Martha Payne is a transportation attorney with Benesch and has a career that spans more than four decades. As one of the few women in the transportation and logistics field early in her career, she broke barriers and overcame significant challenges, exemplifying perseverance and determination. She has seen extensive changes in practices and trends involving cargo liability, risk management, and supply chain management – and also has seen dramatic changes in opportunities for women in the trucking industry.
Payne was honored as the 2025 Distinguished Woman in Logistics.
Sarah Ruffcorn, President of Trinity Logistics, is responsible for leading a complex People-Centric freight solutions company arranging freight for businesses of all sizes utilizing truckload, less-than-truckload, drayage, intermodal, expedited and technology solutions. Trinity has seven regional service centers, team members working in more than 25 states and more than 130 agent offices nationwide providing creative logistics solutions. Ruffcorn leads all aspects to include strategy, engagement, customer experience, execution, growth, and profitability.
Read an extensive interview between Ruffcorn and WIT’s official magazine, Redefining the Road, and why she was named the 2024 Distinguished Woman in Logistics.
Erin Van Zeeland is one of the most high-ranking women with Schneider National, one of the largest transportation companies in North America. She is responsible for the strategy, execution and growth of the company’s fastest growing segment, Logistics, which has become a nearly $2 billion offering and includes brokerage, supply chain and distribution management and power-only services. She also oversees the company’s sales and marketing strategy and capability enablement in her capacity as CCO.
She began her career at Schneider in 1993 as a service team leader and has since held several roles across the company in Logistics, asset-based divisions and leadership focused on customer growth and business transformation. Read how she is “leading gracefully” which is why she ultimately was named the 2023 Distinguished Woman in Logistics.
Nicole Glenn founded Candor Expedite in 2017 after more than two decades in the transportation brokerage business, with a vision to build the smartest and most efficient freight business that delivers on its promises. Today, Candor is recognized as a leading certified women-owned business headquartered in Texas – with offices in Illinois and Kansas. Logistics is in Glenn’s DNA having held several operational positions for a variety of transportation brokerage companies over the years. Through these roles, she learned the nuts and bolts of moving freight along with the biggest challenges both shippers and carriers face each day. Check out her story on why she was named the 2022 Distinguished Woman in Logistics.
Now entering its second decade, the Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award (DWLA) continues to spotlight visionary women whose contributions drive growth, reshape supply chains, and strengthen the future of the logistics industry. This award not only honors an individual’s remarkable achievements, but also serves as a beacon that encourages more women to pursue and excel in logistics roles — from freight brokerage and third-party logistics to supply chain strategy and operations.
History of the Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award
Martha Payne, Sarah Ruffcorn, Erin Van Zeeland, and Nicole Glenn are just a few examples of incredible women who have led unusual careers that have led to being named as a Distinguished Woman in Logistics by the Women In Trucking Association.
This recognition program exemplifies the power of women’s leadership in a field critical to our economy. WIT invites industry leaders, peers, and organizations to nominate women whose vision, determination, and influence are shaping the next generation of logistics excellence.
The winner of this prestigious award will be honored at the TIA 2026 Capital Ideas Conference, taking place April 15-18 in Phoenix, AZ. Click here for more information and to nominate an outstanding individual who you think is worthy of this award.
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