Member of the Month

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Christina Parrillo as its June 2024 Member of the Month. Parrillo is the Field Services Midwest Branch Manager at Clean Harbors.

Growing up, Parrillo desired to be a pediatrician and began the pre-med track at the University of Michigan. However, about two and a half years in, she had a change of heart. Being what she believes is a “science nerd,” she took interest in a class on hazardous waste management. The course was only offered at certain times because the professor who taught it actively worked in the industry. She eventually took an internship with that professor, and they hired her at the end of the internship. At that time, the only position open was for Rodman and she took it, beginning her career in the industry which ultimately led her to Clean Harbors.

Parrillo's journey is a testament to her resilience and gratitude. In a world where adversity often tests one's resolve, she has risen above life's challenges, leaving an indelible mark on society. Her story is about determination and a profound gratitude for her accomplishments. As a female leader at Clean Harbors, she has overcome adversities and significantly impacted her career, embodying the essence of gratitude in all aspects of her life.

As an inspiring female leader, Parrillo has embarked on a path of professional excellence. With unwavering determination, she has continued to climb the corporate ladder at Clean Harbors while significantly impacting the employees she is surrounded by. For Parrillo, the hazardous waste industry is a dirty job, especially in field services and she believes it can be draining not only mentally but physically at times. Parrillo has channeled her experiences into a driving force, propelling her and her team, which she cares deeply for, towards success.

Parrillo was the first female in the Great Lakes division to be promoted to branch manager overseeing the field services line of business. With more than 15 years of experience in multiple leadership roles, Parrillo leads one of seven employee resource groups, WAVES (Women Advancing Our Values in Environmental Services), across an organization of 22,000 employees. She has been a pivotal leader in significantly impacting the females of Clean Harbors by implementing female-fitted uniforms while cultivating a culture of psychological safety for the WAVES members she serves within the workplace.

Aside from her everyday role as a branch manager, Parrillo also manages multiple drivers while ensuring her customers are receiving the highest level of service from her team. The two things she loves about her job are working for an environmental company that makes a difference and that no two days are ever the same.

Parrillo appreciates the sense of sisterhood between women in the industry, as it fosters a sense of unity, support, and understanding that can enhance productivity and collaboration. While women often face unique challenges and barriers in the workplace, she believes having a strong network of supportive women can make all the difference. “As a woman, I have learned from others through their experiences, challenges, and skills, gaining great respect and knowledge for what we do in this industry,” said Parrillo.

Parrillo would like women interested in the trucking industry to know that it is great industry, but sometimes you might need to have thick skin saying, “get the lay of the land and know when to pick your battles. You have several sources you can pull from to get any help or information you might need.”

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Arelis Bonilla as its May 2024 Member of the Month. Bonilla is the president and CEO of Aria Logistics.

Bonilla was inspired by her father, a truck driver. She cultivated a deep-seated aspiration to follow in his footsteps and loves working in the transportation industry. Knowing that every day is different, she said, “I love the day-to-day challenges.” She enjoys the critical on-demand thinking that is imperative in her field of work and makes every day interesting and rewarding.

At just 20 years old, Bonilla embarked on a self-employment journey while pursuing a full-time college education, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Berkeley College in 2009.

Despite encountering financial adversity during the 2008 financial crisis, she persevered, delving into business logistics and transportation. Drawing from her past setbacks and a fervent desire to effect positive change and leave a lasting imprint on the industry, she took the bold leap to establish her own company.

Her journey began in 2013 with the acquisition of her first delivery truck, sparking her mission to transform transportation management for shippers and consumers alike. Through Aria Logistics, she has led the way in providing top-tier service, guaranteeing the seamless delivery of large and bulky items from warehouse to customer, thereby establishing new benchmarks in last-mile home delivery. Bonilla highlights the critical importance of persistence, innovation, and decisive action in entrepreneurship. With a deep understanding of business complexities, she embodies resilience and steadfast dedication.

The inception of Aria Logistics was not devoid of apprehension, yet Bonilla approached the challenges with fortitude and optimism, embracing failures as invaluable learning experiences. Starting as a modest operation, she assumed multifaceted roles encompassing sales, marketing, and customer service. Despite the hurdles, Bonilla persisted, drawing upon each encounter as a stepping stone toward growth. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, she navigated new markets, diversified offerings, and forged strategic partnerships. Today, Aria Logistics boasts a workforce of over fifty exceptional individuals, each instrumental in propelling the company forward.

