Meet Lori, a Visionary for Progress

With over 34 years of experience, Lori has dedicated her career to driving innovation in the trucking industry. From working with private and for-hire fleets to her pivotal role in business development within a Fortune 100 company, Lori has done it all. Today, she stands at the helm of a leading female-owned driver-lead generation company with a remarkable 80% female workforce. Her mission is clear—to enhance the trucking industry’s image and advocate for drivers nationwide.

Recent highlights from Lori’s career include building an online trucking community of over one million followers and creating content that reaches up to 50 million people monthly. She launched initiatives like Driver.jobs, which connects drivers with the right opportunities, and the Haul of Fame, which celebrates the unsung heroes of the industry. Lori also partnered with NFI’s SheDrives initiative to empower women in trucking and spearheaded the development of an innovative platform that matches drivers and companies based on tailored needs. Through her unwavering leadership, Lori is paving the way for the next generation of women in trucking.

Katy, the Advocate Every Driver Needs

Katy is all about putting drivers first. Her career began in driver retention, evolved into recruitment marketing, and now focuses on operations at Truck Drivers USA, where she ensures that every initiative, campaign, and message resonates with drivers. She’s instrumental in fostering the company’s driver-centric culture, where the well-being and needs of those on the road are always the top priority.

Katy has delivered significant results during her time at TDUSA, including leading the company’s driver-focused messaging and building critical backend processes for long-term growth. She also developed the company’s streamlined onboarding approach, making it one of the most efficient in the industry. Recently, she launched the Thank a Driver program, which honors the hard work of America’s drivers. Katy also dedicates her time to mentoring new associates, sharing her insight, and helping them grow into leaders in their own right. Her forward-thinking approach and empathy have made her a vital force in the trucking community.

Taylor, Building Bridges That Drive Change

Taylor’s background and family ties in the trucking industry uniquely position her to excel in her role at Truck Drivers USA. Originally trained as a licensed counselor, Taylor’s people-first skills have helped her cultivate meaningful relationships with clients, offering solutions beyond surface-level needs. For her, trucking isn’t just a career; it’s a network of individuals and communities she’s deeply passionate about serving.

Taylor’s commitment is reflected in her impressive track record, which includes earning Top Salesperson honors and holding the company’s highest client retention rate. She has also played a crucial role in connecting Truck Drivers USA with initiatives like Wreaths Across America, strengthening the bond between trucking and veteran communities. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Taylor actively mentors new sales team members, sharing strategies and encouraging growth. Her dedication to drivers, veterans, and women in trucking is evident in all that she does.

Championing Women Who Lead

The dedicated women of Truck Drivers USA are more than just leaders; they are innovative minds and compassionate mentors shaping the future of the trucking industry. Their dedication to drivers, passion for breaking barriers, and relentless pursuit of positive change have made a lasting impact on the industry.

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Lori, Katy, Taylor, and all the women transforming the trucking landscape. Together, they’re not just leading today’s trucking workforce but building a future where the industry is more inclusive, innovative, and driver-focused than ever before.

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The Inspiring Leaders Award, presented by Inspiring Workplaces Group, celebrates individuals who make a significant impact on their organizations and inspire those around them. For 2024, Stratton was one of 17 exemplary leaders recognized in the Senior Leadership category.

“Inspiring leaders are the driving force behind cultures that uplift, support, and empower everyone, creating workplaces where people feel valued and motivated,” said Matt Manners, CEO and founder of the Inspiring Workplaces Group. “These awards celebrate those exceptional leaders who make a tangible, positive impact, setting a standard of empathy, integrity, and vision that resonates throughout their teams. You can see that by the testimonials their colleagues shared about them in the entry process. They are the catalysts for change, sparking innovation, engagement, a sense of belonging, and proving that leadership is about elevating others as much as oneself.”

Since joining Transflo in 2022, Stratton has played a pivotal role in advancing the company’s innovation. She spearheaded the development of the Workflow AI for Brokers platform and is responsible for leading the solutions architect, project management, and implementation teams. Furthermore, her leadership extended beyond business functions as she established “Engage,” Transflo’s culture and community outreach initiative.

Renee Krug, CEO at Transflo, praised Stratton’s approach to leadership, highlighting her dedication to both the team and the customers.

“Emily is an influential leader not only because of her exceptional talent but also because of her unwavering humanity and dedication to our team,” said Krug. “She exemplifies what it means to lead with empathy and vision, reminding us every day that true success lies in collaboration, innovation, and making a positive impact on both our customers and our people.”

Following the announcement, Stratton expressed gratitude for being recognized for her leadership and contributions.

“This award is a reflection of the incredible team I have the privilege to work with every day at Transflo,” Stratton noted. “Together, we’ve built solutions that drive real value for our customers and foster a culture that empowers every individual to thrive.”

Source: The Trucker

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An organization making significant strides in promoting female participation in this industry is Women In Trucking (WIT). Established in 2007, WIT has focused on boosting the presence of women in logistics by championing gender equality and providing education and mentorship opportunities. WIT offers a supportive community where women in trucking can exchange experiences, find encouragement, and build enduring careers.

Beyond the efforts of WIT, NFI’s She Drives initiative stands out as another powerful force for empowering women in logistics. This initiative prominently features figures like Evelyn Guajardo, who recently appeared on the She Drives by Radio NEMO podcast. In her conversation, Evelyn offered valuable insights into her path within the transportation industry. Her experiences and viewpoints enhance the broader dialogue about female representation and leadership in logistics, underscoring efforts to cultivate an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for women.

To gain more insights from Evelyn Guajardo on the She Drives initiative and her personal experiences, and to understand the significance of female representation in logistics, click the link to listen to the episode.

The post The Importance of Representation in Logistics and Transportation appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Bridgestone is celebrated by WIT’s official magazine, Redefining the Road, for its commitment to supporting women in the transportation sector.

“Bridgestone is proud to be recognized for the third straight year as a workplace where women in transportation can thrive,” stated Emily Poladian, President of Mobility Solutions, Americas Sales & Customer Success. “It’s a privilege to work for an organization that champions representation and shows young women just starting their careers that this is an industry where they belong, something that I hope will be the norm for more and more companies.”

The accolade is backed by the votes of over 31,000 transportation professionals, who assessed companies based on criteria established by WIT. Bridgestone scored highly in several categories, including:

• A corporate culture that promotes gender diversity

• Opportunities for professional development

• Pathways for career advancement

• Competitive pay and benefits

• Adaptable working hours and requirements

Additionally, Redefining the Road has recognized three Bridgestone employees for their notable contributions to the industry. These “Top Women to Watch in Transportation” include:

• Debra Hamlin, Director of Operations, Bridgestone Commercial Dealer Network

• Megan Miller, Senior Manager of Commercial Sales Channel Development

• Samantha McCracken, Strategic Operations Manager

Emily Poladian’s leadership extends beyond her role at Bridgestone. She has been appointed to the WIT Board of Directors, where she will further advocate for diversity and support the cultivation of upcoming talent in trucking.

“Bridgestone’s partnership and recognition from WIT aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, which consists of 8 Bridgestone-like values starting with the letter ‘E,’” stated the company release. “This recognition aligns with the ‘Emotion’ and ‘Empowerment’ values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment.”

For more details, visit our website or connect with us on social media.

Source: The Trucker

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