In an insightful conversation on She Drives with Radio Nemo, Angela and Kirsy from NFI shared the passion and purpose behind their groundbreaking initiative, “She Drives.” Focused on fostering opportunities for women in trucking, the campaign is redefining perceptions and empowering women to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

What is She Drives?

Launched in 2018, She Drives is NFI’s bold campaign to increase visibility for women in trucking. As Kirsy, NFI’s Driver Recruitment Manager, explained, the program’s mission is multi-faceted:

• Celebrating women drivers and their achievements.
• Providing a platform to share their unique stories.
• Redefining industry connections by addressing the needs and aspirations of women drivers.
• Promoting a female-friendly work environment that fosters growth and long-term success.

Challenging Stereotypes in Trucking

Angela highlighted how her initial exposure to trucking shattered preconceived notions. “People stereotype truck drivers as always being out on the road with no time for family or kids. That’s just not the case here,” she emphasized. NFI’s commitment to flexibility allows drivers to balance their professional and personal lives effectively.

Kirsy shared the campaign’s broader vision: “We’re not just focusing on women—our goal is to address the driver shortage by attracting people from all walks of life while fostering diversity.”

Progress and Goals

The She Drives campaign has already made significant strides. In 2022, women represented just over 4% of drivers at NFI. By the end of 2023, that number had more than doubled to 9%, with an ambitious target of reaching 12% in 2024.

This growth stems from NFI’s dedication to listening and adapting. “We meet with women drivers to understand their experiences—what they love, what they don’t—and use that feedback to make meaningful changes,” Kirsy explained.

Building Visibility and Community

Angela emphasized the importance of showcasing women’s stories. “We’re traveling to terminals, gathering testimonials, and sharing these stories on social media and our website. Visibility is key—every woman should see herself in this industry.”

One particularly inspiring moment occurred at the Transition Trucking event in Washington, D.C., where a female driver, whose mother had also been a trucker, won a new Kenworth truck. Witnessing her daughter’s excitement to follow in her footsteps was a powerful reminder of the generational impact She Drives hopes to create.

Upcoming Initiatives

NFI is planning events to celebrate and promote the trucking industry, including family-focused gatherings and Mother’s Day celebrations. These initiatives aim to highlight the diverse opportunities available in trucking and inspire the next generation of drivers.

A Vision for the Future

Angela and Kirsy’s unwavering dedication to She Drives reflects NFI’s commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive industry. “We’re 200% committed to making this happen,” Angela affirmed. “This isn’t just about asking for space—it’s about showing the industry that it needs us.”

To hear more from Angela and Kirsy, catch their full episode of She Drives here.

The post Empowering Women in Trucking: Angela and Kirsy Share Insights on NFI’s She Drives Initiative appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

In this episode of She Drives on Radio Nemo, Kaitlyn Cambria, Recruitment Marketing Manager at NFI Industries, shared insights into her work fostering an inclusive environment for women in trucking. As a proud dog owner of a two-year-old German Shepherd named Basil, Kaitlyn’s personal stories add a unique touch to her professional mission at NFI. But her focus on creating a safe, supportive community for drivers is what truly sets NFI apart.

Building a Culture of Safety for Women Drivers at NFI

Kaitlyn emphasized NFI’s dedication to safety, explaining how the company works diligently to ensure that women drivers feel secure on the road. The approach goes beyond standard measures, offering 24/7 dispatch support for drivers and ensuring they have the tools to navigate each route with peace of mind.

For example, Kaitlyn shared a story about an NFI driver on a route who needed to stop and use the restroom. She was able to stay on the phone with her dispatcher until she was safely inside. It’s these small but impactful gestures that help women drivers feel protected and supported, knowing they are part of a team that truly cares.

Listening and Adapting: NFI’s Recruitment Strategy

As part of their commitment to supporting women, NFI also has an initiative with a focus group of women drivers from the East Coast, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. This group meets regularly to discuss issues specific to women in trucking and provides valuable feedback on how to improve the driving experience at NFI. Kaitlyn explained that this focus group is “a wide variety of women between, you know, being with the company for a short period of time or a long period of time… they are feeling that their ideas are coming into play, and their company is listening.”

This feedback loop is crucial for fostering a community where women drivers feel heard and valued, and their ideas are actively contributing to company policies.

