The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) and Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) are seeking nominations for the 2024 Influential Woman in Trucking award. 

The award was created in 2010 to honor women in the transportation industry who make or influence key decisions in a corporate, manufacturing, supplier, owner-operator, driver, sales, or dealership setting. Nominees must also have a proven record of responsibility, mentorship, and serve as a role model to other women in the industry.

A Celebration of Women in Trucking

Women In Trucking Association is a nonprofit association established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry.

Membership is not limited to women, as 17 percent of its members are men who support the mission.

Women In Trucking is supported by its members and the generosity of Gold Level Partners: Arrow Truck Sales, Bridgestone Americas, Daimler Truck North America, FedEx Freight, Great Dane, J.B. Hunt Transport, Michelin North America, Navistar International, Inc., Paccar, Penske Transportation Solutions, Ryder System, Walmart, and WM.

“Celebrating the successes of women in the transportation profession is a key part of the mission of Women in Trucking,” said Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO of WIT. “It’s an honor each year to share the stories and successes through this award.”

Nominations will be accepted through September 11 at https://witawards.secure-platform.com/site  

“The Influential Woman in Trucking award highlights the incredible contributions of women in our industry and aligns with our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce,” said Angela Lentz, Chief People Officer at DTNA. “We have seen the representation of women in the truck industry grow at all levels, from the driver’s seat to the C-suite, and we believe that by celebrating the accomplishments of women in trucking, we can continue to drive positive change and innovation in our industry.”

WiT’s Roll of Honor

Past recipients of the Influential Woman in Trucking award include: 

• 2023 - Shelley Simpson, president, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

• 2022 - Trina Norman, Southern California feeder operations manager, UPS

• 2021 - Lily Ley, vice president and chief information officer, PACCAR

• 2020 - Kristy Knichel, president, Knichel Logistics, and Jodie Teuton, co-founder, Kenworth of Louisiana

• 2019 - Ruth Lopez, director, transportation management, Ryder System, Inc.

• 2018 - Angela Eliacostas, founder and CEO, AGT Global Logistics

• 2017 - Daphne Jefferson, principal and executive coach, Jefferson Consulting Group, LLC (former Deputy Administrator, FMCSA)

• 2016 - Ramona Hood, president and CEO, FedEx Custom Critical

• 2015 - Kari Rihm, president, Rihm Kenworth

• 2014 - Marcia Taylor, CEO, Bennett International Group

• 2013 - Rebecca Brewster, president & COO, American Transportation Research Institute

• 2012 - Joyce Brenny, president, Brenny Transportation, Inc./Brenny Specialized, Inc.

• 2011 - Rochelle Bartholomew, CEO, CalArk International

The winner will be announced at the WIT Accelerate! Conference & Expo held in Dallas, Texas, November 10-13, 2024.

Each finalist will be asked to serve as a panelist for the coffee chat discussion on November 12. The winner will receive a two-hour virtual coaching session with keynote speaker Ankha Marza prior to the Accelerate! Conference & Expo.

Related: Women are Better Truck Drivers Than Men