WIT is encouraging eligible companies to complete a confidential survey that gathers workforce data on women employed in a range of roles, including leadership, operational, and professional driving positions. The information collected will be used to produce the 2026–27 WIT Index, which is published every two years.

What the WIT Index measures

The WIT Index serves as an industry barometer that measures and tracks the percentage of women working in key transportation roles. Those roles include corporate management, functional positions, and professional truck drivers holding commercial driver’s licenses.

WIT said the updated Index will continue to provide a consistent way for the industry to evaluate progress and identify long-term workforce trends related to women’s participation.

Who is invited to participate

The association is inviting a broad range of transportation organizations to submit data, including:

• For-hire trucking companies
• Private fleets
• Transportation intermediaries
• Railroads
• Ocean carriers
• Equipment manufacturers
• Technology companies

Companies are asked to report the percentage of women employed in various workforce categories. WIT emphasized that all data will be kept strictly confidential and reported only as aggregated totals.

An authorized company representative must complete survey submissions.

Survey timeline and participation benefits

The survey is currently live and will remain open through April 17, 2026. Companies can submit their data online at womenintrucking.org/index.

Organizations that participate will receive an executive summary of the 2026–27 WIT Index at no cost. WIT said the summary allows companies to benchmark their own hiring and talent management practices involving women against broader industry data.

Why the data matters

WIT President and CEO Jennifer Hedrick said the Index plays a critical role in providing reliable, data-driven insight into workforce participation trends.

“Monitoring women’s involvement in a male-populated industry like transportation is critical so that statistically valid data can be used to evaluate progress made in this area,” said Jennifer Hedrick, CAE, president and CEO of WIT. “The association created the WIT Index in 2016 to monitor the industry’s progress in women’s involvement among key roles, including corporate leaders and supervisors, technicians, safety directors, human resources, dispatchers, and professional truck drivers.”

Highlights from the most recent WIT Index

The most recent 2024–25 WIT Index showed a notable presence of women in leadership and governance roles across the industry.

According to WIT’s findings:

• About 28% of C-suite and executive positions were held by women
• 34.5% of supervisory leadership roles were held by women
• 29.5% of board of director positions were held by women

For the first time, the 2024–25 Index also reported the percentage of professional truck drivers with CDLs who are women, segmented by company size.

Women CDL driver representation by company size

The data showed variations based on workforce size:

• Micro and small companies with fewer than 500 employees reported that 12.5% of their CDL-holding professional drivers were women
• Medium and large enterprises with 500 to 4,999 employees reported that approximately 10.5% of their CDL driver workforce was women
• Major enterprises with more than 5,000 employees reported that approximately 7% of their CDL driver population was women

WIT said collecting updated data in the current survey cycle will help the industry better understand how these figures are shifting over time and where additional focus may be needed.

The association encourages eligible companies to participate to ensure the next WIT Index reflects a comprehensive and accurate snapshot of today’s transportation workforce.

Source: Truckers News

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Source: Women In Trucking

The Impact of WITney® at Industry Events

Did you know that in 2024, the WITney® Educational Trailer traveled to 40 events? Nearly 7,500 visitors—primarily women and girls—stopped by to explore the many career opportunities available in trucking. From job fairs and community events to corporate gatherings and major industry conferences, WITney® has become an essential part of WIT’s mission.

Beyond WITney®, WIT’s President & CEO, Jennifer Hedrick, plays an active role in industry events, speaking and networking to further the organization’s mission. The goal is clear: educate, motivate, and inspire more women to enter trucking while also supporting those already in the industry by addressing challenges like work-life balance and gender bias.

Where You’ll Find WIT

Before committing to an event, WIT carefully evaluates its alignment with the organization’s mission and its potential reach. Once confirmed, the WIT team collaborates closely with event hosts to maximize impact.

One of the biggest annual events WIT attends is the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), held each March at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ken. As the largest trucking event in North America, MATS attracts more than 50,000 attendees and 870 exhibitors. WIT makes a strong presence at this event with both a booth and WITney®, strategically placed at a high-traffic location to engage women, girls, and allies interested in trucking careers.