Kaitlyn also explained that NFI relies heavily on feedback from current drivers to guide its recruitment efforts and policies. According to her, listening to the experiences of existing drivers is a key part of attracting new talent. She stated, “The one thing that I do and what my team does is listen to current drivers that we have… that’s what we can put in the forefront between our marketing, making sure we have the correct stories that will resonate with other females.”

A Commitment to Women in Trucking

Through its commitment to listening to female drivers and creating a supportive environment, NFI is setting a new standard for women in the trucking industry. By prioritizing both recruitment and retention, NFI aims to continue fostering a sense of community and safety for women drivers.

For more information about career opportunities with NFI, visit drivennfi.com and be sure to tune into Kaitlyn’s episode here.

The post Creating a Community for Women in Trucking: Kaitlyn Cambria Shares NFI’s Vision on She Drives appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Sisters of the Road: A Woman Driver’s Life in Trucking

Podcast: SupplyChainBrain

In this engaging episode, Idella Hansen shares her story of becoming a truck driver at a young age, eventually building a 50-year career behind the wheel. At 75, she reflects on her experiences — from the highs and lows to her thoughts on what makes a great cup of coffee. Photographer Anne Marie Michel joins her, discussing her book Sisters of the Road, which celebrates women in trucking with powerful portraits and stories. Hosted by Bob Bowman of SupplyChainBrain, this episode offers listeners a unique glimpse into the lives of women on the road. Listen to their inspiring conversation here.

Empowering Female Truck Drivers: Evelyn Guajardo’s Mission at NFI on She Drives

Podcast: She Drives on Radio Nemo

Evelyn Guajardo, Recruiting Manager at NFI, brings her dedication to empowering women in trucking through the “She Drives” program, which addresses the unique challenges women face on the road. In her interview, Evelyn discusses the importance of safety training, such as self-defense, and building a supportive community for female drivers. Her journey in transportation has not only inspired but also equipped women with the tools to succeed in a male-dominated field. You can listen to Evelyn’s story and the impact of the She Drives initiative on Radio Nemo here.

She Trucking Podcast: Yessenia Sifuentes on Empowering Women in the Industry

Podcast: She Trucking Podcast

On the She Trucking Podcast, Yessenia Sifuentes from TAFS shares her inspiring story of working in trucking and the support TAFS provides to truckers in meeting their financial needs. Yessenia discusses her experiences as a woman in trucking, offering insight and encouragement for women breaking into the industry. Hosted by the She Trucking community, this episode highlights resilience and empowerment for women drivers. Listen to this impactful episode here.

These episodes highlight the resilience, solidarity, and success of women in trucking, offering inspiration and valuable insights for current and aspiring drivers alike.

The post Top Podcast Episodes Highlighting Inspiring Women in Trucking appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

On October 30, the Women in Trucking Association revealed its 2024 list of “Top Companies for Women to Work in Transportation.” Based in Plover, Wisconsin, this organization annually acknowledges companies that prioritize inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

“Companies named to this prestigious list must demonstrate corporate attributes that are essential to any successful enterprise committed to gender diversity as part of their corporate strategy,” stated Brian Everett, publisher of Redefining the Road magazine.

Everett highlighted key attributes necessary for selection:

• A corporate culture that promotes gender diversity

• Flexible work hours and requirements

• Attractive compensation packages

• Quality benefits, such as paid maternity leave

• Opportunities for training, ongoing education, and professional growth

• Career advancement potential

• Access to well-maintained and secure equipment and facilities for drivers

Norita Taylor, director of public relations at OOIDA, emphasized the organization’s groundbreaking efforts in tackling challenges within the trucking industry.

“OOIDA has fought for the rights of all truckers for more than 50 years and looks forward to seeing more and more women join the industry as drivers and small-business owners,” Taylor shared with Land Line. “At the heart of our mission is to improve conditions for all small-business truckers, which makes it that much better for women to enter and remain in an industry traditionally dominated by men.”

Taylor further noted OOIDA’s unwavering dedication to fairness across the board, which is mirrored by its diverse workforce.

“OOIDA also exemplifies this dedication in its approach to building and maintaining a workplace that respects and acknowledges the unique contributions of its female staff,” Taylor remarked. “By integrating women fully into its ranks, OOIDA leads by example, showing that a more inclusive industry is possible and preferable.”

This year’s compilation by Women in Trucking features a “diverse range of company types” within the trucking realm, including “motor carriers, third-party logistics companies, and original equipment manufacturers.” The acknowledged companies will be celebrated later this month during the 2024 Accelerate! Conference & Expo in Dallas.

Source: Land Line

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