Today’s professional journey is about more than doing a job well. AI-based candidate selection, social media prevalence, and revised work/life balance expectations are just a few of the elements to take into consideration as you advance your career.
The Women in Rail Conference, presented by Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures, returns to Chicago in 2024. After selling out last year, we have expanded this important event to two days—Nov. 5-6—filled with instructive panels covering everything from mentorship to advancing current skillsets so they match evolving technologies, an awards luncheon, and a Metra tour. Sign up early and save! Early bird registration rates end Sept. 6.
Advancing Your Career Panel
Join us on Nov. 5 to be part of a conversation with Dyamond Scales, Director of Talent Acquisition, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA); Amanda Miller, Vice President of Total Rewards, Trinity Industries; Josie Curtis, Vice President, People Services, R.J. Corman Railroad Group; Michelle Mullen, Vice President, Total Rewards, CSX; and Monique Ferguson Stewart, Senior Advisor, Office of Regional Services, Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The panel will be moderated by Corina Moore, Executive Vice President for Transportation and Infrastructure, WSP.
Whether you want to move forward in your current position or make a larger leap, our panelists will have advice. They’ll cover asking for a raise, building your skills portfolio, leveraging in-person and online networks, supporting employee mental health and so much more.
“There has been meaningful progress towards empowering women in the workplace; however, there are still significant barriers to career advancement,” says Moore. “During this panel, you will hear strategic advice from women who have climbed the corporate ladder and who have learned techniques to help you overcome obstacles.”
“Some are corporate related, but many are within your control, such as lack of confidence, allyship, and work-life balance. The perspectives shared from this group of experienced female executives will increase your success rate for promotions, allow you to work smarter and with greater happiness, as well as drive results more effectively.”
Since Jan. 25, 2024, Corina Moore has been serving as WSP’s Executive Vice President for Transportation and Infrastructure in the firm’s downtown Toronto office. Previously, Moore, a province native, spent 17 years with Ontario Northland, joining the company in 2005 as its Director of Telecommunications. She held multiple senior leadership positions, including Chief Operations Officer, eventually being named President and CEO in 2014–the first female president of a major Canadian railway. Moore led several strategic initiatives during that time, including Moving Forward, a program designed to “improve efficiency, grow revenues and promote the value of ONR’s transportation expertise, to successfully revitalize the organization.” In 2017, Moore was named as one of Railway Age’s first Women in Rail award honorees. She was the first woman ever to appear on the cover of Railway Age as part of our inaugural Women in Rail awards.
Meet the Panel
Dyamond Scales currently serves as the Director, Talent Acquisition for the Chicago Transit Authority. Her love for people and problem solving led her to a career in Human Resources. Scales has more than 15 years of operational HR experience, eight of which have been spent in the sports and transit industries. Her humble beginnings living in foster homes gave her the motivation to become a first-generation college graduate. At a young age, she understood dedication and hard work. Scales earned her bachelor’s degree from Miami University, Ohio, and an MBA from Columbia Southern University. She is a proud mom of two daughters, one is a junior at University of Illinois Chicago and the other happens to be a six-month-old poodle.
Amanda Miller is a seasoned HR executive, currently with Trinity Industries. She has a proven track record in driving strategic compensation and benefits programs, implementing advanced HR technologies, and leading transformational change within organizations. Miller has a robust background in aligning HR initiatives with broader organizational goals to attract, retain, engage, and motivate talent. Her expertise spans across compensation strategy, benefits design, executive compensation, HR systems & analytics, talent acquisition and leading M&A HR activities.
With 25 years of human resources experience, Josie Curtis has a vast knowledge of best practices for training, onboarding, counseling, and labor laws, and specializes in recruiting. Since joining R. J. Corman in 2008, she has restructured the People Services department, instituting clear points of contact for all HR-related matters, and contributing to the growth of the company. Curtis leads a 15-member team and has built a robust work culture, supporting career development and serving as a mentor. She is dedicated to advocating respectful and fair treatment and equal pay and opportunities for women. Curtis’s ability to build strong relationships with management, employees, industry peers, and customers is an asset, and she helped R. J. Corman navigate the COVID-19 pandemic successfully, leading the development of new policies and procedures and ensuring compliance and employee support.
Michelle Mullen is the Vice President of Total Rewards, Medical, and People Systems at CSX. In this role, she leads a team of highly qualified Human Resources and Medical professionals, overseeing the strategy, implementation, and administration of executive compensation, HR shared services, medical and occupational safety programs, and people systems. Since joining CSX in 2009, Mullen has held several pivotal roles. She previously served as the Head of Total Rewards, where she managed the entire spectrum of compensation and benefits for the company. Additionally, she has been the Director of Talent Acquisition and HR Business Partner, leading hiring processes and strategically partnering with the Law and Public Affairs team to meet their HR needs.
Monique Ferguson Stewart has more than 30 years of extensive experience in the railroad industry, beginning her career as a Management Trainee at CSX Transportation. Her journey at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has seen her excel in various roles, including Mechanical Engineer, Workforce Development Program Lead, and Special Assistant to the FRA Administrator. Ferguson Stewart has spearheaded critical research projects on Rolling Stock Equipment and Components (RSEC), focusing on the safety of very long train operations and components such as brakes, wheels, and roller bearings. Ferguson Stewart’s career also includes significant contributions to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation Departmental Office of Civil Rights, where she served as DOT’s HBCU Coordinator, managing the implementation of President Biden’s Executive Order on HBCUs. She was appointed by the Secretary to represent DOT on the White House Initiative for HBCUs. In her most recent role as Senior Advisor at the Federal Transit Administration’s Office of Regional Services, Ferguson Stewart has been instrumental in enhancing communication and operational efficiency across FTA’s regional offices. Ferguson Stewart’s dedication to STEM education is evident in her outreach efforts, where she inspires students to explore careers in STEM and transportation. Through her leadership, she has not only advanced the mission of USDOT, but also nurtured the next generation of transportation professionals. In 2021, Ferguson Stewart received a Railway Age Women in Rail Award.
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 >>
