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League of Railway Women Names MxV Rail President & CEO Kari Gonzales as 2023 Railway Woman of the Year
Golden Valley, Minnesota – The League of Railway Women (LRW) recently named MxV Rail President and CEO Kari Gonzales the winner of the 2023 Railway Woman of the Year award. Gonzales was honored at an awards presentation during the 2024 NRC Conference & NRC REMSA Exhibition.
Co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading, this annual award honors a woman who establishes a strong vision and a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, and brings excellence to her organization and community, all while supporting the personal and professional growth of others in the rail industry.
“LRW's Woman of the Year Advisory Committee was moved by Kari's visionary leadership, strategic planning, community engagement, and commitment to education and workforce development,” said LRW President Sarah Yurasko. “She has helped create a company culture of safety and trust, and has positioned MxV Rail as the world's premier rail research organization. We are proud to have her represent the League of Railway Women as the 2023 Railway Woman of the Year.”
"This year's nominations were nothing short of remarkable and incredibly inspiring." said LRW Awards Chair Denise Williams. "The Advisory Committee had their work cut out for them during the final selection process, but when the independent evaluation process showed Kari as the front-runner, there was an instant consensus amongst the group. I think this speaks volumes to the impact and legacy Kari has built across the rail industry.”
Gonzales has been part of MxV Rail, a subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads, since 2000, advancing from a student intern to a research engineer, and later assuming the role of vice president and CFO In 2021, she became president and CEO, spearheading the company's transformation from Transportation Technology Center Inc. (TTCI) to MxV Rail.
Gonzales leads the MxV Rail team with the advantage of 20 years of service and experience in the rail industry. She is a mechanical engineer by training, holds an MBA and was recognized by Progressive Railroading as a “Rising Star” in 2014. She was the inaugural candidate for the MxV Rail Railroad Exchange Program, spending a year at BNSF Railway's Texas headquarters as a visiting professional. In addition, Kari serves on several community and industry boards. Gonzales was a Director at Large on LRW's Board of Directors from 2017 – 2022 and instituted the Education Committee and Chair position.
The Woman of the Year Advisory Committee, comprised of former Woman of the Year recipients, recommends an award recipient to the LRW Board of Directors each year.
For further information, contact LRW Kathryn Keeler at keeler@railwaywomen.org.