Previous Recipients
Each year, the League of Railway Women honors a Member of the Year, either individually or corporately, who has contributed their time and talents to improving the mission of LRW.
Previous Recipients:
2023 Shundrekia Stewart, Trinity Industries
2022 Erica Sander, Aristotle
2021 Michele Malski, Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation (SPRING)
2020 Patricia Basuel, Wi-Tronix LLC
2019 Mallory Moran, The Greenbrier Companies
2018 Emilia Marceta, Metrolinx
2017 Kathee Fisk, GE Transportation
2016 Claire Tomlinson, L.B. Foster Rail Technologies Corp.
2015 Carol Steckbeck, Independent Media Consultant
2014 Amanda Trainor Patrick, Railway Supply Institute
2013 Kaleigh Reyes, GE Transportation
2012 Kathy Keeney, UBM Global
2011 Barbara Tumlin, Trinity Parts & Components
2010 Nancy Cieslak, Pittsburgh Pins
2010 Jessica Kramer Havens, Diesel Supply Company
2009 Victoria Anderson-Lytton, TTX Company
2009 Wendy Pickering, Gunderson
2008 Grace “Alex” Pascoe, Trinity Parts & Components
2007 Connie Sumara, Chicago Freight Car Leasing
2006 Victoria Bowermaster, A. Stucki
2005 Carol Weekley, BNSF
2004 Kelly Case, Control Chief
2003 Tracy DeLeon, CIT
2002 Victoria Anderson-Lytton, TTX Company
2001 Carol Brinkman
2000 Ann Zuhn, Texas Tank Car Works
1999 Pat Aubrey
1998 Gloria Ethridge, New York Air Brake
Please contact awards@railwaywomen.org for more information.
LRW Director-At-Large and Membership Committee Chair Shundrekia Stewart named 2023 LRW Member of the Year
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Shundrekia Stewart, LRW 2023 'Member of the Year' Director, Customer Delivery Operations, Trinity Industries The 2023 LRW Member of the Year Award was presented to Shundrekia Stewart of TrinityRail. Shundrekia’s impressive 31 year career in the rail industry includes 27 years in a variety of roles with BNSF and the last four years with TrinityRail, currently as the Director of Sales - Energy. She has been an active member of the LRW since 2019 and has served as the Membership Committee Chair since 2022. In the role as Membership Committee Chair, Shundrekia’s dedication to the LRW mission has contributed greatly to the growth and sustainability of the organization with our members and business partners. Within Trinity, Shundrekia is the co-leader of the “Women of Trinity” ERG and is a strong advocate for the rail industry and is dedicated to the success of those around her. She serves on the Advisory Committee for the Girls Scouts of America and recently hosted several Girl Scouts and staff for an event at the TrinityHQ, showcasing careers within TrinityRail, manufacturing and STEM. Her leader, Michael Frey, SVP energy, construction & metals, submitted Shundrekia’s nomination and summed it up by saying, “Shundrekia truly deserves this recognition, as she lives the values and mission of the LRW every day!” We could not agree more! Congratulations Shundrekia and thank you for working so tirelessly to advance women in rail! |
LRW Secretary & Aristotle VP, Government Relations Erica Sander named 2022 LRW Member of the Year
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Erica Sander, LRW 2022 'Member of the Year' The League of Railway Women (LRW) is happy to announce this year’s member of the year Erica Sander, LRW Secretary and Vice President, Government Relatons at Aristotle. "Erica has played a cri cal role in the success of LRW these past few years and we are ever grateful. Her role on the LRW Executive Committee helped us strategically navigate the pandemic and grow our organiztion during a challenging time. The rail industry is better because of her leadership and vision," said Amanda Trainor Patrick, LRW Immediate Past President. |
LRW Director-At-Large & SPRING Founder and President Michele Malski named 2021 LRW Member of the Year
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Michele Malski, LRW 2021 'Member of the Year' The League of Railway Women (LRW) is happy to announce this year’s member of the year Michele Malski, LRW Director-At-Large and Founder and President of Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation (SPRING). “Since joining the LRW Board of Directors in 2019, Michele has brought her enthusiastic and inspired passion for the rail industry to every part of our organization,” said Amanda Trainor Patrick, LRW President. “From hosting our entertaining industry-renowned social sessions to supporting the development of our mentorship program to enhancing our annual conference program, Michele’s contributions have elevated the LRW with our membership.” Michele is a second-generation railroader, who founded SPRING to help recruit next generation railroaders for employers and helps them retain their skilled talent through various custom training and mentorship programs. Her inspiration to start her own business came from her father who had mentored her from the start to follow her passion in connecting others within this industry. As her father had done for her, Michele now does the same for others and helps guide career seekers and next generation candidates who are looking to make a change in their lives and a follow a path less traveled - a path within the railroad industry. Read more about our winner here. |