She loves to mentor saying, “just sharing my story in itself is a form of mentorship.” Directing women to the great organizations out there, such as Women in Trucking, is another way to receive valuable information to help anyone looking to get involved in the trucking industry. Women interested in joining the trucking industry should thoroughly research the field to understand its demands and opportunities. Networking with other women in the industry can provide valuable insights and support.

Bonilla envisioned a venture that delivered exceptional services, fostered employment opportunities, and contributed to community advancement. Her pride in Aria Logistics as a minority, women-owned business underscores her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity.

Distinguished by its unparalleled customer service, Aria Logistics sets a new benchmark within the industry under Bonilla's guidance. Recognizing that satisfied customers are the cornerstone of success, Bonilla endeavors to create unforgettable experiences for all clientele interactions. Through active listening and a customer-centric approach, she tailors solutions that foster unwavering loyalty and trust.

Taking care of physical and mental well-being is essential for a demanding lifestyle. Women should advocate for themselves professionally and embrace technology to enhance efficiency. Pursuing opportunities for advancement and career growth while staying motivated and committed to their goals will help ensure success in the trucking industry.

Bonilla was inducted into the Prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry and recognized as a Top Woman-Owned Company in Transportation, which underscores her exemplary leadership and industry prowess. She actively engages in various organizations, remains attuned to industry developments, and advocates for inclusivity and empowerment. Bonilla's unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with her status as a certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise, solidifies her position as a trailblazer within the entrepreneurial landscape. She plans to continue to grow and expand her footprint to even more diverse home deliveries.

Not only is she an extremely successful business owner, but Bonilla also has two children, a boy, and a girl. She is immensely proud of them and is extremely involved in their interests. She attends as many volleyball and basketball games as she can. She was extremely excited to hear that not only was she a WIT Member of the Month, but for May since May also celebrates Mother’s Day.

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Micha Kay as its April 2024 Member of the Month. Kay is the Regional Human Resources Development Manager at Old Dominion Freight Line.

Kay has been in the trucking industry her whole life. Her dad worked as an OTR truck driver during her childhood until he retired in 2021. Times were different back then, and he used to be able to take Kay on the road with him. She has vivid memories of sitting on the bed in the back of his truck with her coloring books and watching talk shows on his small TV as they drove across the country. She used to be able to get out and help him unload pallets on the dock as well. Growing up with a fairly absent dad due to him being an over-the-road driver gave her such an appreciation for truck drivers and what they do every day.

Although Kay recently re-entered the transportation industry in 2022, she started her career in transportation back in 2009 as a nighttime driver check-in clerk, which helped her get through college. Kay always knew that one day she would come back when she found the perfect company to work for, and that is exactly what she did!

When she left transportation in 2011, she entered the construction industry, where she spent most of her career. She knew it was going to be a challenge. Both transportation and construction are very male-dominated industries, and Kay knew it would take some work to make a name for herself. She believes that being true to yourself and your abilities is key. “Just believe in yourself and keep the male versus female mentality at bay. We are all in this together, and reaching our goal of fulfilling our promises to our customers is our number one goal.”

Kay actually started college as an education major until her junior year when she switched to human resource management. Her desire to teach and develop people has helped immensely in her career in HR. Now she finds herself overseeing twenty-five locations, which she loves. Every day is different, and she is passionate about “boots on the ground” traveling to all locations so that she can interact with the drivers.

She is extremely enthusiastic about mentoring, training, and development. In fact, she teaches all internship programs and runs both management and training programs, which she thoroughly enjoys. Kay has won several awards throughout her 15-year career in HR but most recently received the Old Dominions Service 2.0D award for providing exceptional service to the OD family.

Kay is incredibly involved with her drivers; she recalls one instance when she went out with one of them for a ride-along. They were downtown, and the driver was as calm as could be with one hand on the wheel and backing up into a dock that no way looked like there was enough room to back a car into let alone a truck. She was in full panic mode thinking that this was not going to fit, but it did, he got it in with no problem, and she just sat back amazed.

Beyond Kay’s amazing career, she is a single mom with two teenage daughters. When she is not working, she is involved in her daughter’s sports schedule and family time. She also opened her own side business in 2021, specializing in resume writing and career coaching. In short, Kay absolutely loves seeing people reach their career goals and dreams.

