NFI’s SheDrives program empowers women in the trucking industry while fostering a community where drivers feel valued and supported.

For Ebony, a CDL spotter working with NFI, this initiative has provided more than just career growth—it’s given her a sense of belonging and a better balance between her job and home life.

“I’m excited to be a part of the SheDrives initiative because I’ve never been part of a company that actually includes its drivers,” Ebony said. “As a female driver, I came from over-the-road (OTR) driving before I joined NFI. Now, I’m local to home, which means I get to be at home with my kids every night—which is awesome.”

From Healthcare to Trucking

Ebony’s career path has been far from conventional. She began as a nurse, working in the field for a decade. Afterward, she transitioned to roles in a food production plant and later as a heavy machine mechanic—both environments traditionally dominated by men.

Her ambition to break the mold led her to set her sights on earning a CDL and exploring opportunities in trucking. Initially, Ebony’s male colleagues doubted her ability to thrive as a truck driver. Instead of discouraging her, their skepticism fueled her determination.

Ebony earned her CDL and started her OTR career, proving her capabilities and silencing the critics. When she discovered an opportunity with NFI as a CDL spotter, she saw the chance to achieve a meaningful work-life balance and jumped at it.

Better Work-Life Balance and a Supportive Culture

At NFI, Ebony discovered a flexible schedule that not only aligns with her professional goals but also allows her to spend more time with her family. The company’s commitment to supporting employees in balancing their work and personal lives stood out to Ebony.

Her supervisor, Brice B., has seen firsthand how dedicated Ebony is to her role. “Ebony was a great hire for 858 as a spotter in Topeka at the bakery,” Brice shared. “She has a high level of ownership of her job and takes great pride in it. She does whatever is asked and even offers possible solutions to issues when they arise. She’s one of the hardest workers we have.”

Brice emphasized NFI’s employee-first mindset as a driving force behind its culture. “Here at 858, we strive to make employees the main focus and always try to put family first,” he said. “

For Ebony, this support system has been invaluable. “It has been exciting to be included as a driver, to be taken care of as a driver, and to be treated like family by my bosses and my co-workers,” she said. “We are a little family.”

A Community That Elevates Women

The SheDrives program does more than reinforce NFI’s inclusive culture—it also creates a platform for women in trucking to connect, share experiences, and uplift each other.

“I like seeing people like myself at NFI,” Ebony said. At a recent SheDrives meeting, it was nice to be able to share similar stories and experiences with other female drivers.

Ebony’s experience has served as a testament to NFI’s dedication to its people, from fostering community to upholding family values. “Some companies say they value family, but it’s not that way once you’re hired,” she said. “This is the first company in over 25 years of working that makes me feel that way.”

Empowering Women to Thrive in Trucking

Ebony hopes more women will take the leap into the trucking industry and is confident that programs like SheDrives will pave the way. Her advice for women aspiring to join the field is simple yet powerful:

“Don’t listen to naysayers,” she said. “Have confidence in yourself. Not only are females capable, but they can be exceptional!”

For Ebony, the support from NFI and SheDrives has been instrumental in her success.

“I’m glad I made this transition to NFI,” she said. “If I decide to go back over the road, I can do that with NFI. That’s the most exciting thing—I don’t have to go to another company. I can just let my bosses know and see if they have any routes available.”

Though she’s still relatively new to the company, Ebony is optimistic about what’s ahead. “From what I’ve seen so far—and what they have to offer—I’m excited and I’m glad to be here,” she concluded.

NFI’s commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for drivers like Ebony demonstrates why they’re a standout in the trucking and transportation industry.

Source: The Trucker

The post Ebony Speaks on How NFI and the SheDrives Initiative Have Redefined Her Career appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

For seven years, Leon hesitated to pursue a trucking career, opting instead to work at a Toys R Us warehouse. Each year, the company offered select employees the chance to train for their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and each time, Leon held back. However, in her seventh year, she boldly declared to her husband, “I’m just gonna do it,” and embarked on her trucking journey without looking back.

Now a seasoned driver at 4Gen Logistics, Leon navigates California’s ports, traveling approximately 100,000 miles annually. Her initial foray into trucking was daunting; her first drive for Toys R Us took 10 hours without a cell phone or GPS, and she frequently received incorrect directions from clerks. Despite this challenging start, Leon found freedom and a reprieve from the repetitive warehouse routine. “I can go to the same port every single day for a month and it’s something different,” she shared.

Leon was nominated for the Road Warrior award by her daughter, Jessica Beasley, who highlighted Leon’s unwavering dedication to her roles as a driver, mother, and grandmother. “She can work so hard at her job and she is so dedicated, but she is also dedicated as a mother and a grandmother,” Beasley said tearfully. “She balances it all and is the matriarch of our family. I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”

Reflecting on her career, Leon noted that she was one of only four women drivers at Toys R Us when she started, often encountering skepticism from male colleagues. Yet, she now sees more women taking on driving roles and other positions at ports, some of whom seek her advice about entering the profession. Despite standing just 5-foot-3, her toughness and ambition have always shone through. “She’s so ambitious,” Beasley praised. “She just kept doing what she loved doing. She rose above and continued to do what she loves.”

Leon encourages more women to consider trucking, a career she wholeheartedly endorses. “If I could do it, they can do it,” she affirmed, echoing the sentiments of the Women In Trucking Association, which reports that women comprise about 12% of CDL holders. Her passion for trucking has even influenced her son, who now drives for Amazon and often seeks her counsel.

In addition to the grand prize, Leon received another $1,000 from the Pilot contest. She plans to use the funds for home improvements and possibly a vacation with her husband. Until then, she remains committed to the road, embodying the spirit and resilience of a true Road Warrior.

Source: Freightwaves

Image: Pilot Flying J

The post From Warehouse Worker to Pilot’s Road Warrior, Liz Leon’s Story appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.