by Women In Trucking Staff, on Nov 03, 2026
From a 19-year-old driving a hot-pink Western Star truck to a former corporate professional who traded spreadsheets for an 18-wheeler, four women proved there's no single road to a rewarding career professional truck driving.
During the “Ask the Driver: Real Conversations with the WIT Image Team” session at the Women In Trucking Association's 2026 Accelerate! Conference & Expo, four professional drivers shared candid HERstories, memorable experiences and practical advice about building successful careers behind the wheel.
The conversation featured Kellylynn McLaughlin of Clean Harbors, Jenna Walker of Walker Sand & Stone, Jo Lynn Kelly of Walmart, and Shawnta Wortham of Boyle Transportation.
Kellylynn McLaughlin: Find Your Community and Protect Your Well-Being
For more than a decade, Kellylynn McLaughlin has navigated a demanding career transporting hazardous materials throughout the United States and Canada for Clean Harbors.
Much of her work involves wearing protective suits and respirators—hardly the typical image of someone simply sitting behind a steering wheel.
McLaughlin emphasized that professional driving involves extensive responsibilities beyond operating equipment, including safety training, regulatory compliance and physically demanding work.
She also spoke candidly about trucking's challenges, particularly the difficulty of maintaining physical and mental health in a stressful profession. Her advice: Recognize those challenges, prioritize your well-being and connect with people who understand life on the road.
Before she got in the driver’s seat, McLaughlin received a degree from Oklahoma State University, served in the Peace Corps, worked internationally for a not-for-profit organization, and was a professional instructor in passenger safety.
She is passionate about the trucking industry’s role in our nation’s supply chain and is a tireless advocate for professional drivers. McLaughlin has a demonstrated history of working collaboratively “to be part of the solution.” She has served as a valuable voice for women through sharing the driver perspective with decision makers in the industry, extensive interviews, presentations, social media avenues, and various industry committee appointments.
She is proud to have served in the following capacities:
- Women In Trucking Association Image Team
- FMCSA Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment (SASH) Study Consultant
- FMCSA Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB)
- Travel Centers of America Women’s Safety Advisory Panel
- Office of the President’s Gender Policy Council Roundtable Discussion
- Truckers Against Trafficking Advisory Council
- WIT’s First Driver Ambassador
- MCSAC Commercial Driver Sub-Committee Panel
- Central & North Texas Regional Freight Advisory Committee
- WIT 2019 Influential Woman in Trucking Award Finalist
McLaughlin credits her involvement with WIT's Image Team for connecting her with other women and supporting her professional growth.
Jenna Walker: Let Your Actions Challenge Stereotypes
At just 19, Jenna Walker is already making a colorful impression on trucking. Her hot-pink Western Star truck is difficult to miss, and it was featured in this year’s Accelerate! Truck and Technology Tour. But it's her determination, confidence and enthusiasm that make her young story memorable.
Walker is a third-generation member of her family’s trucking business, Walker Sand & Stone. She grew up around trucks and the transportation industry, so trucking has always been a huge part of her life. She earned her Class A CDL at 18, and now spends her time both behind the wheel and working within the family business. She has hauled heavy loads and has embraced opportunities that some might assume are beyond a young woman's capabilities. Her greatest supporter? Her father.
"He's never told me I can't do something because I'm a girl," Walker explains.
Walker also manages marketing and social media for the family business, using TikTok and Instagram to show what life behind the wheel really looks like. Rather than arguing with people who question whether women belong in trucking—whether on social media or in-person—she lets her work speak for itself.
"I just show it," she says.
Her advice to young women: Don't let your age, your gender, or other people's expectations determine what you're capable of accomplishing.
Jo Lynn Kelly: It's Never Too Late to Change Careers
Jo Lynn Kelly has always loved driving. As a little girl, she would sit in the back seat of the family car holding a Frisbee, pretending it was a steering wheel. But her journey into trucking took a few detours.
After careers in professional photography, including owning her own studio, and corporate project accounting, Kelly decided to pursue something entirely different. Fast-forward seven years later, she has driven through all 48 contiguous states, spent three years with Schneider, and now drives regionally for Walmart's private fleet. When asked how she accomplished 600,000 safe miles, she smiles and says, "I may drive an 18-wheeler, but God is in charge of that 19th wheel!" She is referring to the steering wheel.
Her biggest lesson? Professional driving requires as much mental discipline as physical skill.
Kelly reminded attendees that professional drivers must constantly anticipate the unpredictable behavior of other motorists, remain calm and take responsibility for safely navigating the road.
She also shared a practical example of taking initiative. While at Schneider, she arranged to spend time with dispatchers, fuel specialists and maintenance teams to better understand their responsibilities. Her advice: Build relationships with the people supporting your work. Understanding their challenges makes everyone more effective.
Shawnta Wortham: Build Your Career — and Help Others Build Theirs
Shawnta Wortham's trucking career demonstrates what initiative and an entrepreneurial mindset can accomplish. She began pursuing her passion for trucking in 2017, earning her CDL through Prime Inc.'s training program and launching her career as a Highway Diamond lease operator. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to safety and professionalism, earning a Driver Safety Award as a Landstar Ranger.
Today, she serves as a Critical Cargo Specialist and driver mentor with Boyle Transportation.
Wortham credits much of her success to people who helped her along the way, including experienced drivers and a female trainer named Danielle. She calls these mentors her "angels," people who appeared in her life at just the right moments. Now she's returning the favor by helping other women explore trucking careers.
Her practical advice? Do your homework. Research prospective employers, talk with recruiters, visit facilities and explore training programs before committing.
Wortham also emphasized that safety begins with three fundamentals: Awareness, precautions, and responsibilities.
Four Stories, One Powerful Message
Although the backgrounds and driving experiences of these four professional truck drivers differ considerably, these women share a commitment to safety, professional development and helping others succeed.
Their experiences offer an important reminder: There's no single path into trucking, no age limit on pursuing new opportunities, and no substitute for confidence, preparation and supportive relationships.
And sometimes, the best way to inspire the next generation is simply to climb behind the wheel and show them what's possible.
Related Articles:
- Meet the Women In Trucking Image Team
- WIT Announces Image Team Class of 2026
- New Video Interview Series Launches Featuring Kellylynn and Ashley
- Jenna Walker: Carrying a Family Legacy Forward One Mile at a Time
- Shawnta Wortham: Finding a New Direction on the Road
- Kellylynn McLaughlin Brings Driver Perspective to Homeland Security Stage
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