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Recipients

​2024

2023
  • Jacqueline Mathieson, University of Fredericton - New Brunswick, Executive MBA – National Account Manager, Industrial Products Sales and Marketing at CN
  • Learn more about our 2023 recipient
2022
  • Sarah Taylor, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Executive MBA – Director of Business Systems Analysis at The Kansas City Southern Railway
  • Learn more about our 2022 recipient
2021
  • Oana Cantacioiu, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, MBA – Specialist Car Maintenance Planning, CP, a LRW Platinum Corporate Partner
  • Learn more about our 2021 recipient
2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
  • Jacob Hohlfelder – University of Nebraska, Actuarial Science – Miner Enterprises
  • DeAndra Roache – Dominican University, Masters in Conflict Resolution – Amtrak
  • Learn more about our 2016 recipients.
2015
  • Connor Bailey – University of Illinois, Materials Science & Engineering – TTX Company
  • Benjamin Dobies – University of Pittsburgh, Mechanical Engineering – A. Stucki Company
  • Laura Steckbeck – University of Oklahoma, Communications
  • Learn more about our 2015 recipients.
2014
  • Shannon Costello – Eastern Illinois University, Elementary Education – Chicago Freight Car Leasing Co.
  • Merry Nemeth – Bellevue University, Project Management – RailWorks Track Services
  • Ben Tizzano – Drexel University, Mechanical Engineering Technology – RailResource
  • Learn more about our 2014 recipients.
2013
  • Joseph M. Culligan – Georgia Institute of Technology, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering – TTX Company
  • Benjamin Stephen Dobies – University of Pittsburgh, Mechanical Engineering – A. Stucki Company
  • Mitchell James Olsem – DePaul University, Computer Science – Iowa Northern Railway
  • Learn more about our 2013 recipients [pdf]

Please contact scholarship@railwaywomen.org for more information or to contribute.

2024 Scholarship Recipient
Rosa Richmond,  University of Arizona - Claims Director at Amtrak

Rosa Richmond was awarded the $5,000 Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship. Rosa is enrolled at the University of Arizona. This scholarship honors the memory of former LRW President Connie Sumara, a LRW founder and longest-serving president. It seeks to encourage women pursuing graduate or undergraduate degrees to further their careers within the rail industry.

"As I continue my studies and career, I will strive to honor the legacy of Connie Sumara by supporting the growth of the railroad industry, mentorship, and railroad safety. Her contributions to the railroad industry, including this scholarship, will continue to encourage and support my path."

2023 Scholarship Recipient
Jacqueline Mathieson,  University of Fredericton, New Brunswick – National Account Manager, Industrial Products in Sales & Marketing at CN, a Platinum Corporate Partner with the LRW.

Jacqueline Mathieson, National Account Manager in Industrial Products at CN has been awarded the $3000 USD 2023 Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship. Jacqueline is completing her Executive MBA degree at University of Fredericton.

"I am grateful for this scholarship and I appreciate the committee’s recognition of my achievements. My journey in this industry and throughout my career has not only lead me in many directions and provided me with opportunities for growth, but also provided me with the opportunity to help others on their journey by encouraging them and sharing my knowledge. As I approach the final year of my EMBA program, I realize how much effort and dedication it takes to balance both academic and professional challenges. I am proud of my accomplishments and eager to continue my journey; this scholarship supports me as I enter my final year and will continue to support me in the long term to give back to this industry and my peer's education." 
 
2022 Scholarship Recipient

Sarah Taylor, University of Missouri - Kansas City , Executive MBA – Director of Business Systems Analysis at The Kansas City Southern Railway
 

Sarah Taylor, Director of Business Systems Analysis, The Kansas City Southern Railway, has been awarded the $3000 USD 2022 Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship. Sarah is pursuing an Executive MBA at    the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

"I am honored to be awarded the Connie Sumatra Scholarship.  The opportunities I have been afforded while working in the rail industry have helped shape me into the leader I am today.  It is these opportunities, and the wonderful people I have worked with, that inspired me to pursue higher education."

Read the press release to learn more about our winner. 

2021 Scholarship Recipient

Oana Cantacioiu, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, MBA – Specialist Car Maintenance Planning, CP, a LRW Platinum Corporate Partner

 

Oana Cantacioiu, Specialist Car Maintenance Planning, CP, a LRW Platinum Corporate Partner, has been awarded the $3000 USD 2021 Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship. Oana is pursuing an MBA at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary. 

