RT&S 2026 Women in Rail Engineering Honorees

Photo credit: Shutterstock/Dmytro Zinkevych

Railway Track and Structures has sharpened its focus on railway engineering education in 2026 and it’sdelightful to see contributions to education and encouragement of prospective rail engineers as part of the work done by many of our 2026 Women in Rail Engineering honorees. Most are familiar with STEM education –– Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics –– which is required to be a successful rail engineer. In addition to these four disciplines, computer science has become an integral part of this body of knowledge and practice, and the U.S. Department of Education notes this on its website as STEM/CS. 

Of course, not everyone is interested in or has a penchant for this type of work. Nevertheless, with reports that recent college graduates in all disciplines are challenged to find jobs in today’s economy, those who do have an interest in and aptitude for STEM/CS should be able to find a rewarding career within rail engineering. 

RT&S  is very pleased and excited to recognize these accomplished women rail professionals not only for the rigorous work they do each day, but also for their encouragement of and guidance to budding professionals who will lead rail engineering in the future. 

Paige Anderson

Senior Team Leader, Rail Water Resources
Olsson

During Paige Anderson’s 13-year tenure at Olsson, her work has allowed her to become a trusted advisor to Class I railroads. In her role, she delivers environmental permitting and compliance support for more than 1,300 projects across the country. As a vice president at Olsson, Anderson is recognized for her technical expertise and accountability. One example of her work ethic and leadership is in her response to federal updates related to bat species protection and White-nose Syndrome. To help railroads anticipate new survey requirements, Anderson developed guidance for these railroads to help them understand evolving habitat classifications and plan work within constrained construction windows.

Other examples include conducting permitting and environmental analysis across 22 states for BNSF Railway and 18 states for Union Pacific Railroad. Her nominator said, “What distinguishes Paige is her ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical strategies that keep rail projects moving safely, responsibly, and efficiently. . . Paige’s combination of technical excellence, industry influence, team leadership, and commitment to developing others makes her an exceptional candidate for the Women in Engineering Award. She has made a measurable impact on rail projects across the country, strengthened Olsson’s rail practice, and helped the broader industry navigate some of its most challenging environmental requirements.” 

Wendy Berrill

Associate Vice President, Director – Railway and Civil Design
Michael Baker International

Wendy exemplifies the “best of the best” in the railroad engineering field through her exceptional technical expertise, leadership, and sustained contributions to the advancement of the rail industry. Wendy holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (2006) and an MBA from Robert Morris University (2011). She brings over 20 years of experience in civil and railway engineering, with a career that spans all phases of project delivery—from preliminary engineering through final design and construction support.  

Wendy’s technical expertise covers the full spectrum of track design, including mainline corridors, siding tracks, intermodal and classification yards, and complex special trackwork. She has led and contributed to projects involving alignment analysis, site layout, switch and crossover design, track roadbed design, and grade crossings, as well as high-speed rail corridor and station improvement projects. She also brings advanced experience in designing trackwork under challenging conditions—such as constrained rights-of-way, tight curves, environmental constraints, and geometrically complex environments—demonstrating both technical depth and innovation in solving real-world rail challenges.  

As Director of Civil and Railway Design for Michael Baker International’s National Rail Team, Wendy leads a team of track and civil engineers delivering complex, large-scale projects for both freight and passenger rail clients. Her leadership extends beyond project delivery. Wendy has been instrumental in advancing the capabilities of the national track group, fostering collaboration across offices, and promoting consistency and quality in track design practices. Her ability to connect multidisciplinary teams—spanning track, civil, structural, environmental, and construction disciplines—has strengthened project outcomes and enhanced organizational effectiveness.  

Wendy is also a respected mentor and team leader. She actively contributes to the professional development of staff, encourages knowledge sharing, and supports the growth of future leaders within the rail industry. Notably, she has participated in Michael Baker’s mentorship program for several years, serving as a mentor to multiple professionals within the organization and helping to guide the next generation of engineers.  

Wendy’s contributions to the rail industry are both broad and impactful. She has successfully managed and delivered a diverse portfolio of projects, including greenfield railyards, mainline and siding improvements, intermodal facility expansions, and multi-disciplinary infrastructure initiatives. Her project work frequentlyinvolves complex coordination with stakeholders, environmental documentation, permitting, and alternatives analysis—ensuring that projects are not only technically sound but also responsive to regulatory, community, and environmental considerations. In addition, Wendy’s experience in construction sequencing and shoofly design for rail bridge projects highlights her ability to bridge the gap between design and constructability, delivering solutions that minimize operational disruption while maintaining safety and efficiency.