Kay would like women interested in the trucking industry to know that, first and foremost, if you hear that trucking and transportation are not lucrative or productive, this is a misconception and a false reality. It is an illustrious career choice. You just need to be fully confident in yourself and your skills that you bring to the table. Respect is earned and with that you can thrive.

Kay ultimately sees herself in the future working in the transportation industry. She is enthusiastic about what she does and wants to continue doing what she does to help the industry grow even stronger.

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Tanya Miracle as its March 2024 Member of the Month. Miracle is the Director OE Truck Channel at Bridgestone Americas.

Even though Miracle has been involved in the trucking industry since she was in high school, she said that it was 100% by accident that she still finds herself in the trucking industry today.

She lived in Ohio when she started her career as a dispatcher for Robert’s Express in 1993. From there, she worked for a tire mold company for a few years.

She was married (and divorced) to an owner operator who hauled oversize drop deck freight. She fully understands the sacrifices and challenges faced by the families of long-haul drivers. She knows how difficult it is when birthdays and holidays must be missed, or when the industry is experiencing a downturn and work is uncertain. She remembers those tough days but feels that it helped shape who she is today and helped build her resilience and courage.

When Miracle decided to apply at Bridgestone, it was for the role of developing consumer tires, but the interviewers introduced her to the commercial truck group, and that is where she is today. Since then, she has fallen in love with the people, the industry, the weather in Nashville, and her work. She genuinely enjoys the interactions with the trucking industry. Working and meeting people at conferences and conventions, from truck drivers to CEOs, all interacting together, and sharing their knowledge and experience is part of the collaborative environment that keeps her in the industry. Everyone exchanges ideas and thoughts as equals, no matter what their title in their company may be. As Miracle says, “It is a great industry to be in.”

The most unique aspect of Miracle's role is how she goes about being in a predominantly male world - she promotes from within and continues to "break the bias" by breaking down the barriers for women in the industry. She creates pathways for women to succeed and ensures that everyone has the tools necessary to realize their full potential. Miracle has a progressive mindset and leverages her technical expertise as a previous design engineer to drive initiatives and innovative ideas to deliver solutions to her customers (OEMs and fleets). She selflessly shares information and contacts to make Bridgestone a great place to develop talent and preserve a culture of comradery. She is in her element when she can mentor and teach others in the industry.

Outside of work, Miracle’s main interests are her children, family, and playing golf. She has nine children - three stepchildren, three of her own, and three adopted children. She loves being both a woman with an amazing career and a mom.

Miracle won an internal Bridgestone America award for being part of the R213 team in 2020 and was further awarded as a top woman to watch in Bridgestone in 2022. As an inspiring and thoughtful leader, her biggest piece of advice is, "don’t be intimidated or come into the industry with a preconceived notion of what the trucking industry is; the societal stereotypes about ‘trucking’ are just not true.”

Miracle really believes that it is a shame that the trucking industry’s image is viewed as it is at times. She recognizes that the trucking industry is much more accepting and open than it is perceived to be. She feels that it is nice to see more diversity and that it will help to move the industry forward. With diversity comes innovative ideas, philosophies, and mindsets that will only help make the trucking industry even stronger in diverse ways.

In the future, Miracle still sees herself in the trucking industry. She is a passionate person and wants to continue doing what she can to make the industry the best it can be. She would like to do whatever she can to continue to move the trucking industry forward. “This industry was created by hard-working, driven people who move the world around us into the future every day."

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Kimberly Diggs as its February 2024 Member of the Month. Diggs is the Senior Content Marketing Manager at Triumph.

Diggs had no idea when she was the arts and entertainment editor for 14 newspapers years ago that she would end up in marketing, let alone the trucking industry.

How did Diggs find herself working in the trucking industry? She recalls that, almost two years ago, a recruiter from Triumph reached out to her while she was handling marketing and PR for an alcohol brand. At the time she said, “I was working a dead-end job that I was very unhappy in and when the recruiter reached out to me, I took the plunge!”

She’s now the content marketer for Triumph. Part of her job is to get a deeper understanding of the life of a trucker in order to effectively speak to them. The more she has learned, the deeper her appreciation has grown for truckers and the individual sacrifices that are made to ensure our society does not collapse. She feels that truckers are truly unsung heroes.

