How to Create Critical Ally Relationships for Drivers

Jenny has more than 20 years of experience in employee communications with 8+ years in the transportation industry, managing engagement and enrichment programs for a carrier based in Findlay, OH. Prior to joining Women in Trucking, Jenny was responsible for the development of several driver focused incentive programs with a focus on maximizing the opportunities available to drivers across the industry. In addition, she managed the Learning Management training program for the fleet as well as the administrative side for the Safety Department, all while gaining understanding of general ELD and regulatory policies specific to driver safety.    

Jenny earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from The University of Toledo. Raised in Northwest Ohio, she currently resides in Findlay, Ohio and has three children.

Carol Nixon is a professional truck driver with over 30 years of experience. She has driven for Walmart for nearly 10 years hauling general freight. Her work schedule is typically 5 days on and 2 days off. She is a certified driver trainer (CDT) since February 2019 through NATMI and teaches Walmart’s safety course which is close quarter maneuvering and pre-trips at their Bentonville, AR warehouse since September 2021.

Carol has won many awards from Walmart for MOST Inspirational and Safety every year employed. She was also nominated and chosen for the TA Petro Citizens Driver Award in 2018, having a TA truck stop named after her in North Bend, Washington.

She gives back to her community by having been a Living Organ Donor to a fellow driver’s spouse (Kidney) and by volunteering overnights when available at Safe to Sleep Women’s Shelter.

Jodi Edwards has been a CDL-A truck driver with J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. for more than 24 years, during which she has driven nearly 2 million miles collision-free. Throughout her career, Jodi has exemplified a passion for safety and professionalism and is an encouraging advocate for women entering the transportation industry.

Among her many accomplishments, she has been named Driver of the Year for her region, was awarded the J.B. Hunt Million Mile Award for driving 1 million safe miles and has received 18 years (and counting) of consecutive safe driving awards at J.B. Hunt.

Jodi has been a Smith System® certified instructor for nearly 10 years and has been a driver trainer at J.B. Hunt for more than 20 years, where she continues to share her wisdom and experience while driving with J.B. Hunt’s intermodal division.

As a member of the Women in Trucking Image Team, Jodi has been recognized nationally for her professional achievements, being interviewed for industry publications as well as sharing her thoughts live on the Sirius XM® radio show “Road Dog Trucking.” Jodi is a cherished member of the J.B. Hunt family and an important voice and ally for women throughout the transportation industry.

Kellylynn McLaughlin was the Women In Trucking Association’s first Driver Ambassador. In this role, she traveled around the country educating those she met about the importance of the transportation industry and shares some of the challenges drivers face within the industry. She is currently a professional driver for Prime LTD.

Before she got in the driver’s seat, Kellylynn received a degree from the Oklahoma State University, served in the Peace Corps, worked internationally for a non-for-profit organization and was a professional instructor in passenger safety. It was as the Director of Logistics at a high school marching band that she discovered she loved everything about driving a truck and the problem solving it entailed.

Kellylynn is passionate about the trucking industry and is a tireless advocate for professional drivers. In addition to training new drivers to prepare them for the challenges they will face, she is also actively involved in sharing the “driver” perspective with decision makers in the industry. She firmly believes the general public should be educated about how important truck drivers are to the American economy and seeks to raise awareness about ways to support CMV drivers to do their jobs safely through her role as the Driver Ambassador.

She serves on the FMCSA MCSAC Commercial Driver Panel, the Advisory Council for Truckers Against Trafficking, and was honored to be a participant in the Executive Office of the President’s Gender Policy Council Roundtable Discussion in January 2022 and a finalist for the 2019 WIT Influential Woman in Trucking Award. Kellylynn currently serving as a member of both the Central & North Texas Freight Advisory Committee and the North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO).

KayLeigh McCall is a Driver Training Engineer for Schneider National and has 7 years of commercial motor vehicle experience. She started her driving career as a school bus driver in Evans County, Georgia. After 2 years with the school system she went on to get her Class A license and work for 3 years at Evans Concrete as a mixer truck and tanker driver. 

KayLeigh began her career at Schneider as a Regional Van Truck Load driver. She delivered to the eastern 24 states while in this position. Now, she is a dedicated port drayage driver with Schneider. She enjoys a Monday-Friday schedule on this account.

In 2021, KayLeigh was named the Featured Female Driver for Schneider. This role has allowed her to be a voice and for current and future female drivers. As the Featured Female Driver, she was invited to speak about the Driver Experience during Schneider’s 2021 Customer Advisory Event.

As a native of Claxton, Georgia, KayLeigh enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and pastry chef for 10 years. She currently resides there with her husband and four children.