Wendy is also actively engaged in advancing industry knowledge and best practices through her involvement in professional organizations. She is a member of AREMA Technical Committee 14, Yards and Terminals, and supports Subcommittee 4, contributing her expertise to the development of industry standards and guidance for rail yard and terminal design. In addition to her positive impact in the industry, Wendy regularly attends a mentoring presentation to talk to University of Pittsburgh Civil Engineering students about rail engineering and participates in the university’s Impactful Resilient Infrastructure Science and Engineering (IRISE) Program as part of the Michael Baker International partnership.  This partnership includes working with students and industry leaders to develop and present projects to be selected for further research.   

Wendy Berrill’s career reflects a rare combination of technical excellence, visionary leadership, and meaningful industry impact. Her contributions have strengthened the capabilities of her organization, improved outcomes for clients, and advanced the practice of railroad engineering.  

Jackie Bove

Senior Manager – Dept. Process & Controls
Long Island Rail Road

Throughout more than fourteen years of progressive service with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Jackie has established herself as a respected leader whose contributions have strengthened maintenance operations, regulatory compliance, workforce readiness, and operational reliability across one of North America’s busiest commuter railroads.  

Jackie’s career reflects a remarkable progression from frontline clerical and operational support positions to senior leadership responsibilities within the Maintenance of Equipment (MofE) Department. Her broad experience across maintenance, transportation, strategic investments, labor administration, regulatory compliance, and executive support has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the complex systems required to safely and efficiently operate a major railroad.  

A significant portion of Jackie’s career has been dedicated to supporting the maintenance and reliability of LIRR’s passenger fleet. As Senior Records Clerk, she managed federally mandated inspection schedules for both electric multiple-unit and diesel fleets, coordinated Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) programs, validatedFederal Railroad Administration (FRA) inspection documentation, and ensured compliance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) maintenance requirements. Her work directly supported the maintenance readiness and regulatory compliance of more than 1,100 rail vehicles serving hundreds of thousands of customers throughout the region. In her leadership roles within the Maintenance of Equipment Department, Jackie has become a trusted liaison among engineering, maintenance, safety, procurement, labor relations, human resources, training, and executive leadership. She has successfully coordinated cross-functional initiatives that improve operational efficiency, strengthen compliance programs, and support critical maintenance operations. Her responsibilities have included oversight of engineering-support contracts, procurement processes, departmental audits, budget reviews, training compliance programs, and operational readiness initiatives.  

Jackie has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership during emergency and high-pressure situations. She serves as a key liaison between the Incident Command Center and Maintenance of Equipment personnel during severe weather events, service disruptions, and emergency operations. She has coordinated emergency lodging, communications, staffing support, and operational resources to ensure continuity of service and workforce readiness. Her support of LIRR Wreck Crew personnel during derailments and emergency incidents further reflects her commitment to railroad safety and operational excellence.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackie played a critical leadership role in supporting workforce continuity for one of LIRR’s largest operating departments. She coordinated testing and vaccination compliance efforts, managed a departmental tracking system containing more than 1,000 employee and close-contact records, organized PPE distribution and sanitization efforts, and worked closely with Medical, Human Resources, Safety, and departmental leadership to maintain safe operations during an unprecedented period of disruption.  

Beyond her operational contributions, Jackie is deeply committed to employee development and advancing opportunities for women within the railroad industry. She has supported mentorship, professional development, and leadership initiatives designed to encourage growth and advancement within Maintenance of Equipment. Her dedication to workforce development is further demonstrated through her responsibilities as a training coordinator, mentor, and supporter of future railroad leaders. Jackie’s qualifications include Roadway Worker Protection (RWP), Roadway Worker in Charge (RWIC), Qualified Maintenance Person (QMP) training, and Central Manpower Payroll Clerk certification. She is highly knowledgeable in FRA regulations, labor agreements, railroad operations, maintenance compliance requirements, and workforce administration. Her combination of technical knowledge, operational expertise, leadership ability, and commitment to continuous improvement has made her an invaluable contributor to the Long Island Rail Road.  

Jeanette Chickles

Vice President of Customer Support
Ondas Networks, Inc.

