Media Kit » Try RailPrime™ Today! »
Progressive Railroading
Newsletter Sign Up
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.




  railPrime
            View Current Digital Issue »



Rail News Home Railroading People

2/3/2025



Rail News: Railroading People

Progressive Railroading announces 50 Women of Influence in Rail


advertisement

Today, Progressive Railroading announces the names of 50 honorees for the magazine's inaugural program recognizing Women of Influence in Rail.

Progressive Railroading launched Women of Influence in Rail to help bridge the persistent gender gap in both craft and management roles within the rail industry. Despite ongoing efforts, women continue to be significantly underrepresented in railroading: In 2024, they made up just 8.9% of the U.S. rail transportation workforce — the lowest percentage across all transportation sectors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In November 2024, we invited railroads and rail sector businesses to identify the most influential women in their organizations and share how they are making a meaningful impact. We wanted to know not just who these women are, but how they deploy their influence to drive positive change within their companies. Employers were asked to nominate outstanding women based on one of five key categories: leadership, innovation, mentorship, technology or sustainability.

From those nominations, Progressive Railroading compiled the following list of 50 Women of Influence in Rail for 2025. Along with their names and employers, we've included the category for which they were nominated. In March, the magazine and ProgressiveRailroading.com will feature descriptions of the 50 honorees' influence from the perspective of their companies.

Additionally, Progressive Railroading will honor the 50 Women of Influence during a virtual celebration on March 20.

In the meantime, please read the names of these special women, then join us in wishing them a hearty congratulations for their successful influence on their companies and railroading.

— Julie Sneider, Senior Editor

Maryam Agahi, National Steel Car, leadership

Adriene Bailey, Oliver Wyman, leadership

Jennifer Bailey, Norfolk Southern Railway, leadership

Tracy Barclay-Ward, Backtrack Railway Services Ltd., leadership

Tina Beckberger, AITX, leadership

Riley Birmingham, HDR Inc., leadership

Christina Bottomley, CSX, innovation

Kirsten Bowen, Michael Baker International, mentorship

Amy Brown, Trinity Industries Inc., innovation

Ritu Chawla, Wi-Tronix, innovation

Jacinda Clemenzi, ENSCO Inc., leadership

Grace Cobbinah, Cedar AI, technology

Shelly Colucci, L.B. Foster, innovation

Carrie Crozier, CSX, leadership

Felismina De Oliveira, Norfolk Southern Railway, sustainability

Loretta Ebbighausen, MTA Long Island Rail Road, leadership

Carla Ewing, Watco, mentorship

Amanda Fagan, Ventura County Transportation Commission, sustainability

Amber Farley, TNW Corp., leadership

Caitlin Grant, RailWorks, leadership

Lori Garrison, Siemens Mobility, leadership

Trish Haver, North Carolina Railroad Co., leadership

Akilah Henry, Toyota Motor North America Rail Operations, leadership

Kris Hoellen, B&O Railroad Museum, leadership

Cherita Hunter Jones, Norfolk Southern Railway, mentorship

Elisabeth Klawunn, Delaware River Port Authority/PATCO, mentorship

Elisabeth Leija, Trans-Global Solutions Inc., leadership

Leslie-Anne Lewis, CN, leadership

Debbi Lowry, L.B. Foster, mentorship

Michele Malski, SPRING, leadership

Claudia Mandurino, Hitachi Rail, innovation

Lisa Matta, Wi-Tronix, technology

Sarah McBrayer, L.B. Foster, leadership

Laura McNichol, Watco, leadership

Jayashree Menon, Hitachi Rail, technology

Devina Miller, Norfolk Southern Railway, innovation

Bridget Monahan, Traylor Bros. Inc., mentorship

Jackie Morales, Icomera North America, leadership

Mariah Morales, Amtrak, mentorship

Connie Nordhues-Bieber, Railspire, technology

Monica Poyner, American Truck & Rail Audits Inc., leadership

Beth Pratt, Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO), leadership

Patricia Quinn, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, leadership

Maria Saratsiotis, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, leadership

Sapna Shah, MTA Metro-North Railroad, technology

Marcia Shapiro, Marine Tiger Technologies, leadership

Adriana Smith, The Greenbrier Cos., sustainability

Maureen Taylor, MTA Metro-North Railroad, leadership

Kate Wen, Traylor Bros. Inc., technology

Mindy White, RailPros, mentorship



Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 2/3/2025