2025 NRC ANNUAL CONFERENCE & NRC-REMSA EXHIBITION
Join LRW as we present our Woman of the Year award and for two educational presentations:
Maximizing Opportunities: WBE/DBE Goals in the Rail Industry
Through open dialogue with an informed panel of industry experts, we will discuss best practices for achieving diversity benchmarks in rail project procurement.
Topics will include navigating the challenges of meeting regulatory requirements on federally funded contracts, enhancing supplier diversity and creating partnerships that benefit both the prime contractor and certified WBE/DBEs. Attendees will gain insight on the increasing demands of meeting these goals and have the opportunity to engage with panelists through an interactive Q&A.
Leading with Purpose: How to Attract, Retain, and Grow the Next Generation of Railroaders
This panel discussion will thoroughly analyze current railroad workforce trends and provide valuable insights into effective strategies for attracting and retaining top talent, particularly during times of organizational change. Join us for an engaging discussion on long-term talent acquisition and retention strategies, the consequences of losing top talent, navigating change within our organizations and industry, and the role of leadership in driving success.
We will address key questions such as why talent is leaving the industry, how HR and Leadership teams can best support new hires and those seeking career advancement, and the importance of strong leadership from within. Additionally, we will explore challenges that organizations may encounter and how leaders can effectively address them with confidence and precision. Gain valuable insights into what recruiters are seeking in today's talent pool and hear from a diverse group of industry leaders as they tackle these complex issues and more.
Moderators
Michele Malski - Moderator
Founder and President, SPRING
Michele Malski, a second-generation railroader, graduated from Cornell University with a major in Industrial Labor Relations and obtained her MBA with Quantic School of Business and Technology in Washington, DC. Malski also retains a certification in Inclusion and Diversity from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). Throughout her education, she focused her experience in rail early on with various rail internships with Bombardier Transportation in Berlin, Germany, the Government Relations team with Amtrak in Washington, DC, as well as the Human Resources department with Norfolk Southern, in Norfolk, VA.
She began her career learning from the ground up. She started as a Management Trainee with BNSF, becoming a Trainmaster on the Montana Division in Minot, North Dakota. Michele preceded her experience with Canadian Pacific as a Division Trainmaster in Binghamton, NY, spanning a territory of over 400 miles. From CP, Michele pursued an opportunity to learn more about passenger way of life with Bombardier Transportation in Baltimore, MD. Malski then joined the ASLRRA’s Short Line Safety Institute where she led the team’s educational programs and hazmat training. Michele is now the Founder and President of Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation or SPRING, a recruiting and retention organization dedicated to rail industry employers. She continues to dedicate her energy to helping the rail renaissance find the next generation of railroaders.
Arielle Giordano
Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs for U.S. operations at G & W
Jim Hansen
CCO of Herzog
Speakers
Andrea Oswald
General Director, Strategic Sourcing, Union Pacific
Andrea Oswald is the General Director – Strategic Sourcing at Union Pacific Railroad, a position she has held since July 2023. In her position, Oswald and her team source materials and services for locomotives, railcars, intermodal/automotive ramps, and maintenance & repair operations (MRO), which totals ~$2.3 billion in annual spending. In addition, Oswald manages the procurement team’s sustainability initiatives and serves as a liaison to the corporate Sustainability team.
Oswald began her career with Union Pacific in 2003. She held positions throughout the Finance Department including in Corporate Audit, Capital Planning, and Accounting before moving to the Supply Chain Department in December 2019. While in Supply Chain, she led the Supplier Diversity program and grew diverse supplier spending nearly 100% during her tenure to over $800 million. She is a graduate of UP’s Leadership Development Program and is an active member of LEAD, UP’s women’s initiative.
Outside of Union Pacific, Oswald serves on the Dean’s Young Alumni Board of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business and the Omaha Children’s Museum Board of Directors.
Oswald graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband Ryan and daughters Lauren (11) and Sloane (9), reading, playing golf, and dominating her fantasy football leagues.
Maggie Vuono
President, TraConcepts, LLC.
Maggie embarked on her railway career nineteen years ago with the Rail Division of the LB Foster Company. Over the years, she has held various roles in Sales, Marketing, and Operations within the railroad industry, working with notable companies such as Atlas Railroad Construction, RailWorks, Holland, and RailPod. Her efforts have significantly contributed to increasing sales and expanding client portfolios, including adding over 50 clients at one organization.
In 2023, Maggie launched TraConcepts, a consulting firm specializing in Marketing and Business Development. TraConcepts provides a range of services to Contractors, Manufacturers, and Railroads, including Market Research, Contract Management, Grant Writing, and Diversity Management. The firm is also certified in 23 states for Diversity (D/W/M/SBE). Maggie established TraConcepts to deliver substantial value to the industry, particularly in meeting evolving Diversity goals, leveraging her extensive experience.
As an accomplished leader, Maggie boasts a track record of delivering results through effective operational and project management. She excels in mediation, business development, revenue growth, and cost reduction without compromising performance or quality. Known for her exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, Maggie is dedicated to her clients with a strong work ethic and self-motivation.
Maggie serves as a Board Member and as the Scholarship & Education Chair for the NRC and is active in AREMA, ASLRRA, and LRW. She holds a BA in Marketing and an MS in Business & Leadership.
In her leisure time, Maggie enjoys beach outings, kayaking, and golfing with her husband, Mark. She is part of a blended family with seven children and eleven grandchildren. Maggie is also a dedicated church volunteer and has been involved with Autism Speaks for over 20 years.
The 2025 NRC Annual Conference will be held at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida, January 5 through 8, 2025.
