by Courtney Bloom, on Mar 13, 2026 8:16:28 AM
The transportation industry is full of stories about resilience, dedication, and community. Few people represent those qualities as clearly as Allyson Hay, a professional truck driver for Walmart and an active volunteer with the Women In Trucking Association (WIT). Through her work with the WITney® Educational Trailer and her commitment to outreach, Hay is helping introduce the next generation to the opportunities within the trucking industry.
From delivering freight across the country to mentoring students at events and schools, Hay brings passion and purpose to every role she takes on. Her volunteer efforts focus on showing people what a career in transportation can offer while helping them see their own potential within the industry.
Hay’s journey with WIT began at Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky. Her company visited the organization’s booth and encouraged her to attend the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event. What she discovered there made a lasting impression.
She saw something that had not always been visible in trucking: a strong, supportive community for female drivers.
“I was impressed that female drivers had a community, and I wanted to be a part of it,” Hay says.
That moment sparked a deeper connection with the organization. Today, she is not only a member but also part of the WIT Image Team. In this role, she helps represent the organization at events across the country while supporting educational outreach efforts.
One of her main responsibilities as a volunteer is supporting WITney®, a mobile exhibit designed to introduce students and job seekers to careers in transportation. Hay helps transport the trailer and participates in events at schools, colleges, truck shows, and corporate gatherings.
Her presence at these events helps break stereotypes about trucking while giving people a chance to see what the industry truly looks like.
Hay’s volunteer work centers on engagement and encouragement and she believes that simply meeting people where they are can open doors they may not have considered before.
Through the WITney® experience, students and visitors can explore career paths in trucking, learn about different roles in the industry, and even test their driving skills through the simulator. For Hay, these interactions are about helping people recognize their own potential.
“I have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of a lot of people old and young and to be able to inspire them as they transition through life,” she says.
Her day job as a professional truck driver reinforces that message. Hay delivers freight to Walmart stores and distribution centers, manages backhauls, and ensures every mile is completed safely. Safety remains at the center of everything she does, whether she is on the road delivering freight or speaking to students about the profession.
Beyond the technical side of trucking, Hay emphasizes the importance of service. Drivers help keep communities supplied with essential goods, making the profession both challenging and rewarding.
She often shares that message with students who may not yet understand the impact transportation has on everyday life.
Among the many events Hay has attended with WITney®, one experience stands out.
At one event, she noticed a young woman who seemed interested but hesitant to step forward. Hay made it a point to engage with her and encourage her to participate in the trailer’s career assessment survey designed to measure aptitude for trucking. The young woman took her time completing the survey and ended up passing with excellent results.
Later, the same student waited patiently for her turn to try the driving simulator while others moved ahead of her. Hay noticed and made sure she got her opportunity. When the young woman finally took the wheel, she scored a perfect 100. Seeing her reaction made the entire moment worthwhile.
Experiences like this are exactly why Hay continues volunteering. Whether she is encouraging a future driver, connecting someone to apprenticeship programs for diesel technicians, or guiding professionals toward networking opportunities like the Accelerate! Conference & Expo, she focuses on helping people find their place in the transportation industry.
As Hay looks toward the future, her goals remain centered on outreach and inspiration. She hopes to continue visiting schools, colleges, and industry events to help more people discover the many opportunities available within trucking.
She believes the industry offers something valuable for everyone, saying, “we all have something to offer.”
Representation also plays a powerful role in her work. When young women and girls see her behind the wheel or leading a demonstration, they are seeing proof that they can pursue the same path. For Hay, those moments matter because they help people picture themselves in careers they may have never considered before.
Through every mile she drives and every student she meets, Hay continues to represent the spirit of Women In Trucking. Her mission is clear and consistent throughout her work in the industry: educate, motivate, and inspire. As she puts it best, “I like to educate, motivate and inspire. Not just women. We all need help in this industry.”
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