Diggs has received fantastic opportunities to host a webinar about becoming a content creator as a driver and be a panelist in a discussion about the importance of centering the voice of drivers in company messaging. In both opportunities, she hoped to spark some thought around women and GNC folk seeing themselves as thought leaders.

She says that “In an industry that has been male dominated for a long time, these winds of change are important, and we should share any information we have to help the next person shine brighter while more companies are open to it.” She loves the fact that she has the opportunity to make an impact and how exciting it is to see it come to fruition.

Diggs is sure many of us have been given the short but classic speech that we have to be twice as good to receive half of what our counterparts do. “Though I didn’t like why I was receiving this advice, I took it to heart and received the wake-up call of my career a few years before working at Triumph because that advice smacked me in the face one day.”

She presented her plan for content marketing and PR for the company she was working for at the time and was able to expertly answer every question asked of her by the members of the sales team they were presenting to. The next day, the VP went down the line, giving specific feedback about what the sales guys appreciated about her teammates’ presentations. When she (the VP) got to Diggs, her feedback was “they liked how professional you are.” This was not because she had a lackluster plan, and they were struggling to find a compliment. This was because, based on her race, gender, age, or some fun cocktail of these intersections, they expected her to be unprofessional.

“This is the unfortunate reality of being a member of a marginalized group. The key is to understand this reality; determine how much control you have in your career and future; and rise to great everyday with confidence and a coffee.”

She would like any women wanting to join the trucking industry to know that “you should always advocate for yourself. You are knowledgeable, you are capable, and the company you work for knows that you have something to offer because you are there.”

Though many women assume they won’t be able to enter trucking, especially as drivers or owner-operators, Diggs has seen a shift in attitude on social media, as part of her job is to keep up with trucking content all over the web. “I think lots of women assume they can’t work in trucking because they’re moms or they are juggling too many responsibilities, but you get on TikTok, and you see so many women doing it! They are moms, wives, mentors, bosses, truckers and more. It’s empowering to realize you can type in a topic on TikTok and there is a good chance a woman’s video may show up giving you valuable information about that topic. Things are changing for the better.”

Diggs is extremely optimistic about her bright future. She plans to stay in marketing and would like to progress to a senior role. Being able to mentor, provide guidance, and support is something that she is interested in doing in the future.

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Alyssa Briggs as its January 2025 Member of the Month. At only 24 years old, Briggs has been a trailer mechanic at XPO, Inc. for nearly four years. 

Unsure of what she wanted to do when she grew up, Briggs decided to go to a vocational school where she was instructed to pick three course options. Her first choice was CNC machining, as her stepfather is a CNC machinist, and she had been considering following in his footsteps. Her second choice was welding, and her third choice was the diesel mechanic course. She was accepted into her third choice – the diesel mechanic course. At first, she was scared because she knew nothing about anything mechanical and closest she had come to working on a vehicle was watching her stepfather change oil in a car.    
 
On the first day of school, she realized she was the only woman in her class, making her even more nervous, however, most of the men were quick to answer the questions she had and taught her a lot of useful information. As time went on, she grew to love mechanics and the more she learned, the more interested she became.    
 
After graduation, Briggs wanted to become a professional mechanic but was terrified of applying for a job. “I felt like I didn’t have a chance in this industry,” said Briggs. “I wasn’t sure who would give a woman a chance, and it took a little more than a year of considering my options and a whole bunch of pep talks with my husband who finally convinced me to give it a try.”

Briggs began researching and came across XPO, which seemed like the perfect fit as the pay, benefits and time off stood out compared to the company’s competitors. The day after applying, she received a call to come in for an interview. During the interview, she still felt like she had no chance of getting hired but she was determined to give it her best. “I remember asking the interviewer if the company had ever employed a woman mechanic and to my surprise, he responded with, ‘we actually have two other great women mechanics here.’ I couldn’t believe it and hearing that helped ease my nerves going into this field – I wasn’t alone!” Once Briggs was extended a job offer, she immediately accepted and was beyond excited. She knew XPO was the right place for her and to this day, she can't ask for a better place to work saying, “the amount of support and respect I receive is unmatched.”

