Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures are returning to Chicago for our second-annual in-person Women in Rail Conference featuring trailblazing women and their allies who are significantly influencing today’s freight, passenger and transit rail industry. After selling out in 2023, we have expanded this important event to two days—filled with instructive panels covering everything from mentorship to advancing current skillsets so they match evolving technologies, an awards luncheon and a Metra tour.
Join the conversation with leaders Beth Whited of Union Pacific, Jennifer Homendy of the National Transportation Safety Board, Brandy Christian of Patriot Rail, India L. Birdsong Terry of Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, Karen J. Hedlund of the Surface Transportation Board, Michael Miller of Genesee & Wyoming, and many more.
Program Highlights
Presented Nov. 5-6 at the Union League Club of Chicago, the 2024 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference is once again bringing together a diverse group of railroaders with a shared commitment to our industry’s future. Enjoy networking opportunities and participate in key discussions—from how to maintain the momentum of inclusion to building strong support networks and taking advantage of ever-broadening career opportunities.
Program highlights include:
- Furthering industry inclusivity and showing allyship.
- Advancing your career—from asking for a raise to developing new skills.
- Understanding the latest regulatory and legislative happenings.
- New tech innovations and the latest applications.
- How mentorship can change your professional journey.
- Building a safety culture within your organization.
Speakers will engage in informal “fireside chat” style conversations, offering their candid thoughts on each subject.
Women in Rail Awards
Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures have recognized the growth in leadership and engineering roles for women railroaders since 2017 and 2021, respectively, with Railway Age’s Women in Rail and RT&S’ Women in Railroad Engineering awards. This year, we are honored to present Railway Age’s 2023 and RT&S’ 2024 awards during a special Nov. 5 luncheon.
Many of this year’s, and prior-year winners, will also participate in 2024 conference panels, offering industry insights and discussing their career journeys. Don’t miss Ronnie Hakim, Senior Vice President, National Transit and Rail Market Sector Leader, HNTB Corp.; Josie Curtis, Vice President, People Services, R. J. Corman Railroad Group; Michelle Bouchard, Executive Director, Caltrain; Sonia Bot, Chief Executive, The BOT Consulting Group Inc.; Mary Carlson Bis, Assistant Vice President, Response & Resilience, Emergency Management Division, Safety & Security Department, Amtrak; Paula Taylor, Assistant Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers, Metra; Nao Nishio, Manager of Engineering Technology, Brightline; LaShelle Pearson, Business Development Manager RCSC, CN; Evelyn Hawkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, IKJ Enterprises; Jacqueline L. Patterson, Co-founder and Vice President of Zephyr UAS, Inc.; and Sara Johnson, General Manager, Chicago Division, BNSF.
Metra Tour
In addition to top educational sessions and the celebratory awards luncheon, attendees of the Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference will have the opportunity to tour Metra’s 47th/49th Street facilities, which house the Chicagoland agency’s in-house railcar and locomotive rehab programs. As part of the tour, participants will visit Metra’s modern classroom space; workshop and welding training areas for Mechanical Department apprentice programs; and the 47th Street Diesel Shop.
Supporting Organizations
Industry support for the Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference is already strong, including sponsorship and promotional partnerships with: TrinityRail (platinum), RailWorks (cocktail reception), CSX (gold), R. J. Corman (registration), Amsted Digital Solutions (bronze), Genesee & Wyoming (bronze), Union Pacific (morning coffee break), Edna A. Rice Executive Recruiters, Inc. (morning coffee break), The National Association of Railway Business Women, and The League of Railway Women.
Learn More
- View the full program and register for Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail 2024.
- To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Chalon at jchalon@sbpub.com or (212) 620-7224. View the sponsorship kit>>
Don’t Forget!
Through Oct. 1, Railway Age is accepting nominations for its 2024 Women in Rail Awards program, which will honor 20 trailblazers for their achievements in our November issue. These outstanding railroaders will be selected based on their leadership, vision, innovation and accomplishments. This award celebrates female leaders in rail and pioneers with a track record of breaking down barriers and helping to create industry opportunities for women. Entries will be judged by KellyAnne Gallagher, CEO of the Commuter Rail Coalition, and Barbara Wilson, Senior Advisor at Railroad Financial Corporation—both of whom will participate as session speakers and moderators at the Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference.
Submit your nomination now>>
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