Wi-Tronix LLC's Patricia Basuel Named LRW's 2020 'Member of the Year'
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Patricia Basuel, LRW 2020 'Member of the Year' The 2020 LRW Member of the Year was presented to Patricia Basuel, LRW Events Chair and User Experience Manager, Wi-Tronix LLC, by Lisa Tackach, LRW Awards Chair and Amanda Patrick, LRW President, during the LRW Annual Membership Meeting held virtually on November 10, 2020. “When we decided to make this year’s annual conference a virtual event, Patricia was ready to do whatever it took to make it happen. She lead the charge in researching the best online conference platform and kept the board involved every step of the way. Through her leadership and enthusiasm, she brought this event to life, and worked tirelessly with her #committee to put together a week of enriching sessions, filled with a myriad of diverse industry panelists,” said Lisa Tackach, LRW Awards Chair. “Patricia joined the board mere months ago, and quickly took the reins in planning this conference. We are so grateful for her efforts, talents and especially her marketing and design prowess. This award is token of our appreciation for all of her hard work.” |
The Greenbrier Companies' Mallory Moran Named LRW's 2019 'Member of the Year'
Pictured: (l-r) Amanda Trainor Patrick, LRW Vice President, Mallory Moran, LRW Member of the Year, and Tanis Peterson, LRW President |
Mallory Moran, LRW 2019 'Member of the Year' The 2019 LRW Member of the Year was presented to Mallory Moran, Marketing Communications Manager, The Greenbrier Companies, by Tanis Peterson, LRW President and Amanda Trainor Patrick, LRW Vice President at the LRW Annual Membership Meeting held during Railway Interchange 2019 in Minneapolis, MN on September 24. |
Metrolinx's Emilia Marceta Named LRW's 2018 'Outstanding Member of the Year'
Pictured: (l-r) Tanis Peterson, LRW President with Outstanding Member of the Year, Emilia Marceta |
Emilia Marceta, LRW 2018 'Outstanding Member of the Year' The 2018 LRW Outstanding Member of the Year was awarded to Emilia Marceta, Project Coordinator, Signals & Communications, Network Infrastructure, Metrolinx and LRW Public Relations and Outreach Chair, by Tanis Peterson, LRW President at the Annual Membership Meeting held during the RSI/CMA 2018 Rail Expo & Technical Conference in Nashville, TN on September 11. Read more about our winner here. |
GE Transporation's Kathee Fisk Name Named LRIW's 2017 'Outstanding Member of the Year'
Kathee Fisk, LRIW 2017 'Outstanding Member of the Year'
Kathee Fisk, Senior Customer Support Engineer, GE Transportation, was named the 2017 Outstanding Woman of the Year at this year's annual membership meeting held at Railway Interchange.
A well-respected member of the LRIW, Kathee has been involved in the LRIW for over 13 years, most recently completing a successful term as membership chair and commencing her new role as director.
"Kathee is a dedicated member of the LRIW and an asset to our board of directors," said LRIW Past President Jodi Heldt. "Her devotion to her work as membership chair has been profound. She is often the first point of contact for our new members - a role which she embraces with her genuine soft-spoken kindness and grace, as she welcomes women to the LRIW."
It is Kathee's profound industry insight that has truly shaped her vision for the LRIW in "creating a place for women to network and build lasting relationships, inside and outside of their own areas of expertise."
Kathee earned her railway acumen through her many years working in the industry. Starting her career as a general agent for the Ontario Midland Railroad in Sodus, NY, she went on to become office manager for the newly created Finger Lakes Railway in Geneva, NY, in July 1995, and was part of the start-up team.
In June 2007, Kathee moved to Atlanta, to accept a role in customer support with Railcar Management (RMI), predecessor to GE Transportation. In her current role with GE Transportation, she is responsible for managing car hire payables and interline revenue settlement for several client railroads.
