The Women in Rail 2025 Conference, presented by Railway Age and RT&S, will feature a panel of railroaders covering how having a background in the military adds to their success in leadership roles across the freight and passenger rail industry. These panelists will speak to hiring practices, talent development for veterans, and more.
“Railroading’s Heroes” is one of many dynamic 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’m excited to see the incredible range of perspectives and experiences other leaders bring to the rail industry. I’m really looking forward to hearing stories of leadership, innovation and resilience of those who pave the way for the next generation. – Quilesha Hodges, BNSF
Meet ‘Railroading’s Heroes’
Moderator: James T. Riley, President, Railway Supply Institute
James T. Riley will moderate this “fireside chat” on how veterans play a key role in the railroad industry. Since March 2025, he has served as President of the Railway Supply Institute after spending more than 20 years in the trade association sector. Previously, Riley served as Interim President and CEO at the National Waste & Recycling Association and Senior Director of Government Affairs at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. In these roles, he has advanced industry advocacy and played a part in supporting key legislation. For his efforts, Riley was awarded the American Society of Association Executives’ 2021 Summit Award for Advocacy.
Jean Savage, CEO and President, Trinity Industries, Inc.
Jean Savage has served as CEO and President of Trinity Industries, Inc., since February 2020 and on its Board of Directors since 2018. A U.S. Army veteran, Savage served for nine years as an Army Reserve Intelligence Officer. In this fireside chat, Savage will speak to her experiences as a veteran and her career in operations and engineering.
Currently, Savage sits on the board of many organizations, including Parker Hannifin, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, and the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, as well as the Texas A&M University Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMT) External Advisory Committee. Previously, Savage held many manufacturing and engineering positions at Parker Hannifin Corporation and served as Vice President of the Surface Mining & Technology Division of Caterpillar Inc.
Quilesha Hodges, Asst. Terminal Superintendent, Women’s Network Mentorship Chair, BNSF
Quilesha Hodges spent 14 years in the U.S. Navy and joined BNSF through the Experienced First Line Supervisor program in May 2011. She worked in BNSF’s Mechanical shop in California where she oversaw 35 employees in locomotive maintenance. Soon after, she was promoted to a terminal trainmaster position in San Bernadino to work in overseeing terminal operations. Now, Hodges is assistant superintendent at Phoenix/Glendale/El Mirage, Ariz.
Hodges is serving a 2nd term as the Mentorship Chair for the BNSF Women’s Network where she supports the growth and advancement of men and women across the organization.
In the Railroading Hero’s session, I hope to address the importance of leading with both vision and empathy. Taking a deep dive into how the best leaders not only drive for results but also create a culture where people feel valued and empowered. – Quilesha Hodges, BNSF
Jim Derwinski, CEO and Executive Director, Metra
Jim Derwinski spent six years in the U.S. Navy as an electrician in America’s nuclear submarine fleet. In 1993, he began his career in rail with Chicago & North Western Railroad. Now, Derwinski leads Metra as its CEO and Executive Director where he oversees transportation initiatives including updating its fleet of railcars, increasing transit affordability and accessibility, and contracting to deliver the first all-battery passenger equipment in the U.S.
Derwinski is an advocate of public transportation, serving on the American Public Transportation Association Board of Directors, the MxV Rail Board of Directors, and the Passenger Rail Advisory Committee for the Surface Transportation Board, and is Chairman of the Illinois High Speed Rail Commission. Derwinski is also a founder of the Commuter Rail Coalition and was named one of Railway Age’s “Influential Leaders” in 2021.
Herman E. Crosson, Chief Safety and Compliance Officer, Anacostia Rail Holdings
With more than 35 years of military service and 26 years of rail industry experience, Herman Crosson brings his expertise to this “fireside chat.” In May 2022, Crosson joined Anacostia Rail Holdings as its Chief Safety and Compliance Officer.
Before retiring from the service, he served as the Brigade Commander of the 59th Troop Command Brigade, South Carolina National Guard. He holds a BS from Excelsior College, an MBA from Liberty University, and an MSS from US Army War College. Crosson has held various positions with CSX and Patriot Rail Company as VP of Safety, Training, and Regulatory. He received the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) Safety Professional of the Year award in 2021 and 2025 and serves on the association’s Environmental Committee and as Chairman of its Sustainability Sub-Committee.
About Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail 2025
These “Railroading’s Heroes” 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; Cherise Myers, Director-Workforce Development, American Public Transportation Association (APTA); 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.
As a reminder, the last chance for early bird rates is August 15th!
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.
