October 18, 2022
News

Railway Age Announces 2022 Women in Rail Honorees

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor

(Shutterstock/ Rawpixel.com)

Railway Age’s 2022 Women in Rail awards program recognizes 23 leaders—from senior management to agreement employees—who are driving change and paving the way for the next generation of railroaders.

Established in 2017, the annual awards are presented to railway industry women in the United States, Canada and/or Mexico for their outstanding leadership, vision, innovation, community service involvement, and accomplishments. In an industry typically dominated by men, their professionalism and hard work set an example for many.

“This year’s honorees were drawn from a pool of more than 100 applicants—our most yet,” Railway Age Publisher Jonathan Chalon said. “These distinguished women are making their mark in the freight, passenger, government and supplier sectors with a commitment to service, safety and sustainability.” In addition to the 23 honorees, five women received honorable mention in 2022. All will be featured in Railway Age’s November 2022 issue.

The judges for the sixth annual awards were veteran railroad executive Barbara Wilson and Commuter Rail Coalition CEO KellyAnne Gallagher, with input from the Railway Age staff.

***The judges: Barbara Wilson, former President and CEO, RailUSA LLC (left); and KellyAnne Gallagher, CEO, Commuter Rail Coalition.***

And the honorees are (in alphabetical order):

Maeghan Albiston, Vice President, Capital Markets, Canadian Pacific (Women in Rail honorable mention in 2019)
Mary Carlson Bis, Senior Director, Emergency Management, Amtrak
Anamaria Bonilla, Deputy Chief Engineer-Structures, MTA Metro-North Railroad
Carrie Donchez, Yardmaster, Norfolk Southern
Shannon Drown, Assistant Vice President of Commercial Development, Railroads, R.J. Corman Railroad Group
Alicia Hammersmith, Vice President of Operations, Transit, Wabtec Corporation
Karen Hankinson, Vice President and Senior Project Manager, RailPros
Evelyn Hawkins, President and CEO, JKEI Management LLC
Jodi Heath, Regional Vice President-Eastern Division, Patriot Rail
Jillian Krupko, Director-Operations Strategy and Analytics, TTX
Kate Luce, President and CEO, Mississippi Export Railroad
Tracy MacPhee, Vice President of Passenger Rail and Motor Coach, Ontario Northland
Staci Moody-Gilbert, Vice President, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Sandra Ocaña, Purchasing and Logistics Manager, The Greenbrier Companies
Jacqueline L. Patterson, Vice President, Zephyr UAS, Inc.
Debra Ross, AVP, Talent Management, BNSF Railway
Paige Raulerson, Manager, Dispute Resolution, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc.
Krimhilda Edith Rodriguez Silva, Director, Health and Safety, Kansas City Southern de Mexico
Katie Sanders, Assistant Vice President Operations Technology, Union Pacific
CleLeatha Shaw, Manager-Crew Management, Metra
Elizabeth Smith, Chief of Staff, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
Tomeka Watson-Bryant, General Manager, New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
Angie Williams, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, CSX

Honorable Mention:

Cathy Campbell-Wilson, Senior Vice President, Parsons Corporation
Dejah Singh, Project Warranty Manager, Alstom
Meredith Slesinger, Rail and Transit Administrator, Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Kathleen Smith, Vice President, Business Development and Real Estate, Norfolk Southern
Alanna Strohecker, Vice President, Global Goods Movement Director, AECOM