To further enhance her appreciation for the industry and to stay up-to-date with current industry trends, Kathee is a company representative for various railway industry committees and is a member of the American Railway Development Association (ARDA).
Kathee was raised in Marion, New York located between Rochester and Syracuse, and Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes. When Kathee isn't visiting family in New York, you will find her researching her family's history as an amateur genealogist or competing in a half-marathon - she's completed four to date in three different states, AZ, FL and NY.
LB Foster Rail Technologies Corp.’s Claire Tomlinson Named LRIW’s 2016 ‘Outstanding Member of the Year’
Claire Tomlinson, LRIW 2016 ‘Outstanding Member of the Year’It’s been a busy year for Claire Tomlinson, Office Manager for LB Foster Rail Technologies Corp. in Burnaby, British Columbia. The Canadian joined LRIW a year ago, was elected to the position of Events Chair on the LRIW board and immediately started making a difference in the organization. In recognition of her efforts, she was named the 2016 Member of the Year by Jodi Heldt, LRIW President at the Annual Members Meeting at the 2016 RSI/CMA Rail Expo & Technical Conference in Omaha, Nebraska on October 3, 2016..
The LRIW Member of the Year Award honors members who among other strengths, demonstrate a passion for the rail industry, dedication to leadership and support for the personal and professional growth of women in the rail industry, with a continued volunteer commitment to LRIW over the past year. The Award is traditionally presented at the annual membership meeting as a surprise to the recipient. Claire made a short acceptance speech after being named as this year’s recipient and then resumed her role with the conference program.
Excelling in her role as Event Chair, Tomlinson organized the LRIW’s spring Railroad Day on the Hill reception in Washington, DC, and led her committee in planning the program for LRIW’s Annual Conference in Omaha in October. Planning the successful two-day conference involved inviting speakers, finding new sponsors, and coordinating two off-site events, a walking tour of downtown Omaha and a special tour of the Union Pacific headquarters and Harriman Dispatch Center.
Amanda Patrick, LRIW Secretary and Vice President of Trade Shows & Member Relations with the Railway Supply Institute, who nominated Tomlinson for the award, said, “It can be daunting to join a board not knowing much about the organization, but since day one Claire has been curious and eager to help improve events for LRIW.
“I continue to be impressed by her work ethic on a volunteer board and her commitment to women in our industry in general. She has the enthusiasm needed to move LRIW to a new level. In particular, I’ve been struck by her willingness to step up and improve LRIW – she is almost fearless in her efforts,” Patrick stated.
Tomlinson is an administrator with 20 years of combined experience in culinary arts, travel, legal, client services, customer support, Human Resources and administrative arenas. She recently celebrated 10 years with LB Foster, where she provides administrative support to high-level executives, coordinating communication and efficiency throughout the company, and also acts as an HR liaison for the company’s Burnaby office. Over her 20-year career, she has held various positions including payroll and permits and licensing clerk, client service support, chef, travel agent, legal assistant, executive assistant and office manager.
Tomlinson attended Capilano University and the Culinary Arts program at Vancouver Community College, where she unleashed her inner chef. She began her career with the City of Vancouver, then worked in professional kitchens in Europe. Upon her return to Vancouver she branched into the travel business and then transitioned into the legal field before finding her home in 2006 with Kelsan Technologies (which was bought by LB Foster) as an executive assistant. She celebrated 10 years this July with LB Foster. She resides in North Vancouver with her husband and two daughters.
Independent Media Consultant, Carol Steckbeck Named LRIW’s 2015 ‘Outstanding Member of the Year’
2015 LRIW Outstanding Member of the Year – Carol Steckbeck, Independent Media Consultant
Pictured: (l-r) Susan Robertson and Kaleigh Reyes, LRIW Board Members with the Outstanding Member of the Year, Carol Steckbeck
LRIW announced Carol Steckbeck, a media consultant for the Railway Supply Institute and exhibition sponsorship manager for Railway Interchange 2015, as the Outstanding Member of the Year.
Carol has been such a huge help to LRIW this year,” said Amanda Patrick, LRIW Secretary, “from sending out press releases, promoting us through social media, to helping with our annual conference agenda. She’s really gone the extra mile to improve the visibility of our organization. We are thankful for her help and expertise.”
Carol is an independent media consultant for the Railway Supply Institute, Railway Interchange and Operation Lifesaver Inc. Her experience in the industry goes back to her time at the Association of American Railroads when she worked in the communications department.