Throughout her time at XPO, Briggs has been able to further her knowledge with hands-on experience. In fact, in November of last year, Briggs had the chance to put her skills to the test at the company’s annual MasterTech competition which tests the professional skills and knowledge of XPO’s top technicians. To qualify for the competition, technicians must pass an entrance exam, interview and quality checks of their work. Next, the top 20 mechanics, eight truck mechanics, eight trailer mechanics and four forklift mechanics within the company are invited compete against each other in Orlando, FL. Briggs took first place in the competition which consisted of 27 stations including electrical, preventative maintenance, brakes and tires. She is the first woman in history to win first place saying, “this accomplishment will motivate me to become even better technician and will motivate other women to take chances and to just go for things in their career. I hope other women mechanics and women who are considering going into this field see this and know that we are just as capable in a male-dominated field!”

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced April Crysel as its December 2024 Member of the Month. Crysel is a professional driver for Chestnut Enterprises, a well-established company in Wilmington, North Carolina that has been in the container repair industry since 1977. She is also a member of the WIT Class of 2024 Image Team.

At the age of 45, after her factory job was outsourced to another country, Crysel began her career in the industry at Maverick Transportation where she hauled specialized flatbed, hauling glass to 48 states and Canada. From there, she became a driver trainer/driver support team for Ryder System, Inc. In this role, she drove box truck, flatbed, doubles, refrigerated tanker, containers and dump beds. She then settled into working for an owner-operator hauling containers out of the ports. Additionally, Crysel tried her hand as a safety manager and dispatcher at Global Transportation Management (GTM) for two years, enjoying helping other drivers get started in their careers. She thoroughly enjoyed her time in the office but ultimately missed driving and the open road.

Now, 10 years later, Crysel is thrilled to be working with the most wonderful people at Chestnut Enterprises, a small family-owned company with a husband-and-wife team. She loves the people she works for as they are flexible in and out of the port and there is a great camaraderie. “Everyone gets along, and everybody helps everybody,” says Crysel. “You don’t see that as much nowadays and that’s why I don’t want to leave.”

Crysel discovered WIT when she came across the Facebook page in 2015. Shortly after, Sandy Long became her mentor, and she became part of the mentoring Facebook page. She is passionate about helping and supporting other women saying, “being able to help and connect with other women so they know they have a support system here for them is so fulfilling.”

One of Crysel’s favorite parts of being involved with WIT and on the Image Team is attending the Accelerate! Conference & Expo. She has made many lifelong friendships throughout the years and enjoys watching women come together and empower each other.

Off the road, Crysel has boy and girl twins who are grown and have children of their own giving her three wonderful grandsugars.

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Dana Tarver as its November 2024 Member of the Month. Tarver is a fuel hauler for Kenan Advantage Group (KAG), a leading specialized transportation and logistics provider across a range of diversified end markets in the United States and Canada.

In 1995, driven by tenacity and a willingness to embrace challenges head-on, Tarver began her career in the trucking industry at the age of 25. Today, she consistently demonstrates thoroughness and punctuality, adheres to all company policies and is guided by her personal motto – do it right the first time. Tarver serves as an exemplary illustration of the valuable contributions a successful driver can make as her pride in herself, her role and her company shines through her daily trips.

With a passion for safety, Tarver meticulously maintains her equipment, takes all necessary precautions and values mentoring others on the subject. She takes great pride in fellow professional drivers calling her for advice and guidance on the road.

Through trucking, Tarver has carved out a fulfilling career for herself that provides job security and allows her to enjoy time with family and friends without stress or exhaustion, knowing she is well taken care of. She encourages other women not to be intimidated by the male-populated industry and to recognize the opportunities for growth and success available within it.

Tarver is a champion for other women navigating a career path in the trucking industry saying, “never be intimidated to do this job. What's for you will be for you if you always put safety first. When in doubt, stop and ask somebody!"

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Mariposa McNabb as its October 2024 Member of the Month. McNabb is a professional driver for Penske Logistics, a subsidiary of Penske Truck Leasing.

McNabb’s career journey began when her father taught her how to drive. Now, with an exceptional safety record, she has accumulated 4,000,000 miles throughout her 36-year career. As a result, she was recently recognized as a top five finalist for the 2024 DMC Insurance Driver of the Year Award.

