Allyship in Action: Danny Siem’s Approach to Leadership

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Danny Siem as its January 2026 Member of the Month. Siem is the Fuel Tax Manager at PACCAR Leasing Company. 

Siem has built his career around a simple principle: when people are supported, businesses perform better. That belief has shaped every role he has held at PACCAR, from recruiting talent to managing complex compliance work within the PacLease Division. While his responsibilities have evolved over time, his focus has remained steady on creating systems that work, developing people, and using his position to contribute to a more inclusive and forward moving trucking industry. 

Siem currently serves as Fuel Tax Manager, a role he has held for the past four years after spending two years as a corporate recruiter. Across six years with the company, he has gained a broad perspective of the organization and the industry as a whole. His career is marked not by headline moments or formal recognition, but by consistent, behind the scenes impact that helps teams succeed and opens doors for others. 

Entering the Industry and Finding Opportunity 

Siem did not begin his professional journey in trucking. Early in his career, he was drawn to manufacturing environments and initially worked in aerospace. What attracted him to PACCAR was the company’s reputation as a respected manufacturer, but once inside the organization, he quickly saw the broader scope of opportunity within trucking itself. The industry offered complexity, scale, and a chance to contribute in ways that went far beyond a single function. 

When Siem joined PACCAR as a corporate recruiter, he believed he would need to rebuild his professional network from the ground up. He was transitioning from a different industry and assumed that relationships he had built elsewhere would no longer apply. Instead, he discovered that strong networks are not limited by industry lines and skills, trust, and credibility travel with you. 

That realization shaped how he approached recruiting. Rather than focusing solely on rigid job descriptions or perfect resumes, Siem paid close attention to potential. He looked for qualities that would enable someone to succeed, even if their background did not follow a traditional path. One experience in particular left a lasting impression. 

While covering for a colleague who was out of the office, Siem stepped in to help fill an open role. Instead of adhering strictly to the prescribed candidate profile, he evaluated what the position truly required. He identified a candidate who might have otherwise been overlooked and encouraged them to consider the opportunity. Months later, that hire was thriving, and Siem continued to hear appreciation for helping bring them into the organization. His response was simple: “No need to thank me, it was all you.” 

The moment reinforced a lesson that has followed him throughout his career. Progress happens when someone is willing to see potential, and when another person is brave enough to take a chance on something unfamiliar. 

Growth Through Challenge and Reflection 

Like many professionals, Siem’s career has not been without challenges. Early on, he faced a difficult moment while working in a sales environment. He was managing a team of high performers who were exceeding expectations, yet his own individual sales numbers were falling short. The feedback was uncomfortable and humbling. 

Rather than reacting defensively, Siem chose to reflect. He reached out to mentors and peers, asked for guidance, and committed to improving his skills. He practiced sales conversations through role playing, applied feedback consistently, and adjusted his approach. Over time, his performance improved significantly. He became one of the top performers on his team, helped his location exceed its goals, and earned a promotion. 

That experience shaped how he approaches challenges today. It reinforced the importance of resilience, self-awareness, and seeking feedback rather than avoiding it. It also deepened his appreciation for leaders who invest time in developing others, especially during moments of difficulty. 

Making an Impact Behind the Scenes 

Siem’s transition into the PacLease Division marked a shift from people-focused recruiting work to highly technical compliance responsibilities. As Fuel Tax Manager, he supports franchises by ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in an area that is often complex and misunderstood. 

One of the most motivating aspects of his current role has been the opportunity to help evolve how work is done. When tasked with improving departmental efficiency, Siem took a thoughtful, collaborative approach. He identified opportunities for improvement and helped form project teams to implement meaningful solutions. These included the creation of a self-service reporting center, automation for data entry processes, and the elimination of an outdated GPS conversion tool. 

Seeing those changes implemented and knowing they made daily work easier for others has been deeply rewarding. For Siem, success is not measured only by completed projects, but by whether those projects improve the experience and effectiveness of the people involved. 

Although he has not received formal awards, he takes pride in watching teams succeed, projects move forward, and individuals he has supported grow into their roles. His impact is often quiet, but it is lasting. 

Leadership, Mentorship, and Allyship 

Throughout his career, Siem has been influenced by mentors who shaped how he thinks about leadership and professional conduct. A college professor who locked the classroom door at the start of class taught him that being on time is a sign of respect for others. A former leader introduced him to the value of talking through problems openly, inspired by the idea that voicing thoughts can turn challenges into collaborative discussions. Other mentors pushed him to continually ask why, helping him cut through distractions and focus on purpose. 