Jeanette Chickles has spent five years driving customer success for Ondas Networks’ rail communications deployments. She currently serves as Vice President of Customer Support, having been promoted from Director of Customer Support in January 2024. She brings something the rail industry increasingly needs: a leader who can translate complex wireless and software technologies into reliable, deployable solutions for railroads modernizing their communications infrastructure. Her career spans more than three decades in telecommunications, with a strong technical foundation in network engineering and progressively senior roles leading software development, core network engineering, and global deployment operations across the wireless industry. That combination of engineering depth and large-scale deployment experience is exactly what is required to support the rail industry’s transition to next-generation communications infrastructure, work that directly affects the safety and efficiency of maintenance-of-way operations. Highly respected by railroaders for her deep understanding of the railroad communications ecosystem and her hands-on approach in the field, colleagues consistently describe her as dependable, technically grounded, and exceptionally organized, with a rare ability to bridge engineering teams, vendors, and customers across functions and time zones. Here are some additional highlights of Jeanette’s work: 

• Deployed the first IEEE 802.16 solutions on Class 1 and regional railroads on the 900 MHz network. 

• Deployed the first dot16 CTC-over-ITCM and ITCM-over-CTC implementations in the field, providing railroads with a backup path for critical communications traffic. 

• Led the implementation of the first general-purpose data network on the 160 MHz network, enabling end-to-end communications with safety-critical systems, including hot box detectors, broken rail detection systems, and other safety and operations-enhancing infrastructure. 

• Promoted from Director of Customer Support to Vice President of Customer Support at Ondas Networks in January 2024, leading the customer support organization for the company’s rail wireless communications business. 

• Built and led customer support operations for Ondas’ deployments of next-generation wireless communications for North American railroads. 

• 30+ years of progressive leadership in telecommunications, wireless deployment, and customer operations.

Amanda DeCesare

Director of Construction – Southern Region
CSX

Amanda DeCesare has spent 19 years in the industry and has taken on significant responsibilities throughout her career. As Director of Construction – Southern Region, DeCesare leads a team responsible for completing railroad construction projects across the southeastern United States. One such project was the rebuilding of 60 miles of Blue Ridge Subdivision after Hurricane Helene.

DeCesare helped to manage this incredibly large undertaking. Her efforts on this project earned her the CSX Prestige Award from CSX CEO Steve Angel. Throughout her time at CSX, she has held positions as Construction Engineer and Public Projects Manager in Virginia and Ohio, respectively. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Michigan Technological University. 

Charity Duran

Director of Data Engineering and Analysis
BNSF Railway

Charity Duran has played a defining role in transforming how BNSF identifies and manages track risk by leading the transition of advanced inspection technologies from concept and pilot programs into reliable, systemwide operations. She has been instrumental in operationalizing locomotive-based inspection platforms, vision systems, and risk-based models that enable continuous, network-scale monitoring of safety-critical conditions such as broken rails and joint bar failures.  

Through her leadership, these capabilities moved from limited use cases to fully integrated production systems that engineering and field teams rely on daily. Charity’s ability to connect engineering priorities with data, technology, and execution has significantly improved the timeliness, accuracy, and usability of inspection data. This has directly strengthened how maintenance decisions are made—shifting from reactive response to proactive, risk-based intervention. Her work contributed to measurable safety outcomes, including supporting BNSF’s best-ever track-caused derailment rate in 2025. More broadly, her leadership has helped establish a scalable, modern approach to track inspection that advances both safety and reliability across the network. 

Theresa Impastato

Executive Vice President & Chief Infrastructure Officer
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

Theresa Impastato has demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical excellence, and industry service throughout a career spanning more than two decades in rail transportation, engineering, infrastructure, construction, safety, and system modernization.  

As Executive Vice President and Chief Infrastructure Officer at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Theresa leads engineering, infrastructure maintenance, asset management, and capital delivery programs supporting one of the largest rail transit systems in North America. Her responsibilities include oversight of track, structures, traction power, communications, train control systems, facilities, and other critical assets that support safe and reliable passenger service. Throughout her career, she has successfully led complex engineering and infrastructure programs requiring the integration of multiple disciplines, stakeholders, and operating environments. 

Her experience includes major rail modernization initiatives at both Amtrak and WMATA, where she has helped advance system reliability, safety, operational performance, and infrastructure resilience. In addition to her technical accomplishments, Theresa has made significant contributions to the transportation profession through education, mentoring, and workforce development. She serves as an instructor for the Transportation Safety Institute, helping to educate transportation professionals across the United States. She is also deeply committed to mentoring young women pursuing careers in engineering, transportation, and infrastructure, providing guidance, sponsorship, and professional development opportunities that help strengthen the future workforce.  