“I am honored to receive the Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship award,” said Cantacioiu. “I am inspired to be a part of the League of Railway Women community and to be surrounded by strong female leaders. This award provides motivation to work hard and continue to grow as a leader with CP. I am grateful and excited for future challenges and opportunities in this dynamic rail industry.”   

Read the press release to learn more about our winner. 
2020 Scholarship Recipient

Megan Forbes, Southern Methodist University, MBA – Operations Manager, TrinityRail, a LRW Silver Corporate Partner

Megan Forbes, Operations Manager, TrinityRail, a LRW Silver Corporate Partner, has been awarded the 2020 Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship. Megan is pursuing a MBA at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. 

“I am honored and humbled to receive the Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship award,” said Forbes. “In seven years, my work in the rail industry and at TrinityRail has helped me become the leader I am today. I am grateful for the opportunities afforded to me, and I am excited as I look to the future of the rail industry and women in rail,” she said.

Read the press release to learn more about our winner. 
2019 Scholarship Recipient

Genevieve Carnes – Georgetown University, Master's in Technology – Railway Alert Network Manager, Association of American Railroads

Genevieve Carnes, Railway Alert Network Manager for the Association of American Railroads (AAR) in Washington, DC, has been named the winner of the 2019 Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship by the League of Railway Women (LRW). 

The scholarship winner was announced by the LRW at its annual conference in Minneapolis, MN, as part of Railway Interchange 2019. 

Following service in the U.S. Air Force and support to the Department of Defense missions for well over an additional eight years, Genevieve Carnes transitioned to the rail industry. For the past four years, Genevieve has served on the security team in the Safety and Operations department at the AAR, as the Railway Alert Network Manager, supporting the Class I freight and passenger railroads throughout North America. 

Read the press release to learn more about our winner. 
2018 Scholarship Recipient

Payton Comazzetto – Thompson Rivers University, First Nations Studies – Assistant Station Manager, Rocky Mountaineer  

Payton Comazzetto, Assistant Station Manager for the Rocky Mountaineer rail tour company in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, has been named the winner of the 2018 Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship by the League of Railway Women (LRW).

The scholarship winner was announced by the LRW at its 2018 annual conference in Nashville. 

Read the press release to learn more about our winner. 
2017 Scholarship Recipient 

Alex Kennedy – Grove City College, Mechanical Engineering – A. Stucki Company

The winner of this year’s $5,000 Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship was Alex Kennedy, son of LRW corporate member Jim Kennedy, Vice President of Engineering, A. Stucki Company.

An intern at A. Stucki Company, Alex learned first-hand many things about the railway supply industry, including the design of freight rail cars and the basic calculations needed to determine the maximum load permitted on each of the side bearings.

Alex is studying mechanical engineering at Grove City College in Grove City, PA.

This annual scholarship is named in memory of former LRW President Connie Sumara. Connie, who was one of the founders of the organization and its longest-serving president, passed away in March 2014. She was a dedicated employee of Chicago Freight Car Leasing Co. (CFCL) for 26 years, beginning her career as office manager and ultimately working her way up to Vice President and Director of Customer Support before retiring in November of 2012.
2016 Scholarship Recipients 

Jacob Hohlfelder – University of Nebraska, Actuarial Science – Miner Enterprises

The winner of this year’s $5,000 scholarship was Jacob Hohlfelder, son of LRW member Ingrid McClure, general marketing manager for Miner Enterprises.

Jacob is a junior at the University of Nebraska and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science.

He won the annual scholarship named in memory of former LRIW President Connie Sumara. Connie, who was one of the founders of the organization and its longest-serving president, passed away in March 2014. She was a dedicated employee of Chicago Freight Car Leasing Co. (CFCL) for 26 years, beginning her career as office manager and ultimately working her way up to Vice President and Director of Customer Support before retiring in November of 2012.

DeAndra Roache – Dominican University, Masters in Conflict Resolution – Amtrak

LRIW member DeAndra Roache won a special $1,000 scholarship of support as authorized by the board. She is a labor relations coordinator at Amtrak and is working toward a master’s degree in conflict resolution from Dominican University. She was very excited and honored by the scholarship.