Rising Stars 2023: Emma Moser

Emma Moser, 36
Director, safety and reporting
Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc.

Nominator’s quote: “When Emma first joined G&W in 2018, she immediately began conducting more than 500 one-on-one surveys with frontline employees to assess the company’s safety culture and lay the foundation for enhancing that culture.” — Michael Miller, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from Florida State University; master’s in kinesiology from the University of Georgia.

Job responsibilities: Serve as a liaison between field operations, reporting officers and regulatory bodies to record, report and maintain records for accident/incident reporting. Also, support railroad leaders with incident investigations and root cause analysis, as well as analyze data and identify trends to help prioritize resources, support safety culture initiatives and develop health and safety education.

Career path: Started out at CSX on the health and wellness team at the training facility in Atlanta, later promoted to director of human performance team. Five years later, transitioned from the railroad to the YMCA as executive director for two locations. In 2018, returned to railroading at G&W as director of safety and reporting.

How did you get into the rail industry? I was looking for a position in corporate wellness because I felt corporations had a unique opportunity to impact employees’ well-being outside of a clinical setting. The railroad has a distinct set of challenges due to the physical nature of the job and the wide range of generations that comprise the workforce, which makes health and wellness even more critical.

What is the best career advice you’ve received so far? Take ownership over your career. If there is an opportunity you are interested in, go for it.

What advice would you give to a new railroader? There is longevity in the industry and ample opportunity to grow. Many current leaders started in frontline positions. Work hard, embrace new challenges and enjoy the journey.

What was your first job? At 16 years old, I worked as a summer camp counselor at Rollins College, teaching swimming, canoeing and art to elementary school-age children.

Share a fun fact about yourself. Moving back and forth along the East Coast allowed me to spend time in the mountains and on the water, which has really contributed to my appreciation for the outdoors. I love hiking, paddleboarding, camping and boating, and being able to share those activities now with my family and two-year-old son makes them so much more meaningful.

If you could have dinner with anyone alive in the world, who would it be and why? Tom Brady. To lead a team and be the best in your field requires such personal dedication and commitment to others. We can learn a lot from athletes in how they prepare physically and mentally, motivate others and ultimately take all that work across the goal line (pun intended).

Who has had the biggest influence on your career and why? My family. From a young age, my parents instilled in me the value of meaningful work. I had support that allowed me to take chances and a sounding board to help me navigate challenges.

Describe a major obstacle in your career and how you surmounted it. I entered the industry as a 22-year-old in an environment that prized knowledge built from experience. I quickly realized the value of making a concerted effort to understand the work and each employee’s experience and perspective. Railroaders are highly skilled and adept at adapting to a constantly changing environment. Without the experience of performing the work, it is hard to fully comprehend the level of skill required to do the job. Spending time with employees and getting closer to their work makes me better at mine.