As a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and a doctoral candidate focused on workforce development and training effectiveness, Theresa exemplifies a commitment to lifelong learning and the advancement of both the engineering profession and the transportation industry. Her unique combination of engineering expertise, executive leadership, industry service, workforce development, and commitment to mentoring future leaders adds tremendous value to the teams that support and operate WMATA. 

Jana Nakamura

Project Controls Specialist III
RailPros

Jana Nakamura, PMP, is a certified Project Management Professional with more than 13 years of experience in different industries. At RailPros, she has spent more than 6 years as a Project Controls Specialist and Process Manager. In this role, she works to implement and maintain project and document control systems for a series of projects and programs. Her work has helped support programs such as project controls for LOSSAN Corridor improvements and document control for the Redlands Rail Passenger Program. 

Her contributions on the LOSSAN Corridor include facilitating coordination between project managers, resolving program-wide complications, tracking previous complications on projects and applications towards newer projects, and scheduling with Microsoft Project to visualize conflicts between projects. According to her nominator, Nakamura “plays a strong role in building RailPros’ culture through her involvement with many internal initiatives, and she applies her skills cross-functionally to support the larger team, such as by creating data visualizations for the Employee Engagement committee.” 

Janelle Patterson

President
Zephyr Rail

Janelle Patterson’s nominator told RT&S she is “a next-generation engineering leader who combines technical excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community service. Janelle exemplifies the transformative impact women engineers can have on both their profession and society.” Patterson’s background in civil engineering education and legal studies with concentrations in corporate and intellectual property law allow her to bridge technical, business, legal, and stakeholder interests.

Her exemplary work ethic extends out of the workplace where she actively participates in food collection programs for families in need and supports initiatives that improve educational access for women in engineering. This is done through an annual scholarship through the WTS-Los Angeles scholarship program. Outside of mentorship and community service, Patterson is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Women Transportation Seminar, and AREMA.  

Erin Plemons

Director, Center for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CCIP)
ENSCO, Inc.

Erin Plemons has been with ENSCO, Inc for 9 years, 4 of which have been spent as the Director for the Center for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CCIP). In this role, Plemons and her team have worked to provide cybersecurity consultation and training services to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) executive staff, surface Transportation Security Inspectors and Aviation Principal Security Inspectors. They have trained more than 3,000 people in this time. 

Plemons helped establish ENSCO’s CCIP at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) with a focus on cyber compliance and risks associated with passenger and freight rail systems aligned to regulatory requirements and cybersecurity best practices. In addition, Plemons has authored multiple on-week courses on cybersecurity in the transportation sector and delivered classes to thousands of government personnel. Since then, she has worked with owners and operators to enhance operational resiliency while maintaining safety. Plemons and her team conduct vulnerability and penetration test assessments to validate compliances with industry standards, directives, and best practices.  

Erin Ponce

Manager – Engineering Budget & Administration
Metra Commuter Rail

Erin Ponce began her rail career more than 10 years ago at Metra Commuter Rail. After starting as an intern, Ponce moved into a Maintenance Analyst role. Currently, she serves as Manager, Engineering Budget & Administration. Due to her work in this role, she has expedited the procurement process and oversees an operating budget of approximately $100 million.

Ponce holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government and a Master’s Degree in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning, both from the University of Illinois Chicago. Her nominator said she “does an incredible job of incorporating the finance side of the business into the work. She asks fantastic questions of the Structures, Track, Signal and Telecom teams to ensure we’re getting a high ROI on our spend while also protecting the safe operation of our passengers.” 

Irazema Silva Ramirez

Train Design Métier Manager
Alstom

Irazema Silva Ramirez began her journey in mechanical engineering in Mexico in 1995. After expanding her expertise in systems engineering, fire safety, bogie design, industrialization, and project management, Silva Ramirez served as Transformation and Engagement Leader for the Americas, where she implemented governance structures to enhance employee engagement and collaboration across the region. She is currently responsible for mechanical design of trains produced at Alstom’s manufacturing sites and oversees more than 260 employees at 10 sites. With more than 26 years of experience in rolling stock engineering and delivery across Mexico, the United States, France, Belgium, Sweden, and Canada under her belt, she has led the development of railcar projects including Bay Area Rapid Transit, Metro, Metrolinx GO Transit Bi-level cars, NJ Transit commuter vehicles, TTC light rail vehicles, and SEPTA LRVs. 

