President's Message

Dear LRW Members & Supporters,

This year, 2023, marks 26 years of the League of Railway Women – during this time, the league has grown tremendously, which truly reflects the advancements made by women in the railroad industry since 1997. From less than 200 individual members in 2017, LRW has expanded to over 2,500 members in 2022, supported by a robust corporate partnership program with 45 companies supporting women in the railroad industry.

 

I’m thrilled to continue our mission of connecting and cultivating women in rail, which promotes diversity and improves the business results of the railroad industry. As LRW President, I’m proud to promote the league’s work to advance the representation, recognition, and opportunities for women in the railroad industry by providing networking opportunities, sponsoring educational activities, and supporting mentoring partnerships. Our team of amazing volunteers has met the growing needs of our community with grace and strength.

 

I’m excited to share that Lisa Tackach (Vice President), Amanda Patrick (Immediate Past President), Emilia Marceta (Secretary) Urszula Soucie (Treasurer) and Anne Whaley (Parliamentarian) join me on our 2022-2023 Executive Committee. Our 2022-2023 Board of Directors includes many wonderful returning directors-at-large, including Erika Bruhnke, Crystal Gitchell, Janet Hoang, Katie Kachel, and Michele Malski, and also welcomes new directors Avalisha Fisher, Linda Hernandez, Christine Kalil, Nicole McKinstry, and Maggie Vuono. I am proud to work with these new board members, who reflect our membership’s diversity of experience and industry knowledge.

 

It is also my pleasure to introduce LRW’s new Executive Director, Kathryn Keeler, and Executive Assistant, Christy Docauer. Both bring years of experience and expertise to the ins-and-outs of running a nonprofit professional organization. Their work has helped transform the focus of our volunteer board, permitting its members to truly shift to strategic planning for the future.

 

If you are a member of LRW, I encourage you to get involved; consider serving on a committee or helping at an event. My own career has been enriched and strengthened by my participation with the league in the last five years– and I’ve made a lot of great friends along the way. Be on the lookout for our Call for Volunteers in the spring to learn more about the different volunteer opportunities at LRW.

If you or your company is not a member and you would like to learn more, please email us at staff@railwaywomen.org or visit railwaywomen.org/membershipbenefits. Our growth has been made possible only by the commitment and support of our corporate partners and their support of the advancement of women in the rail industry. Diversity and inclusion provide a great opportunity to strengthen companies, improve employee performance and productivity, increase competitiveness, and drive-up corporate value. I hope you will consider joining our growing list of corporate partners.

 

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our annual conference in October in conjunction with the Railway Supply Institute’s 2022 Expo & Technical Conference. Please watch your email, social media and our website, www.railwaywomen.org, for additional opportunities to connect with LRW and our membership in 2023.

 

Best,

Sarah Yurasko​

2022-2024 LRW President

syurasko@railwaywomen.org