From the Editor - Of gender equity, inclusion and influence

This past fall, we invited rail-related businesses to nominate the most influential women in their organizations. We weren’t just looking for names, as Senior Editor Julie Sneider, who helmed our Women of Influence in Rail recognition program, put it — we wanted to share how these women use their influence to drive positive change within their organizations.

To that end, we asked employers to nominate candidates in one of five categories: Leadership, Innovation, Mentorship, Technology or Sustainability. We received nominations from a range of businesses, including Class Is, short lines and regionals, passenger railroads, suppliers, contractors and engineering firms. From there, we compiled a list of 50 women who deserve recognition.

More rail industry organizations have embraced gender equity strategies and goals in recent years, and for good reasons. They foster innovation, research shows. Diverse perspectives enable organizations to approach problems from a range of angles, leading to quicker solutions, many believe. And inclusion can beget a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment.

There’s more gender-equity embracing to come. Women only made up 8.9% of U.S. rail transportation jobs in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s the lowest percentage across all transportation sectors.

Last month, President Trump issued an executive order requiring “all agencies to enforce our longstanding civil-rights laws and to combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs and activities.” Some major U.S. corporations were quick to announce they would reduce or end DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs.

I think most railroads will continue to cast a wider net to find and develop future influencers. In doing so, they’ll continue to think in terms of equity and diversity on any number of fronts. Whatever words and/or corresponding acronyms are used to refer to their efforts.

In the meantime, read about and celebrate this year’s class of Women of Influence in Rail. Collectively, their employers’ words about them tell a story. One we’re privileged to share.

And: Join us for a live webcast on Thursday, March 20, as we celebrate the Women of Influence in Rail. This special virtual event, which is free to attend, will feature recognition of all 50 honorees; a moderated panel discussion with influential industry leaders; and an interactive audience Q&A.  

The panel will comprise Christina Bottomley, vice president of business development and real estate, CSX; Kirsten Bowen, national director of rail and transit, Michael Baker International; Felismina "Mina" De Oliveira, vice president, enterprise resources, Norfolk Southern Railway; and Laura McNichol, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, Watco. 

Register for the event here. Hope to see you there.

Now available: Tony Hatch’s ‘Intermodal at the Crossroads’ report

With all that’s come out of Washington in recent weeks that could impact the North American economy and freight transportation landscape — from the will-there-or-won’t-there-be-tariffs-on-goods-from-Mexico-and-Canada question to a potentially shifting world order — uncertainty doesn’t just rule these days. It’s making itself at home, hunkering down for what could be a pretty long haul.

But if there’s anything I’m certain about, it’s that intermodal in the North American rail space is a growth story.

So, for me, the timing of the release of a new intermodal report couldn’t have been better.

In late February, independent transportation analyst and Progressive Railroading columnist Tony Hatch issued a white paper titled “Intermodal at the Crossroads: Leader of the Growth Pivot.”

The third in a series, this report was sponsored by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). The report’s aim: to explain and analyze the past 10 intermodal years, what differed from the previous two reports (published in 2002 and 2014), and where intermodal could go in the next decade.

It’s a good read. And it provides plenty of reasons to keep believing in the power of intermodal. To download a copy of “Intermodal at the Crossroads,” visit the Resource Center at IANA’s website: intermodal.org.