The Women in Rail 2025 Conference, presented by Railway Age and RT&S, will feature a dynamic panel of executives, who will help you move forward in your current position or make a larger leap.
In this not-to-be-missed session, “Executive Edge: Branding, Negotiation and Presence,” the panelists will offer advice on how you can successfully market yourself—from developing an executive presence and asking for a raise to building a network, a skills portfolio, and your personal brand.
This is just one of many sessions scheduled for the third-annual in-person Women in Rail Conference, taking place in Chicagoland on Oct. 15-16. It will also include a celebratory luncheon for the Railway Age 2024 Women in Rail and RT&S 2025 Women in Railroad Engineering award honorees, and the chance to network with a wide-reaching group of like-minded professionals. All this will take place at a new, larger venue: the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg. Plus, don’t miss a special tour of Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) Bensenville Yard.
“I am truly honored to join this panel alongside such accomplished leaders for what promises to be a powerful and meaningful conversation. Branding, negotiation, and presence are essential tools that enable leaders to build confidence, lead with authenticity, and execute with impact. What excites me most is the opportunity to exchange stories and insights—there is incredible value in learning how other women in rail have navigated their leadership journeys. I believe this session will ignite confidence, foster connection, and inspire breakthrough moments—leaving attendees not only motivated but equipped with practical strategies to show up authentically and thrive.” – Ashley Nelson, Chief Human Resources Officer, AITX
Meet the Panel
Join us Oct. 15 to be part of a conversation with:
Anna Guzman, Vice President – HR Business Partner, Wabtec
Anna Guzman is a progressive human resources leader who builds trusting relationships to shape culture, facilitate change, influence behavior, and solve problems. She is passionate about fostering a culture of employees who are committed to driving positive change. Her skill set includes talent development, strategic organizational design, integration, executive coaching, and union/non-union leadership and M&A. Based in Chicago, Guzman began her HR career at GE Transportation on the HR Leadership Program (HRLP) and from there took on several roles of increasing responsibility, which included supporting operations, both union and non-union sites, services and equipment teams, as well as corporate functions. She joined Wabtec in 2019 as it merged a broad range of freight, transit, and electronics products with GE Transportation’s equipment, services, and digital solutions in the locomotive, mining, marine, stationary power, and drilling industries. Guzman’s current role as Vice President – HR Business Partner includes supporting the Digital Intelligence and Global Engineering Technology organizations.
Cherise Myers, Director of Workforce Development, American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
Cherise Myers joined APTA in 2023 with 20 years of experience in leadership development, program management, and executive team coaching. As the Director of Workforce Development at APTA, she engages members in strategies and solutions to attract, hire, train and engage our nation’s workforce in transportation careers. Myers worked in New York City for the nation’s largest transportation organization for 16 years. At a time when our country faces unprecedented workforce challenges, she taps into her experience to provide tools that fuel resiliency and solutions that maximize productivity. As an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Myers partners with executives and teams around the nation to align them with their mission and accomplish KPI’s (Key Purpose Indicators) to drive performance. She also manages proposals and contracts while leading teams in designing interactive workshops, staff retreats, global summits, international conferences, and coaching experiences to accelerate learning and upskill teams. Myers has a broad range of experience and certifications in the areas of change management, asset management, leadership development, team building, employee engagement, and more. She is also a keynote speaker who inspires executives, managers, supervisors, and essential workers to thrive in our industry’s “new norm.”
Ashley Nelson, Chief Human Resources Officer, AITX
Ashley Nelson is an innovative, results driven leader. As the Chief Human Resources Officer at American Industrial Transport – AITX, she supports domestic and global business initiatives by executing people-focused programs and practices to achieve the organization’s goals. She is dedicated to modernizing and transforming the HR function which is fueled by her passion of continuous improvement and influencing organizational change. Nelson has nearly two decades of HR experience in the rail and manufacturing industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University, a master’s degree from Lindenwood University, is PHR and SHRM-CP certified, and recently received her certificate in Executive Compensation from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Nelson serves on multiple Board of Directors including: HR Executive Network of Greater St. Louis as their Membership Director, the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce and Industries as the 2024 immediate past Board Chair, and HavenHouse St. Louis as their Vice President. Last year, she became a No. 1 International Best-Selling Author.
Kari Wagner, Vice President Commercial Strategy, The Greenbrier Companies
Kari Wagner is the Vice President of Commercial Strategy at The Greenbrier Companies, where she brings a fresh perspective and bold energy to the rail industry. She joined the company in August 2021, following a successful 25-year career leading commercial and strategic initiatives in the medical device sector. Wagner is passionate about delivering innovative and valued railcar products and services to customers. She serves on the RailPulse Board, helping to shape the future of rail telematics, and plays a key role in driving Greenbrier’s strategic plan. She also founded Greenbrier’s Women’s Leadership Group, driven by the belief that the future of leadership won’t be defined by gender—just by excellence. Wagner holds a degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, an MBA from the University of Oregon, and a PhD in Working Mom Management—a credential she wears with pride and a sense of humor having survived those years.
About Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail 2025
These “Executive Edge: Branding, Negotiation and Presence” panelists will be joined at the 2025 Women in Rail Conference by a diverse group of railroaders with a shared commitment to our industry’s future. Among them: Annie Adams, Chief Human Resources Officer, Norfolk Southern; Jennifer Hamann, EVP & Chief Financial Officer, Union Pacific; Sarah Watterson, President, Brightline West; Jenni Benton, SVP Commercial, Patriot Rail; Vianey De la Mora, Director General, Mexican Railway Association (AMF); Kari Gonzales, President & CEO, MxV Rail; Henrika Buchanan, SVP, National Practice Consultant, Transit & Rail Market Sector, HNTB; Paul Hubler, Chief Strategy Officer, Metrolink; and many more.
Speakers will offer their candid thoughts on topics ranging from marketing yourself to ESG and new technologies.
Supporting Organizations
Industry support for the 2025 Women in Rail Conference is already strong, including sponsorship from: AITX, GATX, TrinityRail, CN, CPKC, RailPros, R. J. Corman, API, Genesee & Wyoming, The Greenbrier Companies, UTLX, Progress Rail, Patriot Rail, Union Pacific, The National Association of Railway Business Women, and The League of Railway Women.
Learn More
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Chalon at jchalon@sbpub.com or (212) 620-7224.
View the agenda and confirmed speakers for Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail 2025 >>
Don’t Forget
Through Oct. 2, Railway Age is accepting nominations for its 2025 Women in Rail Awards program, which will honor 25 trailblazers for their achievements in our November issue and at the 2026 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference. 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 Barbara Wilson, Senior Advisor at Railroad Financial Corporation, and Catherine Rinaldi, Executive Vice President of Gateway Development Commission, with input from the Railway Age staff. Both Wilson and Rinaldi will participate at the 2025 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference.
