Job history: Linda has spent over 20 years helping shape Delta Railroad Services into a trusted railroad construction and maintenance business. Having grown up in the business, she worked in the field, managed finances and provided operations oversight. In 2024, Linda became the company's first female CEO. Since then, she's led Delta through growth and modernization; strengthened partnerships with Class Is, regionals and short lines; and created programs to move the company forward. On February 27, she was named chairman of the board.

Why she's influential as a leader: Under Linda's leadership, Delta has built a culture in which people take ownership, communicate and understand how their work connects to the company's success. She created programs that bring those values to life, such as "CEO for the Day," which gives emerging leaders a chance to step into the executive role, attend leadership meetings and see firsthand what it takes to run a company. She also launched "A Day in the Life," which invites employees from every department to share their day-to-day experiences — what's going well and where challenges exist. This has helped bridge the gap between the office and the field, and gives leadership a clearer understanding of what employees need to do their best work.

Outside of Delta, Linda uses her platform to help women advance in rail. As an active member of the League of Railway Women and the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association, Linda shares her experiences to encourage other women to lead with confidence and without apology.