In the beginning, McNabb enlisted in the United States Army with plans to become a mechanic but instead, she worked as a clerk in charge of keeping records. After leaving the service, she drove a straight truck before making the decision to return to school. With the GI Bill, she went to a truck driving school and obtained her CDL.

At her company, McNabb is celebrated as a highly skilled professional driver and is often called upon to execute specialty deliveries. Her dedication to safety is also reflected in her exceptional SmartDrive scores. As a Smith System driver trainer and new hire mentor, she demonstrates a solid commitment to safety and the development of her peers. She is passionate about helping others stay safe on the road and establishing lifelong careers in transportation.

McNabb is often the first driver to welcome visitors and new hires to her location and is described by local leadership as a driving force in building an inclusive atmosphere. She volunteers her time on and off the clock to work arm-in-arm with human resources and operations leaders to help promote associate engagement.

“Her positive attitude is contagious! Every day Mariposa is on the team, our operation becomes stronger. The organization is fortunate to have her as a contributing team member,” says Michael Roundy, General Manager of Penske Logistics.

Today, McNabb feels women are more accepted in the trucking industry than when she first started stating, “large companies are trying to fill open positions with more women. As long as companies make it accepting to women, women will come.”

Outside of her professional career, McNabb has three children including two boys and one girl, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is also a foster aunt to a six-month-old baby girl and loves every minute of it.

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Lehua Anderson as its September 2024 Member of the Month. Anderson is a professional driver for GP Transco, a trusted leader in transportation, delivering excellence and innovative solutions for the trucking and logistics industry.

Originally from Moloka’i, a tiny island in Hawaii, Anderson relocated and was raised in rural Alaska where much of the population survived on fishing, farming and hunting. This upbringing, surrounded by a family of towering Polynesian men, showed her that challenges are meant to be conquered, regardless of gender norms. “Men don’t scare me,” says Anderson.

Once Anderson’s children moved out, she and her husband decided they wanted to travel and began pursuing professional truck driving careers. Now, with a staggering 25 years of overall experience, she enjoys the freedom of driving saying, “I don’t have to manage or supervise anyone, and I have the freedom to make my own choices about when my day is going to start and where I want to go.” For Anderson, trucking isn't just a profession, it's a passion forged through years of dedication and a deep-seated love for the open road.

Anderson stresses the importance of researching and finding a company that prioritizes the safety of their drivers especially as a woman in a male-populated industry. As an example, while at her first company, she recalls a time she got stuck in a blizzard with no heat in her truck. Anderson relied on her ten years of living in Alaska to survive showcasing her ability to navigate any roadblock with finesse and confidence.

In the world of trucking, where grit and determination pave the way, Anderson stands as a beacon of strength and resilience. Her journey with GP Transco is not just about miles driven, but about overcoming obstacles with unwavering courage.

As Anderson continues to drive forward with GP Transco, she embodies the spirit of perseverance that defines the Women in Trucking community. Her story inspires admiration and a profound respect for those who dare to break barriers and pave new paths in the world of trucking.

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Natalie Kathain as its August 2024 Member of the Month. Kathain is the chief human resources officer (CHRO) at Amerit Fleet Solutions.

Kathain's passion for her role as the CHRO at Amerit Fleet Solutions is palpable. She loves her job! She has been responsible for driving human resources strategy, developing talent, employee engagement, communications, and overseeing safety and compliance programs for this provider of fleet maintenance and repair programs.

Kathain has embraced a modern, personalized leadership model with business professionals helping to form and implement Amerit Fleet Solutions’ strategy. “We’re going to elevate this company,” she says. She takes pride in creating and cultivating a diverse, inclusive work environment. Understanding working moms' challenges, Kathain was resolute in being a voice for women in the male-dominated industry. “When I became a manager at Amerit,” she recalls, “I promised myself to promote and elevate women, and I am proud of the strides we've made.” Amerit Fleet Solutions continues to grant platforms for other women in the organization.

Today, Amerit Fleet Solutions boasts a thriving learning and development team that crafts comprehensive training programs, fostering continuous professional growth, according to Kahtain. The Amerit team works tirelessly to ensure Amerit employees are equipped with the necessary skills to excel in the fleet industry. To further enhance employee satisfaction, Amerit Fleet Solutions’ dedicated engagement team actively promotes a positive, inclusive culture. This team now implements strategic initiatives designed to increase employee involvement and retention and recognize achievements.

