On Nov. 5-6, NRLC’s Directors of Labor Relations, Jeanie Barrere and Kristin Beckner, attended Women in Rail at the Union League Club of Chicago.
The theme of the conference, hosted by Railway Age and RT&S, was: Connect. Inspire. Innovate. Highlights of the two-day event included speakers and panels, an awards luncheon, and a tour of a Metra commuter rail rebuild shop and training center. Prior to the conference in October, Railway Age named 25 Women in Rail Honorees for 2024.
Union Pacific President Beth Whited opened the first day with a talk discussing her 35 years of experience with the railroad across multiple functions. Whited is the first female President of Union Pacific and was a founding member of the railroad’s LEAD (Lead, Educate, Achieve, Develop) women’s initiative. The Honorable Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, opened day two.
NCCC members BNSF, CN, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific were among the sponsors of the conference. Additional speakers included Norfolk Southern’s EVP and CEO John Orr, CSX’s VP of Total Rewards Michelle Mullen, and BNSF’s General Manager, Chicago Division, Sara Johnson.
