Rising Stars 2023: Cami Hoffmann

Cami Hoffmann, 30
Advanced analytics manager
TTX Co.

Nominator’s quote: “Cami has been instrumental in streamlining many of the economic forecasting and demand planning processes. Among her immediate colleagues and those across different business units, Cami is consistently mindful of creating a culture of knowledge-sharing to pass on her experience with rail equipment, transportation market factors, and economic ties to logistics that can empower her co-workers by broadening their industry knowledge.” — James Fitzgerald, TTX Co.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago; master’s degree in data science from DePaul University.

Job responsibilities: Lead the transition of our multi-application fleet planning process to a new streamlined method leveraging a variety of technologies, including SQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau and advanced Excel. Additionally, use these tools to support the organization’s overall data-drive approach through collaboration with other teams to collect, clean and prepare data for analysis, and then develop custom dashboards and visualizations to communicate insights. Also, mentor and teach new members at TTX through “101” courses and serve the company’s Women’s Business Network as business connections committee co-chair.

Career path: After college, worked as a research assistant for a former professor, then as a business analyst for Golub Capital. After completing a master’s degree, joined TTX as a business intelligence and systems analyst, which eventually led to the next role, manager of intermodal equipment. In late 2021, promoted to advanced analytics manager on the marketing team.

How did you get into the rail industry? TTX was my opening to the rail industry, and I feel fortunate to be with a company that values its employees and is dedicated to making a positive impact in North America. I must admit that getting into the rail industry was a bit of luck, but I have always been drawn to organizations that have a broader mission and make a positive impact on something larger than themselves.

What is the best career advice you’ve received so far? A phrase that has resonated with me and has been reiterated in various instances: “The world belongs to those who show up.” This powerful statement emphasizes the importance of taking initiative, being proactive and actively participating in opportunities that come your way. By showing up, I’ve been able to embrace new challenges, attend networking events, engage in professional development opportunities and actively seek out ways to learn and grow. This advice has empowered me to take charge of my career, build meaningful relationships and continuously strive for improvement.

What advice would you give to a new railroader? Never be afraid to ask questions. Being curious and seeking out information shows that you’re committed to learning and improving. No one knows everything, and even the most experienced railroaders are always learning. Embrace your curiosity, ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of your role and the work you’re doing. It also can help you build relationships with your colleagues and establish yourself as a committed member of the team.

What was your first job? Aside from many years babysitting the neighbor’s kids, my first “real” job was as a pharmacy technician — you can be one before you turn 18.

Share a fun fact about yourself. I got married last year, and our reception was held at a wedding venue that used to be a Chicago fire station. One of the most memorable and fun moments of our wedding was our entrance. Instead of the traditional walk into the room, my husband and I decided to surprise our guests by sliding down the fire pole

If you could have dinner with anyone alive in the world, who would it be and why? My sister, whom I haven't seen for years. As someone who values family relationships and connections, I believe that personal relationships are just as important as professional ones. In fact, the support and love that we receive from our family can provide us with the motivation and strength to succeed in our careers, so having the opportunity to reconnect with my sister over dinner and catch up on everything that has happened in our lives would be a truly special and valuable experience for me.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career and why? Undoubtedly, my husband. We met during our undergraduate studies, and from the very beginning, he has been a constant source of support, encouragement and inspiration. His belief in my abilities has pushed me to strive for greatness and never settle. From shifting career goals to pushing me to pursue my master’s degree, he has provided unwavering motivation.

A memorable gesture was when he gifted me a laptop for my studies, symbolizing his dedication to my education and professional endeavors. Despite being in different industries, we share similar challenges, and his insights have shaped my decision making. I am incredibly grateful for his presence in my life not only as my life partner but also as a driving force behind my career growth and success.

Describe a major obstacle in your career and how you surmounted it. Being offered a prestigious and confidential government position. The extensive pre-employment process involved rigorous background checks, polygraphs and multiple interviews that took well over two years. Despite the opportunity, I made the decision to turn it down in order to prioritize staying near my family in the Chicago area.

Family happiness and maintaining those close relationships were paramount to me. Although it was a challenging choice, I shifted my focus toward finding fulfilling opportunities locally. This experience taught me the importance of balancing personal and professional goals, and I realized that true success comes from finding harmony in all aspects of life, including our careers and personal relationships.