by Women In Trucking Staff, on Aug 13, 2026
The trucking industry continues to evolve, driven by leaders who not only deliver exceptional business results but also invest in developing the next generation of talent. This year, the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) recognizes one such leader by naming Aurélie Doucette, Vice President of Dedicated Contract Carriage Operations at Penske Logistics, the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award (DWLA).
The award, sponsored by Truck Parking Club and presented during the TIA Capital Ideas Conference and Exhibition, celebrates leaders whose influence extends beyond their organizations and across the broader supply chain. Doucette was selected for her commitment to operational excellence, servant leadership, and her unwavering dedication to mentoring and advancing women in transportation and logistics.
She was chosen from an accomplished group of finalists that included Eileen Dabrowski, CEO of Apex Tide Consulting, and Erin Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer of YMX Logistics.
Becoming the Distinguished Woman in Logistics
“With more than two decades of experience, Aurélie exemplifies the leadership and dedication this award was created to recognize,” says WIT’s Interim President and CEO, Lana Nichols. “Her commitment to developing people, improving operations and advancing opportunities for women distinguishes her from many others in the industry.”
Doucette’s logistics career spans 25 years, beginning as a traffic coordinator with Transfreight. Following the company’s acquisition by Penske Logistics, she continued her leadership journey, steadily advancing through the organization to her current role overseeing Penske Logistics’ Southeast Dedicated Contract Carriage business.
Today, she leads approximately 1,500 associates across 72 locations serving 29 customers in sectors ranging from medical and healthcare to food and beverage and other diverse industries. Her responsibilities include accelerating supply chain performance, strengthening customer partnerships, and guiding large-scale operations through an increasingly complex transportation environment.
Her leadership has produced measurable results. In her first year as Vice President of Operations, Doucette successfully navigated challenging market conditions while delivering consistent revenue and pretax growth.
Her customer-focused leadership was further recognized when her team earned Wayne Sanderson Farms’ 2024 Dedicated Partner of the Year Award. She has also received Penske Logistics’ prestigious President’s Award twice, in 2021 and 2023, recognizing her exceptional leadership and performance.
Amplifying the Voices of Others
While her operational accomplishments are significant, colleagues point to Doucette’s people-first leadership style as her defining characteristic.
Her philosophy centers on servant leadership — empowering others, removing obstacles, and creating opportunities for success. Rather than focusing solely on business metrics, she measures success by the growth and achievements of the people around her. This commitment to developing talent is evident throughout her organization. Doucette actively participates in leadership development programs, Logistics Training initiatives, and Leader Connect panels designed to cultivate future industry leaders. She takes particular pride in seeing mentees advance into increasingly influential positions, creating a ripple effect that expands opportunities for others.
Beyond her operational responsibilities, Doucette serves as the Executive Champion of Penske Logistics’ Women’s Business Resource Group (BRG), where she leads efforts supporting more than 800 women across six chapters.
Under her leadership, the BRG has expanded its programming to include leadership development opportunities, career coaching, mentorship initiatives, and discussions focused on career progression, work-life integration, and personal well-being. In 2024, she helped organize in-person chapter meetings across geographically dispersed regions, creating meaningful opportunities for connection and professional development among field-based employees.
Doucette’s efforts have helped strengthen pathways for women across Penske Logistics while contributing to broader industry conversations about inclusion, leadership, and career advancement.
Doucette’s credits her ability to navigate challenges to lessons learned early in life from her father, who taught her the value of hard work, caring for people, and finding creative solutions.
“I don’t see obstacles the same way others might see it,” says Doucette. “I tend to take the obstacles as challenges and find a way to make it work.”
That perspective has helped her build credibility throughout her career and serves as an inspiration for women pursuing leadership roles across the trucking industry.
Equally important, Doucette demonstrates that professional success and personal fulfillment can coexist. As a dedicated wife and mother who values international travel experiences with her family, she models a balanced approach to leadership that resonates with many of the women she mentors.
As the logistics industry continues to evolve, leaders like Doucette are helping shape its future — not only through operational excellence but through their commitment to developing people, strengthening organizations, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.
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