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1/15/2026
Today, Progressive Railroading is announcing the names of 55 honorees for the magazine’s second annual Women of Influence in Rail recognition program.
With women currently representing less than 10% of the rail workforce, many rail-sector companies see this gap as an opportunity for growth and are engaged in outreach efforts to promote railroading to women who, historically, may not have considered railroading as a career.
To that end, Progressive Railroading in 2025 launched the Women of Influence in Rail program to recognize women who are committed to advancing the rail industry.
To identify this year’s honorees, we asked rail businesses and related organizations to nominate female employees for recognition in one of four categories: Leadership, Innovation, Technology and Sustainability. We wanted to know more than their names; we asked nominators to explain how these women are using their work and influence to drive positive change.
From those nominations, Progressive Railroading selected 55 Women of Influence in Rail for 2026. 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 honorees' influence from the perspective of their employers. Additionally, Progressive Railroading will honor the 2026 Women of Influence in Rail during a virtual celebration sometime in March.
In the meantime, please read the names of these special women, then join us in wishing them a hearty congratulations for having a positive influence on their organizations and railroading.
— Julie Sneider, Senior Editor
Catherine Adkins, CSX, innovation.
Argyro Apostolou, Omega Industries, leadership.
Shannon Bagato, TTX Co., leadership.
Christina Bailey, GHD, sustainability.
Nicole Bell-Traum, Long Island Rail Road, technology.
Erika Bruhnke, RailPros, leadership.
Claire Burkhardt, Modern Railway Systems, leadership.
Betsy Cantwell, GoRail, innovation.
Miranda Cross, Cummins Inc., leadership.
Kristen Estes, Norfolk Southern Railway, leadership.
Kelly Freeman, Sowinski Sullivan Architects, leadership.
Suzie Guzman, The Greenbrier Cos. Inc., leadership.
Kim Hastings, GFT Infrastructure Inc., leadership.
Jennifer Hathcock, Hitachi Rail, innovation.
Mariann Helmin, Saint Paul Commodities, leadership.
Lisa Hoekenga, Michael Baker International, leadership.
Robyn Hollander, Metro-North Railroad, sustainability.
Elizabeth Hotetz, Metro-North Railroad, leadership.
Elizabeth Hucker, CPKC, leadership.
Sheila Hutson, New York City Transit, leadership.
Jenny Kane, Metra, leadership.
Emily Kimball, Hogan Lovells, leadership.
Shawntell Kroese, Russell-Kroese Partners, leadership.
Linda Laurello, Delta Railroad Services, leadership.
Emily Mak, Southern Railway of British Columbia, sustainability.
Victoria Matts, STV Inc., leadership.
Krista McClure, Norfolk Southern Railway, technology.
Ailsa Nelson, Watco, leadership.
Jennifer Null, FTS Tools LLC, leadership.
Ashley Pate, GFT Infrastructure Inc., innovation.
Sarah Pawlanta, Genesee & Wyoming Inc., leadership.
Raquel Perez Watson, Metro-North Railroad, innovation.
Kelly Pilarski, Urban Engineers Inc., leadership.
Jolyane Raynauld, Canadian Railway Services, leadership.
Katherine Read, Maryland Area Regional Commuter Train Service, leadership.
Anne Reinke, Intermodal Association of North America, leadership.
Eileen Relford, Norfolk Southern Railway, innovation.
Lisa Roberts, Omaha Track Inc., leadership.
Carol Rose, STV Inc., technology.
Stephanie Shaw, National Transportation Safety Board, leadership.
Ashley Shelton, Railway Supply Institute, leadership.
Shannon Simonds, California Department of Transportation, leadership.
Amanda Smith, Kelso Technologies Inc., leadership.
Lisa Smith, Cando Rail & Terminals, leadership.
Emily Spranger, RailPros, innovation.
Crystal Spurgeon, Watco, technology.
Jo Strang, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, leadership.
Beth Sullivan, Long Island Rail Road, leadership.
Adrienne Taylor, Stacy Witbeck, leadership.
Michelle Tortolani, Amtrak, leadership.
Shara Viaje, Tri Innovations Consulting Ltd., leadership.
Sherri Vieira, Southern Railway of British Columbia, innovation.
Xiaojing Wei, Metro-North Railroad, technology.
Theresa Wilder, Railway Systems Suppliers Inc., leadership.
Yuewei Wu, Long Island Rail Road, sustainability.