Established in 2017, the annual award is 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, they have a track record of breaking down barriers and helping to create industry opportunities for women.
The judging committee included Railroad Financial Corporation Senior Advisor Barbara Wilson, Gateway Development Commission Executive Vice President Catherine Rinaldi, and the Railway Age staff.
“Congratulations to this year’s distinguished group of women,” Railway Age Publisher Jonathan Chalon said. “Our 25 honorees, plus five selected for honorable mention, came from a strong field of nearly 100 nominations. We are proud that all 30 will be featured in Railway Age’s November 2025 issue and recognized at the 2026 Railway Age/RT&S Women in Rail Conference, to be held Oct. 6-7 at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg.”
“I am inspired by the incredible women recognized this year,” Barbara Wilson said. “Each of these women embodies the resilience, leadership, and vision that inspire others to aim higher and achieve more. It is exciting to celebrate the impact they are making—not just in business, but in their communities and beyond. Congratulations to all the winners. Thanks for reminding us what is possible when purpose meets determination.”
“This year’s honorees share not only a legacy of service to our industry, but also a commitment to sharing their knowledge and experience with the next generation of female railroaders,” Catherine Rinaldi commented. “They are an inspiration, and I would like to congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”
And the honorees are (in alphabetical order):
- Jeannie Alexander, Vice President, Rail Operations, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
- Zoe Bates, Manager Terminal Operations, Norfolk Southern
- Tina Beckberger, Chief Commercial Officer, American Industrial Transport (AITX)
- Christina Bottomley, Vice President, Business Development & Real Estate, CSX
- Tammy Butler, Vice President-General Counsel, CSX
- Andrea Dobbelmann, Chief Executive Officer, Progressive Rail Incorporated (Railway Age Honorable Mention, 20 Under 40 Program for 2021)
- Christine “Christie” Drabic, Vice President Global Program Management, Wabtec Corporation
- Sandra Ellis, Vice-President, Bulk, Sales and Marketing, CN
- Tania Fauchon, Americas Quality Director & Group Railway Safety Director, Alstom
- Rebekah Garner, Service Assurance Rail Support, Watco
- Arielle Giordano, Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc.
- Rebecca Gregory, Vice President Administration & Chief of Staff, Union Pacific Railroad
- Yvonne Hill-Donald, Chief Administrative Officer, MTA Metro-North Railroad
- Stephanie Kuntzman, Assistant Vice President, Consumer Products, BNSF Railway (Railway Age Honoree, 25 Under 40 Program for 2022)
- Maria Orcera, AVP, Revenue Accounting and Customer Service, Patriot Rail
- Cinthya Melissa Guillen Pinales, General Manager–Operations Centre (Monterrey), Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) (Railway Age Honoree, 25 Under 40 Program for 2024)
- Shelly Reid, Vice President Sales & Group Manager, The Greenbrier Companies
- Gaynor Ryan, Chief Human Resources Officer, Pinsly Railroad Company
- Lisa Schreibman, Acting Vice President & Chief Officer, MTA Staten Island Railway
- Shaquana Stephens, Acting Superintendent-Commuter Operations, Amtrak
- Beth Sullivan, Vice President Operations Support and Organizational Planning, MTA Long Island Rail Road
- Marcia Tauriella, Vice President Global Sourcing, A. Stucki Company
- Blaire Theuerkauf, Senior Counsel, Metra
- Michelle Wan, Vice President, Projects, Hitachi Rail
- Leah Windell, Customer Service Manager, Louisville & Indiana Railroad (an Anacostia Rail Holdings company)
Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order):
- Julina Corona, Project Manager, RailPros
- Drew Enochs, Director of Operations, Railroad Products and Services, Koppers
- Caitlin Holland, VP of Real Estate and Economic Development, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
- Celia Pfleckl, AVP, Amtrak Airo Program, Amtrak
- Micki Rust, Director, General Equipment, TTX Company
Previous Year Honorees:
- 2024 Women in Rail Honorees
- 2023 Women in Rail Honorees
- 2022 Women in Rail Honorees
- 2021 Women in Rail Honorees
- 2020 Women in Rail Honorees
- 2019 Women in Rail Honorees
- 2018 Women in Rail Honorees
- 2017 Women in Rail Honorees
And don’t miss the 2026 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail conference, to be held Oct. 6-7 at Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, Schaumburg, Ill. This is your opportunity to network with a diverse group of women and their allies as we discuss how railroaders can build leadership toolkits and strong support networks, partner with allies, and take advantage of ever-broadening career opportunities. Join us as the industry conversation continues with this expanded live event covering the freight, passenger and transit rail sectors! Bonus: A special luncheon will recognize the 2025 Railway Age Women in Rail and 2026 RT&S Women in Railroad Engineering honorees.
