Arlington, Virginia — The Women in Trucking Association has released its shortlist of four executives competing for the 2022 Influential Women in Trucking award, shining a spotlight on leaders who drive operational success and expand career access for female professionals throughout the freight sector. Established in 2010 and marking its 12th year, the honor highlights women who hold senior leadership roles while actively reshaping how transport networks operate on a daily basis.
This year's four finalists feature executives steering major logistics fleets, staffing operations, and youth-focused workforce development initiatives. Trina Norman leads transportation operations at UPS with a 32-year tenure, concentrating heavily on mentoring and recruiting female drivers and staff. Jill Quinn serves as president of Centerline Drivers and holds an executive leadership role at PeopleReady Skilled Trades, leveraging 25 years of experience to supply fleets and industrial businesses with qualified CDL-A drivers and tradespeople. Mari Roberts manages transportation for Frito-Lay as vice president, overseeing nearly 3,000 employees across headquarters and field locations while directing safety, cost management, and service performance for 28 U.S. traffic centers alongside third-party carrier networks. Lindsey Trent acts as president and co-founder of the Next Generation in Trucking Association, a non-profit dedicated to promoting commercial driving careers and building high school training programs that connect young adults directly to top trucking companies hiring fresh talent.
Ellen Voie, president and CEO of the association, noted the exceptional professional caliber represented by the 2022 group. All four finalists demonstrate high-level leadership that impacts workplaces, local communities, and the broader supply chain by altering the professional landscape for women in commercial transport.
What This Means for Drivers
Professional truck drivers and owner-operators benefit directly when major fleet executives and workforce advocates gain recognition for expanding driver pipelines. Effective mentorship and structured training programs help bridge the ongoing industry talent gap, ensuring that new drivers entering the sector receive proper preparation before hitting the road. Fleet safety performance and optimized traffic center operations managed by leaders at companies like Frito-Lay and UPS directly improve day-to-day conditions for OTR truck drivers navigating tight delivery windows and congested terminals.
Industry Reaction
Industry advocates stress that recognizing top female executives helps shift public perception and encourages traditional carriers to modernize their recruitment strategies. As motor carriers face ongoing driver shortages, leadership initiatives focused on mentorship and youth training programs provide a sustainable framework for long-term workforce stability.
Key Points
- The Influential Women in Trucking award entered its 12th year of recognizing female leadership and operational innovation.
- Finalist Trina Norman brings 32 years of transportation management experience at UPS.
- Finalist Jill Quinn oversees driver and trades placement across two major TrueBlue companies.
- Finalist Mari Roberts directs safety and service performance for nearly 3,000 employees at Frito-Lay.
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