Amerit Fleet Solutions has a thriving employee resource group (ERG) program, as part of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiative. Amerit developed the Women’s Initiative Network, an ERG dedicated to empowering women, establishing connections, and adding value to communities while developing unity in the workplace. They meet every month, and women come together and support each other.

Kathain's advice for women in the industry is not just a suggestion but a call to action. She urges them to seek out like-minded individuals to work with: "Find women who support each other. Build relationships and partnerships and have positive conversations with each other."

Kathain is the first C-level female executive at Amerit, marking much progress for the company and the fleet management industry. Kathain wants women to understand that they can succeed in trucking and maintenance in supervisory roles, ADP roles, director roles, senior leadership, and others. “I want them to know that there’s growth and diversity in this industry and that we can call on so many more that we can help elevate,” she says. “We can change the narrative, the whole perspective that people now have. As we bring more women into this industry, we will be a changed industry.”

It is worthy to note that only 4% of truck technicians are women, according to the 2024 WIT Index, the industry barometer to regularly benchmark and measure the percentage of women who make up critical roles in transportation. However, in high-contrast to this low percentage, women in leadership roles are in the double digits: Approximately 34.5% of company leaders (defined as those who supervise others) are women and 28% of C-suite executives are women.

Kathain is honored to have the opportunity to make an impact and strive for excellence, proven by her persistence in adapting to industry developments. “Just the privilege to be in this role working alongside such an amazing team is so gratifying,” She says. Kathain’s number one goal as CHRO is to “drive equality one mile at a time” as she fosters an inclusive workplace where every individual's voice is heard and valued, paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future. “I also have had amazing women who have elevated and mentored me, and I want women to be promoted, elevated, and get a seat at the table in return.”

Kathain holds on to her legacy and excels at championing her people. Her journey is not just impressive but also inspiring for those who aspire to grow in their careers.

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Megan Junker as its July 2024 Member of the Month. Junker is the dedicated product director for electric vehicles at PACCAR Parts, a division of PACCAR.

Junker has poured her heart and soul into her career in outside sales, fleet and dealer support, and product marketing. Her unwavering enthusiasm for the products she represents and their crucial economic applications in the field is truly infectious.

She loves the fact that what she is doing is making a difference within the trucking industry saying, “being on the edge of a precipice is always interesting, exciting, and challenging.” In her career, Junker has witnessed and actively contributed to the trucking industry embracing new technology. “What has made this industry so successful is its ability to adapt and evolve. Electrification is a new opportunity to continue that evolution,” she said. PACCAR Parts provided Junker with tools and resources to excel in her professional development, and she stepped up to the task. Her responsibilities now include leading business development, product selection, launch, support, and retail performance for electric vehicles and charging.

Junker's journey in the trucking industry is a testament to its possibilities and growth. She immersed herself in learning how the industry operates, starting with trucking fleets and maintenance shops. Her dedication led her to participate in the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) and the TMC Leaders of Tomorrow Program. Her career progression from working with dealer groups to now being on the supplier’s side is a shining example of ambition and success.

Junker is keen for women interested in the trucking industry to know that in her personal experience, women in the industry are a strong support system. “Perhaps because we are not always the majority in the room, we understand what it is like not to be the majority. Therefore, we really support each other by bringing each other into the middle. We have the empathy to support each other,” she said.

Junker's advice to women aspiring to join the trucking industry is simple yet powerful. She encourages them to stay true to themselves, believe in their abilities, and never let anything hinder their passion. “The Women In Trucking organization is not just a supportive network, but a lifeline of professionals who are rooting for each other's success,” she assures, underlining the crucial role of such networks in the industry.

Junker's role as a mentor is not just a job but a passion. She finds immense joy in watching others grow, develop, and become their own. Mentoring younger women, who may be unsure of their abilities, is primarily a testament to her belief in their potential and she believes seeing them gain confidence is the most rewarding part of her journey. She has had mentors, but they were always male mentors. Until recently, when she had a female mentor. “It truly highlighted how impactful having a female mentor benefited me. Her being there for me has inspired me to be there for other women.”

Junker holds a BA in marketing from St. Bonaventure University and an MBA from Ohio University. She enjoys spending time with her fiancé and doing service work in her spare time. She is enthusiastic about outdoor activities such as gardening, backpacking, skiing, and snowboarding.