supervisory and management roles.
We’ll publish a more detailed story on Barnett and her career in our March issue. Congratulations, Dianne!