Career Choices for Women in Commercial Truck Fleets

By Brian Everett

In a historically male-populated field, women are steadily reshaping the landscape of the trucking industry across every role of commercial fleet operations. In fact, according to the most recent WIT Index, which is considered by many to be the industry barometer to benchmark and measure the percentage of women who make up critical roles — ranging from leadership, human resources, and safety to professional truck drivers, dispatchers, and diesel mechanics. The WIT Index, conducted by the Women In Trucking Association (WIT), surveys every other year companies that have operations or involvement in the trucking industry.

It’s clear that women are assuming more influential roles in both for-hire and private fleets, driving innovation, safety, and workforce transformation along the way.

Female Leaders on the Rise
The need to attract more leadership talent (including skilled women leaders) has never been more critical, and there’s significant research and best practices to support this statement. Companies that have a higher representation of skilled, qualified women on their boards notably outperform organizations that do not. In addition, research has shown that companies with greater diversity of highly qualified individuals who happen to be women, not just within their workforce but directly among senior leadership, are more profitable than those without.

There’s good news that the business world is making progress in gender-diverse leadership. In fact, women CEOs comprise 10.4% of Fortune 500 companies in 2024, according to Forbes magazine (Note: 2023 was the first year that women comprised more than 10% of the top role). Shelley Simpson, president and CEO of J.B. Hunt Transport; Marcia Taylor, CEO of Bennett Family of Companies; and Judy McReynolds, chairman, president, and CEO of ArcBest, are solid examples of women successfully leading their companies in the trucking industry.

There’s also good news that the transportation industry is experiencing an increase in skilled, qualified women in broader leadership roles. According to participating companies in the 2024-25 WIT Index, an average of 28% of executives in the C-suite of trucking companies are women. A significant percentage (43.5%) reports that 20% to 49% of executives in their C-suite are women.

How many company leaders in the transportation industry are women? In the WIT Index, “company leaders” are defined as someone with supervisory responsibilities (and also includes executives within the C-suite). Respondents report that an average of 34.5% of company leaders with supervisory responsibilities are women. Another 56% of respondents report that between 20% and 49% of company leaders are women.

Organizations such as WIT have helped accelerate this trend by recognizing female leaders through awards, mentoring programs, and visibility campaigns that highlight the contributions of women throughout the trucking industry.

Expanding the Driver Base
The most visible shift of more women entering careers in trucking is on the road. According to the latest data from the WIT Index, women now represent nearly 9.5% of professional drivers — one of the highest proportions ever recorded. There are many reasons why women are suited to be quality, reliable, efficient, and safe professional truck drivers. For example, women typically are less likely to take risks and therefore can be safer drivers.

“Women bring a different approach to problem-solving and safety,” said one fleet operations director. “They’re helping raise the professionalism and customer service expectations of our entire workforce.”

Many for-hire and private fleets are actively recruiting women through targeted outreach, mentorship programs, and flexible scheduling options. These efforts not only address driver shortages but also improve fleet performance: studies show women drivers often have fewer accidents, higher compliance rates, and longer retention.

One example of an impressive female professional truck driver is Kathy Blaies, who was named the 2025 Driver of the Year by WIT. She’s currently a professional car hauler at United Road, a company that specializes in automotive transport. Her journey into trucking began with hauling cars. Despite being initially told she wouldn't make it in the industry, she proved her doubters wrong. She quickly earned respect not just for her exceptional driving skills but for her efforts to help others succeed. She regularly advises newcomers, helping them navigate the complexities of car hauling and find success in an industry that’s often known for its challenges.

Beyond her technical expertise, Blaies’ professionalism and leadership have earned her numerous accolades. With over one million safe driving miles, she is a four-time recipient of United Road’s prestigious Gold Elite Award and a two-time recipient of the Damage-Free Elite Award, recognizing her consistent performance and commitment to excellence.

Blaies’ exemplary performance has been highlighted by her peers and leaders. United Road’s former president and CEO Mark Anderson praised her commitment: “Kathy’s outstanding performance reflects her personal drive to achieve excellence and the positive impact she has on our operations. She is a standout driver whose dedication, skill, and leadership make her truly deserving of this prestigious recognition.”

Safety Professionals Ensuring Safer Fleets
In the United States and Canada, safety professionals typically are responsible for preventing occupational injury and illness among workers in their workforce, with an emphasis on drivers and workers in their facilities. National estimates for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists are more than 100,000 professionals in the United States alone.

According to the 2024-25 WIT Index, an average of 38.5% of professionals in safety roles are women. A typical safety professional plays a vital role in ensuring that fleet operations meet all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards for driver and public safety. They’re heavily involved in such activities as driver training and education, accident prevention and investigation, risk management, vehicle and equipment safety, recordkeeping and reporting, insurance costs, and emergency preparedness.

The Road Ahead
As the trucking industry continues to adopt data-driven decision-making, automation, and electrification, the need for diverse and qualified talent has never been greater. Forward-looking fleets are pairing recruitment efforts with professional development programs that prepare women for leadership in maintenance, safety, and logistics.

The result is an industry slowly but surely transforming its culture — one that values inclusion, innovation, and the growing influence of women shaping its direction.