Bobbi Leach: Opening Doors for Women in Trucking

If you know Bobbi Leach, you know she doesn’t do anything halfway. As the Director of Branding and Communications at Expediter Services (ES), she’s spent 16 years in the industry learning exactly how it works and using that knowledge to make it work better for the women in it.

The Women In Trucking Association named Leach its July 2026 Member of the Month, a recognition that reflects not just her role at ES, but what she’s been quietly building for women across the trucking industry throughout her career.

A Foundation in Trucking

Leach didn’t arrive at Expediter Services without context. Her time rising through the ranks of the recruiting department at Melton Truck Lines gave her a ground-level understanding of the industry, the culture, the gaps, and what it actually takes to support the people keeping freight moving.

She wasn’t just watching from the sidelines. She’s been in the trenches her entire career.

That experience sharpened her instincts, and when she encountered ES, she knew pretty quickly she’d found something different. What she was looking for wasn’t complicated, a company whose values showed up in its actions, not just its messaging. ES checked that box.

“The decision to join the ES team was an easy one,” says Leach. “I’ve built my career on supporting people, empowering them to succeed, and recognizing their essential contribution, all of which align with Expediter Service’s altruistic approach.”

Joining the ES team in 2022 as an outside consultant, her value was quickly recognized and she was brought on full time in 2024, a decision that according to Jeff Tacker, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Commercial Officer, at ES was, “the right person at the right time and a great addition to our team. She had the same vision and values as an advocate for owner operators (especially women who are in the trucking industry).”

Throughout the past four years, Leach has helped shape, build, and expand the program offerings provided by ES, and shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.

The Women Owned-Business Initiative

One of the things Leach is most proud of is her role in helping expand ES’ Women-Owned Business Initiative, originally launched 2017. And if you’ve talked to her about it for more than five minutes, you’ll know why.

Through the program, ES provides access to equipment, financing, and support while also covering the first year of WIT network membership for participants. It is a practical move that opens the door to mentorship, connection, and professional development, something Leach states as “the kind of resources that can genuinely change the trajectory of a career.”

But the program only works if people know about it. That’s where Leach comes in. A significant part of her role is making sure the women in the industry are aware of what’s available to them. In her words, “a program that isn’t visible doesn’t help anyone.”

Today, the ES community is nearly 40 percent women, a rarity in the trucking industry. That’s not a talking point, it’s the result of years of deliberate and continued effort.

Effort that will soon see the Women-Owned Business Initiative surpass 400 members. For Leach, it’s a number that represents real people who found a foothold in the industry through a program built to remove the barriers that typically stand in the way. It didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t happen by accident.

A key part of the program’s success is Leach’s experience. She knows what the barriers look like from the inside, and she knows the difference between support that’s performative and support that’s real. That’s the lens she brings to every conversation about what ES is building for women in this industry.

“Like the company’s approach to supporting operators, this initiative shows a genuine investment in people’s success. Being part of something that helps break down barriers and creates a more inclusive and supportive environment is something I take a lot of pride in because it leads to real, lasting change.”

For Women Considering the Industry

Ask Leach what she’d tell a woman thinking about a career in trucking, and she doesn’t hesitate. She leads with belonging, not with caveats.

“As a woman entering the field, know that you absolutely belong here. If you’re looking to start a career as a professional driver, choose a reputable training program, ask questions, and don’t rush into signing up for anything until you understand the pay structure, routes, and expectations.”

It’s straightforward advice, but it carries weight coming from someone who has seen both sides of the industry. The good and the gaps. She knows that women entering trucking with the right information and the right support are better positioned to build something that lasts and to raise the bar for the women who follow them.

She sums it up the way she tends to: directly. “You have to be the change you want to see.”

The Women-Owned Business Initiative is hitting its stride, but Leach is clear that the work isn’t finished. For her, that’s not a problem. It’s the point.

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