Beyond the workplace, Siem credits his wife, Vannary, as the person who has influenced him most. She provides grounding, motivation, and honest feedback that keeps him focused on what matters. 

That foundation has informed how Siem shows up as an ally, particularly within the trucking industry. He is an active member of the Women In Trucking Association and values the opportunity to learn from professionals across a wide range of roles. Being invited by leadership to join PACCAR’s coordinating group connected him with coworkers around the world and expanded his understanding of the organization. 

The Women In Trucking Accelerate! Conference & Expo has been a highlight of his involvement. Through it, he has met individuals he would not have otherwise crossed paths with, including women drivers working for companies his team supports. In 2025, Siem served on the “Stronger Together: How Male Allies Are Powering Progress for Women” panel discussion. Being recognized as a member of the month is especially meaningful to him and reinforces his commitment to paying it forward. 

For Siem, allyship is not performative. It is rooted in listening, amplifying voices that are not always heard, and using influence to help move the needle on inclusion. 

Motivation Rooted in Family and Balance 

While professional impact matters deeply to Siem, his motivation is equally shaped by his life outside of work and family plays a central role in how he defines success. Growing up, his parents owned a donut shop, and while they worked hard, family time was often limited. That experience shaped his desire to build a strong career without sacrificing balance. 

Today, his children are a constant source of motivation. Siem is intentional about leading by example, showing that professional success and family life can coexist. For his daughter, he makes a point of introducing her to women professionals so she can see firsthand that leadership and opportunity are not limited by gender. 

Travel has become an important way his family reconnects and resets. Keeping a trip on the calendar gives them something to look forward to and helps shift perspective after demanding days. It is a reminder that growth does not only happen at work. 

Looking Ahead 

In the near term, Siem’s professional goals center on continuing to improve efficiencies within his team while sharpening his leadership skills. He is focused on learning, listening, and supporting those around him. 

Looking five years ahead, he hopes to step into a larger role where he can influence and support a broader group of people. Whether through a director level position or program management role, his goal remains the same: to create environments where people can succeed and feel supported. 

Siem’s advice to women considering a career in trucking reflects the lessons he has learned firsthand: “Do not wait for the perfect time. Do not limit yourself based on job titles or perceived gaps. Apply, take chances, and trust that your skills are more transferable than you may realize. Hiring managers look for potential, experience, and coachability, not perfection.” 

Additionally, the best career advice Siem has received centers on how he shows up. Stay positive, because attitude opens doors. Prioritize face to face conversations whenever possible, because relationships are easier to build when people feel seen. And always be ready with a clear, confident elevator pitch, because meaningful connections often happen in unexpected moments. 

One mantra he returns to often is “It’s business, not personal.” That perspective helps him stay objective, focus on contribution, and navigate decisions with clarity rather than emotion. 

A Career Defined by Impact 

Perhaps the most surprising detail in Siem’s journey is that his relationship with PACCAR came full circle. He interviewed with the company straight out of college and did not get the job. More than fifteen years later, he returned, applied for a very different role, and was hired. The experience served as a reminder of how much growth can happen over time, and how persistence and curiosity can reshape opportunity. 

Recently, Siem completed another milestone by earning his MBA from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The program was fully online, and while he initially planned to attend graduation alone, his wife surprised him by turning it into a family vacation. Walking across the stage with his children in the audience was a moment of pride that captured what his journey has always been about. 

Siem’s career is not defined by a single title or achievement. It is defined by consistency, curiosity, and care. Through allyship, leadership, and a commitment to supporting others, he continues to help shape a trucking industry that is stronger, more inclusive, and better prepared for the future. 

Related Articles:

• Honoring the Heart of Trucking: Wanda Brooks' Path of Purpose
• Telling the Story of Trucking: Alicia Conner’s Digital Impact
• How Ericka Norfleet Found Freedom Behind the Wheel
• Building Something Great: Lauren Russell’s Career in Logistics
• Miles with Meaning: The Drive of Gina Jones
• Building Relationships, Fueling Change: Chelsea Faulkner’s Mission in Trucking and Life
  

Like this kind of content?

As a member of the Women In Trucking Association, stay on top of emerging trends and business issues impacting transportation and logistics; learn the importance of gender diversity in the workplace and the need for more women drivers; and see best practices in encouraging the employment of women in the trucking industry. Join today! Learn More