Rising Stars 2024: Falyn Coleman-Wright

Falyn Coleman-Wright, 36
Vice president of business development, rail division
Accommodations Plus International (API)

Nominator’s quote: “Falyn is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of rail industry professionals, focusing on opening doors for traditionally underrepresented groups. While her engagement with the Women's Transportation Seminar, League of Railway Women and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials reflects her alignment with promoting diversity in transportation, her most impactful contributions have been through informal mentorship and advocacy.” — Todd DeFeo, Chirp PR

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance, Auburn University.

Job responsibilities: Spearheads initiatives in new client development and the management of existing rail-client relationships. Represents the company at industry events.

Career path: I began my career in 2011 as a management trainee at Norfolk Southern Railway in what is now known as network and service management. Over the years, I worked in roles including operation service and support, data quality, damage prevention and freight claims and short line accounting. In 2019, I left NS to join RailUSA, an owner/operator of two short lines: Florida Gulf & Atlantic and Grenada Railroad. Two years later, I pursued an opportunity with Siemens Mobility as a commercial project manager, marking my initial exposure to trainset manufacturing within the passenger transit industry.

In 2023, I achieved a long-term goal by pivoting to business development with Leica Geosystems. In July, I began my new chapter at API, which uses advanced technology to streamline the accommodation process for train and engine and maintenance-of-way workforces.

How or why did you get into the rail industry? Sheer coincidence. I had no family or friends in the industry, and honestly, I initially saw rail as more of an annoyance. However, my perspective began to change during a recruiting event at Auburn University. Norfolk Southern was there. I ended up having a captivating conversation with one of the recruiters.

What’s the best career advice that you’ve received? I’ve gotten some great advice over the years. But the standout is the advice to incorporate Harvey J. Coleman PIE model into my professional approach. The model breaks down career success into three factors: performance (10%), image (30%), and Exposure (60%). This advice taught me that while excelling at my job is important, how others perceive me and my visibility within the organization are even more crucial. Essentially, it’s not just about working hard, but also about working smart and being seen.

What advice would you give someone just starting out in a rail career? Early on, when the stakes are (likely) lowest, try as many things as possible so you have adequate information to assess your interests, strengths and weaknesses in various settings. This type of iterative approach is an excellent foundation for determining your optimal path.

In addition, broad experience allows you to have more options. Don’t be afraid to move. If your situation permits, and you are serious about advancement, it’s much easier to advance via that path. There is less competition, and there can be economic benefits.

Also, utilize the industry organizations to build your network and gain exposure to different parts of the industry.

What was your first job? I was a karate teacher at a summer camp.

Share a fun fact about yourself. I learned to golf out of spite. I got tired of being left out at rail-industry conferences years ago because I couldn't play. It was frustrating to miss out on opportunities to connect and learn from others in the industry. So, I took it upon myself to learn the game. I'm still not that great, but I understand it and love it. Golf has become one of my favorite ways to network and build relationships in the rail industry.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why? It would be Ray Dalio. His “Principles” is one of my all-time favorite books because of its profound insights into life and work. I believe that there are universal truths — or patterns— that apply to both business and life, and I love the way Dalio spells things out and makes these connections. His approach to decision-making, radical transparency, and creating meaningful relationships has deeply influenced my own professional and personal philosophy.

I admire how he built his company into one of the most successful hedge funds in the world through principles of integrity, accountability and continuous learning.

A dinner conversation with Ray Dalio would be an incredible opportunity to gain further insights into his thought processes and learn from his vast experience.

Who has had the most influence on your career? I’ve been blessed with an amazing support system as I’ve navigated my career. This includes my husband and family, who have always encouraged me to “go for it” and held me accountable when my professional convictions and actions weren’t aligning.

I’ve also been fortunate to have had some incredible bosses and industry mentors who poured into me, advocated for me and cared enough to correct and challenge me.

Describe a major obstacle in your career and how you surmounted it. It took me a long time to figure out exactly what I wanted to do within the industry. By the time I gained clarity — through exposure, understanding my strengths and identifying the type of work that energized me— I had accumulated significant experience in finance and accounting. This made it challenging to pivot without starting from scratch or taking a junior role.

I overcame this by deciding not to take another role unless it was exactly what I wanted. While I waited, I created my own opportunities within my current role to build the skills, relationships and exposure needed for my pivot. I looked at job descriptions for my dream roles, identified common themes and reverse-engineered my way to understanding what my gaps were. Then, I developed a plan to build the necessary skills to close those gaps. One of my strategies was to start attending events where I knew the type of people I wanted to work with or for would be.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the rail industry today? Talent remains the rail industry’s greatest challenge. Attracting, developing, and retaining skilled professionals are crucial for our growth and innovation. To address this, we must strengthen our collaboration across the rail ecosystem.

Significant efforts are needed to engage not only young and early-career professionals but also seasoned experts through dynamic career opportunities. It's imperative that we partner with academic institutions and initiate exposure from K-12 levels to cultivate a robust talent pipeline.

Moreover, we need to overcome the industry’s lingering image issues. By showcasing the vibrant opportunities and ongoing advancements, we can fortify our talent pipeline and build upon the existing foundations of our remarkable industry.