Job history: Xiaojing started at Metro-North as a geographic information system (GIS) manager in February 2014 and has been an assistant deputy director of GIS since October 2016.

Why she's influential in technology: Xiaojing's work bridges technology with operations to make lasting improvements at the railroad. She focuses on upgrading systems, improving data quality and accessibility, supporting safer field operations and connecting GIS with other key operational technologies.

Xiaojing took the lead in migrating the station and facilities inspection process to the HxGN platform, orchestrating every phase from stakeholder engagement to technical execution. Those efforts resulted in a streamlined inspection workflow and enhanced data accessibility.

Xiaojing and colleagues delivered a set of signal location data and station component details, creating groundwork for future HxGN integration. She also partnered with IT and other agencies to configure GIS maps within HxGN to improve the field inspection experience. Moreover, she helped create tools that improve safety in the field, and integrated GIS data into systems used by security to access camera location information. Currently, Xiaojing leads the track outage project, which replaces a paper—and Excel-based workflow with a GIS-based system to improve coordination between MOW and transportation teams.