Her work has earned her the Engineering Technical Office (ETO) Recognition Award for Project Execution and Accountability and a Bronze Medal at the Alstom Excellence Awards in the Americas Region 2025 for a Best Cost Country project. As a Woman in Engineering Leader in North America and member of the Women of Excellence network, she has worked to support the growth and mentorship of other women engineers. Due to her leadership in transformation initiatives across the Americas, more than 200 leaders have benefitted. Silva Ramirez continues to mentor future engineers and advocate for sustainable mobility. 

Sydney Silver

Manager, Public Works
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)

With four years in the maintenance-of-way industry, Sydney Silver works as Manager, Public Works at a Class I where she oversees projects in which public infrastructure intersects with railway property. Silver began as an intern where she laid the groundwork of her career in railway operations, engineering and field work. She then advanced into an analyst role.

Silver led the rollout of TAM, the state-of-the-art electronic Track Asset Management inspection recordkeeping system, across the U.S. and Canada. During this rollout, she traveled to field locations to engage with employees. Silver developed field-friendly training manuals, templates, checklists, and field procedures, including Switch Enrichment books. This willingness to “meet people where they work” has effectively strengthened her working relationships and her credibility in the industry. In her current role, she is working to expand her engineering expertise. Because of her “exceptional dedication, initiative, adaptability, and genuine commitment to helping others succeed,” her nominator tells RT&S that Silver is “an outstanding candidate for the RT&S Women in Engineering Award.” 

Amanda Stahlnecker

South Central Freight Rail Lead
HDR

Amanda Stahlnecker, P.E., is a senior engineer and leader for HDR located in Fort Worth, Texas. Her measurable impact on the rail industry, leadership in delivering complex and nationally significant freight projects, including Class I classification yards, transload facilities, and double track expansions, industrial mega site development and facility projects, as well as transit projects for DAR and Denver’s Eagle P3 project, along with sustained commitment to advancing both the profession and the next generation of rail engineers exemplify the excellence, innovation, and dedication that she has demonstrated for more than two decades.   

With more than 20 years of experience in railroad engineering, Amanda has led the successful delivery of complex rail infrastructure projects that improve system capacity, enhance operational efficiency, and support economic growth for Class I railroads, industrial clients, and public agencies. Her work on yards, terminals, grade crossings, and large-scale capacity improvements have directly contributed to safer, more reliable freight movement and more resilient supply chains throughout the industry. In her role as HDR’s South Central freight rail program lead and North Texas freight rail section manager, she not only delivers technical excellence but also drives strategic growth—leading multidisciplinary teams, strengthening key client relationships, and positioning the broader engineering community for sustained success in an increasingly complex and evolving market.   

Amanda’s impact extends beyond individual projects to the broader rail industry. Through her long-standing leadership with AREMA—serving as a committee secretary, vice chair, chair, and now as a board member—she has helped shape technical dialogue, promoted knowledge sharing, and contributed to the development and dissemination of industry practices that guide rail professionals nationwide. Her technical presentations, publications, and co-authored reference materials have expanded industry knowledge and provided practical guidance adopted by peers across the field, reinforcing higher standards of safety, efficiency, and design within the engineering community.   

At HDR, Amanda has demonstrated exceptional leadership in developing people and strengthening organizational capability. She creates and leads training initiatives such as “Railroad 101,” equipping emerging professionals with foundational knowledge that supports the acceleration of their growth. She also develops delivery resources and mentors staff across experience levels, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence. Her efforts build stronger, more capable rail engineering teams that improve project delivery.    

Throughout her professional career, Amanda has remained committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the engineering community. She actively mentors women and underrepresented professionals, creates inclusive team environments, and encourages diverse perspectives to strengthen project teams, deliverables, and workplace culture. Her involvement with organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers, along with her outreach to students and young professionals, demonstrates a clear commitment to expanding access to and representation across the rail engineering field.  Through a combination of technical expertise, industry leadership, business impact, and community engagement, Amanda has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to both HDR and the rail engineering profession. She exemplifies the qualities recognized by this honor—demonstrating excellence in her field and a far-reaching impact on the women currently in the industry, as well as future women engineers.