The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has revealed the three finalists for the prestigious 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking award. Sponsored by Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), this award was established in 2010 to honor and advance female leaders in the trucking industry.
These extraordinary individuals serve as inspiring role models and trailblazers within the trucking industry. The 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking finalists are:
- Tori Blake, CFO and co-owner of Western Logistics Express (WLE) and WLX
- Megan Ferguson, vice president of end-to-end delivery acceleration for Walmart
- Shelley Simpson, president of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.
Tori Blake: Empowering Women and Leading with Passion
Tori Blake is on a mission to mentor and empower women in every aspect of her business. As a key player in financial management, talent acquisition, employee development, and strategic visioning, she has played a vital role in the success of WLX and WLE. Year after year, these companies have been recognized as some of Kansas City’s fastest-growing and best places to work.
Not only that, but Blake’s outstanding contributions have earned her the prestigious title of the Kansas City Business Journal’s 2023 CFO of the year.
But Blake’s journey to success started long before her role as a leader. She honed her skills as an auditor at Ernst & Young, a globally renowned accounting firm. With 16 years of executive experience under her belt, she has a true passion for entrepreneurship and has successfully led various startup companies.
Beyond her professional achievements, Blake has a genuine heart for serving others. She has played a pivotal role in supporting Children’s Mercy Hospital through a heartwarming initiative called Sunshine Taggie, in which patients at the hospital receive handmade blankets from WLX/WLE employees. Additionally, Blake has actively served as a chairwoman of her church board, a dedicated children’s church teacher, and a leader for church mission trips.
Blake’s impact doesn’t stop there – she also finds fulfillment as a coach for two youth sports teams, guiding and mentoring 25 young female athletes each year.
Megan Ferguson: A Leader in Transportation and Merchandise Operations
With over 15 years of experience at Walmart and Sam’s Club, Megan Ferguson is a true expert in transportation operations and strategy, as well as merchandise operations. Starting her journey as a private fleet strategy intern at Walmart in 2007, Ferguson quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the project manager of Walmart’s private fleet strategy after completing her degree in supply chain management at Michigan State University.
Throughout her career, Ferguson has held various leadership positions in transportation, procurement, inventory management, and merchandise operations. Currently, her focus is on bringing Walmart’s delivery strategy to life, making sure always to prioritize the needs of the customers.
Ferguson’s contributions also go beyond her work. She is a dedicated mentor and leader, co-leading Walmart’s Women of Supply Chain Council. She also takes the time to host educational sessions and mentorship circles, continuously growing herself as an active member of Walmart’s Women’s Officer Caucus.
While Ferguson is passionate about advocating for women in the transportation and supply chain industries, her mentorship extends to all associates needing guidance in managing relationships, collaborating with peers, and navigating various business topics. She actively volunteers her time to participate in fireside chats and panel discussions, inspiring other women to step into leadership roles.
Shelley Simpson: A Trailblazer in the Transportation and Logistics Industry
With a 29-year career at J.B. Hunt, Simpson has witnessed and driven the company’s evolution as an innovative leader. Starting as a customer service representative, she has held various key roles across the business, including leading integrated capacity solutions, truckload, customer experience, and highway services.
As chief commercial officer and executive vice president of people and human resources, Simpson has been instrumental in shaping J.B. Hunt’s strategic direction. Notably, she played a pivotal role in developing the groundbreaking freight-matching technology platform J.B. Hunt 360°. Her leadership has also taken the company’s technology-driven services globally through International Services.
Simpson’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Supply Chain by Supply Chain Digital and as one of the Top 100 HR Professionals by the National Diversity Council. Additionally, she has received prestigious awards such as the Woman of the Year in Innovation from the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and the Excellence in Free Enterprise Award from Economics Arkansas.
There will be a panel discussion at the WIT Accelerate! Conference & Expo planned for Nov. 5-8, 2023, in Dallas. The winner will be announced after the panel discussion on Tues, Nov. 7 at 10:15 a.m. CST.
Source: The Trucker