WITney® isn’t just a mobile exhibit—it’s an interactive experience featuring:

• Educational kiosks covering Trucking 101, industry myths, FAQs, and a career quiz
• A wall mural showcasing WIT’s milestones since its inception in 2007
• Headset kiosks where visitors can hear inspiring HERstories from female truckers
• A female trucker uniform display featuring essential workwear and safety gear
• A state-of-the-art driver simulator that lets attendees experience truck driving in various weather and road conditions

Each year at MATS, WIT also hosts the highly anticipated Salute to Women Behind the Wheel, a celebration that honors and recognizes female truck drivers for their dedication and success in the industry.

WIT at the Food Shippers Conference

Another major event WIT attended this year was the 2025 Annual Food Shippers Conference, hosted by Food Shippers of America from March 2 to 4 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, Cali. Over 1,300 supply chain, transportation, and logistics professionals were in attendance.

Representing WIT at the conference were Jennifer Hedrick, Carleen Herndon (Member Services & Sales), Cassidy Mullins (Conference & Management), and Brian Everett (Content & Strategy). Their goal was to promote WIT’s mission and encourage greater female participation in the industry. WITney® was also present outside the conference center, helping to generate awareness about trucking career opportunities for women.

Special thanks to Walmart professional drivers Krista Cardoso and Vivian Gonzalez, who transported WITney® to the event and staffed the trailer.

Navigating WITney® into the venue’s parking lot was no small feat due to tight spaces and obstacles. “It was incredibly impressive,” said Hedrick, describing how the driver maneuvered WITney® through a difficult right turn surrounded by large rocks. “She navigated a really tight right turn coming out of the main entrance to the hotel that was lined with large rocks on all sides, really limiting her space to maneuver.”

“This roundabout at the front was filled with cars coming in and out, and she waited a long while for a clearing to begin turning,” Hedrick continued. “Then more cars, so she was doing all of this in front of a backup of cars and handled it so well.”

Want to Book WIT for an Event?

WIT is a trusted authority on women’s opportunities in trucking, offering insights, data, and best practices on industry trends. Their team regularly speaks at public and corporate events, trade shows, and even ride-alongs.

If you’re interested in having WIT at your next event, complete a Booking Request Form to explore potential opportunities!

Source: Women In Trucking

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Kirsy O., a dedicated driver recruitment manager at NFI Industries, brings over a decade of experience in trucking to the She Drives initiative. She’s a passionate advocate for creating opportunities for women in logistics and transportation, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, communication, and community. Her hands-on approach is helping transform the industry into a more supportive space for women drivers.

Kirsy believes that fostering diversity is about more than buzzwords—it’s about meaningful action. As she explained during a recent podcast appearance, NFI is building a culture where women can thrive both professionally and personally. “You need to make sure that you have a seat at the table and that you’re talking about what is important to you,” Kirsy shared. Through She Drives, this vision is becoming a reality by offering a platform for open conversations and actionable change.

One of the standout efforts Kirsy highlighted was NFI’s recent health and wellness event, where a mobile mammogram unit was brought to one of their terminals. This initiative provided a vital service not only for women drivers but also for other employees in transportation. “It’s way bigger than what we think,” Kirsy said, emphasizing that addressing the needs of drivers means going beyond the basics to support their overall well-being.

When it comes to recruitment, Kirsy knows the questions women are asking: Can I do this job and still care for my family? Her answer is an enthusiastic yes. NFI prioritizes family-friendly scheduling, with about 90% of their fleet offering roles that allow drivers to be home every day. Kirsy and her team actively ensure transparency, letting drivers know what to expect and addressing their concerns directly. “You owe it to them to let them know exactly where they’re going and what challenges they might face,” she said.

At the core of She Drives is a commitment to building a supportive network where women drivers can share resources and advice. Kirsy shared how this community is vital in helping drivers navigate their day-to-day lives. From discussing safe rest stops to balancing work and home life, She Drives fosters connections that empower drivers to succeed on their own terms.

As Kirsy puts it, “Not everything is one-size-fits-all. We need to find out what’s important to you and take it from there.”

To hear more from Kirsy O. and learn about her inspiring work with the She Drives initiative, tune in to her full interview here.

To learn more about the She Drives initiative and opportunities at NFI Industries, visit nfiindustries.com.

The post How Kirsy O. and She Drives Empower Women in Trucking appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.