Trucking's greatest asset is its people: 2026 Women in Transportation

Since I started covering the trucking industry in 2018, I’ve heard the adage: “Once you get into trucking, you can’t get out.” But the industry isn’t the Hotel California; when our industry colleagues say this, they don’t mean they can’t leave. Really, they mean they don’t want to. “It’s the people that make this industry so great,” they always say. And I agree. 

My experience in trucking has shown me how quickly an interview subject can become a friend. It's made this introvert look forward to happy-hour conversations at industry conferences, and it’s given me a wonderful career I look forward to continuing—all because of the people. 

And wouldn’t you know it, this year’s Women in Transportation issue highlights women whose stories all tie into the same theme: people. This was entirely unintentional, as four different journalists wrote the six profiles on the following pages, and the women had no way of collaborating on a theme before their interviews.

In last year’s FleetOwner Women in Transportation feature, I wrote that the industry was “ripe for capable women leaders to rise up,” and this year’s profiles shine a light on six dynamic leaders in the industry who’ve risen above and beyond to break the glass ceiling. How these all-star women all agreed to chat with us, I’ll never know, because they’re busy on the front lines ensuring a better workplace for those who work for them and those to come after them.

What makes Kim Corona, director of training, safety, and compliance, a great leader is her passion to see others succeed and increase their confidence. Truck driver Ingrid Brown advocates for her community and emphasizes that every truck on the road is driven by a human being with a heart and a need. 

Sam Thompson, Penske’s VP of telematics and customer success, relied on mentors to carve out her career path; as the leader of her team, she ensures her colleagues do the same. Tammie Dean, a driver recruiting manager for Lily Transportation, developed Lily Ladies, a program designed to empower women in the industry.

Fontaine Fifth Wheel’s president, Paige Petroni, previously served on a women’s inclusion council, and she currently aspires to help “illuminate” paths for others in the industry. And shop owner Shari Pheasant teaches other leaders how to foster growth among their employees by identifying their strengths and exploring different communication methods. Reading the story of even just one of these women will likely inspire you.

The theme of “people” in this issue is not a strange coincidence; in trucking, it’s a universal truth.

Read FleetOwner's 2026 Women in Transportation profiles by clicking the links below. Links will be updated as the profiles are published throughout March. 

Ingrid Brown, Blackjack Express truck driver

Kim Corona, TransWest director of training, safety, and compliance

Tammie Dean, Lily Transportation recruiting director

Paige Petroni, Fontaine Fifth Wheel president

Shari Pheasant, A Master Mechanic repair shop owner

Samantha Thompson, Penske telematics and customer success VP