Technology & Ethics Take Center Stage at Women in Rail 2026

Railway Age and RT&S are returning to Chicagoland on Oct. 6-7, 2026, for the fourth annual Women in Rail Conference. One of the sessions on this year’s program features a dynamic and engaging conversation with industry professionals on technology and ethics in rail.

Over the course of two days at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, Women in Rail 2026 will include dynamic “fire-side chat”-style panels of trailblazing women and their allies; a celebratory awards luncheon; and opportunities to connect with a community of railroaders who are committed to driving the industry forward.

Meet the “Technology & Ethics” Panel

Join us Oct. 6 to be part of the conversation with:

MaryClara Jones
Executive Director of Corporate Strategy & Technology, MxV Rail

A 2025 RT&S Women in Engineering honoree, MaryClara Jones has earned a distinguished career in the industry, taking on a variety of leadership roles. At MxV Rail, Jones has worked in Engineering, Marketing, and Software Services. She led a team that was responsible for the design and development of MxV Rail’s facilities at PuebloPlex and the Pueblo Industrial Park, including the creation of infrastructure such as the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST)®, the Operations and Training Center, High Speed Loop, Impact Wall and Track, Heavy Duty Maintenance Facility, and the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) full-scale training scenarios.

Jones has led internal research and development initiatives that include the next-generation IWS system and a database of global standards for passenger vehicle qualification testing. Throughout her career, Jones has gained experience in vehicle dynamic studies, instrumented wheelset (IWS) design and testing, qualification testing of new passenger rail equipment, wheel/rail interaction studies, and standards development for passenger vehicles.

“Throughout my career at MxV Rail, I’ve learned that some of the best ideas come from connecting with others who bring different experiences and perspectives to the table. I look forward to joining the Women in Rail Conference to share insights, learn from fellow rail professionals, and build the relationships that help move our industry and our organizations forward.” – MC Jones

Banita Hyman
Senior Director Infrastructure and Cloud Services, Norfolk Southern

Banita Hyman was named one of International Railway Journal‘s 2026 Women in Rail Award honorees for her work as Senior Director, Infrastructure and Cloud Services at Norfolk Southern. In this role at the Class I, she works to lead NS’ enterprise-wide cloud strategy by developing the architecture, roadmap, and operating model. Hyman has also led other initiatives in smart building innovation, digital workplace transformation, and strategic technology programs that have won awards. Hyman was instrumental in Norfolk Southern’s Atlanta headquarters. Here, she oversaw the integration of IoT, development of a mobile app, and intelligent wayfinding.

Hyman has been recognized for her work in the industry. Along with IRJ’s Women in Rail award, she was named one of Atlanta Business League’s 100 Most Influential Black Women and received its Woman of Vision Award. When asked about the 2026 Railway Age/RT&S Women in Rail Conference, Hyman said:

“The future of rail will be shaped by far more than technology. It will be transformed by the people making decisions about how emerging technologies are adopted. As innovation continues to accelerate, ethical leadership becomes more important than ever to ensure we continue to empower people and solve real world problems. Women in Rail brings together incredible leaders, diverse perspectives, and candid conversations that strengthen industry relationships and challenge us to think differently. I’m excited to join fellow leaders in discussing how we can continue building the future of rail with both courage and integrity. With an outstanding lineup of speakers and many timely discussion topics, this year’s conference is one you won’t want to miss!” – Banita Hyman

Acacia Reber
Head of STG Market Engagement & Enablement, ENSCO, Inc.

Acacia Reber, named one of Railway Age‘s 25 “Fast Trackers” for 2025, has worked in the transportation industry for almost two decades. In her current role as Head of Market Engagement & Enablement for ENSCO’s Surface Transportation Group (STG), she leads strategic market engagement, executive relationships, industry partnerships, customer connections, and initiatives that strengthen ENSCO’s presence across the global transportation industry.

Reber works to strengthen customer relationships, elevate industry visibility, and translate complex technical capabilities into clear, customer-focused value. Throughout her career, she has gained experience in sales, business development, strategic marketing, branding, executive engagement, customer relationship management, and organizational growth to provide a unique perspective on how innovation moves from technical development to industry adoption. Reber works with executive leaders and technical experts at railroads, government organizations, industry associations, and transit agencies to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation.

“The transportation industry is entering one of the most exciting periods of innovation in its history. As technologies like AI and automation continue to evolve, it’s more important than ever that we have open conversations about how we implement them responsibly, build trust, and ensure they make our transportation systems safer, more resilient, and better prepared for the future. I’m looking forward to joining this discussion and hearing perspectives from leaders across the industry.” – Acacia Reber

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Railway Age and RT&S editors have created a curated program based on community feedback that builds off the momentum of previous years and includes new sessions:

• Practical advice and guidance for launching a business or consultancy. 
• Strategies on how to balance efficiency, cost, and sustainability in modern rail projects.
• And an early celebration of American railroading’s bicentennial anniversary—coming in 2027—and how women have played a continuing role!

Key women and their allies will serve as speakers. We are excited to welcome Pam Arpin, CPKC Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer; Michael R. McClellan, Norfolk Southern Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer; Yvonne Hill-Donald, MTA Metro-North Railroad Executive Vice President–Administration; Shannon Drown, R.J. Corman Chief Commercial Officer–Railroads; Joan Smemoe, Railinc President and CEO; Jane Williams, HNTB Senior Vice President, National Practice Consultant, Policy Advisory; Ida Posner, Railroad Development Corporation Vice President & Chief Operating Officer; Henry Posner III, Railroad Development Corporation Chairman; and Jean Savage, Trinity Industries, Inc., CEO & President, among others.

Don’t miss your opportunity to learn from and connect with them all during our signature “fire-side chat”-style sessions. Moderators will include industry executives, as well as Railway Age and RT&S editors.

WHAT 2025 ATTENDEES ARE SAYING

“Each year, the conference gets better and better. I am looking forward to next year.” – Devina Miller, Norfolk Southern

“I was inspired to attend WIR along with so many bright, talented and dedicated women in the rail industry. I made some important connections and learned how diverse and interesting our backgrounds are that brought us to where we are today. I also appreciated hearing that many of us face the same challenges. A very important conference for us to be a part of in our current times.”  – Erin Stammer, PNW Railcars, Inc.

WOMEN IN RAIL AWARDS LUNCHEON

A special luncheon on Oct. 6 will honor Railway Age’s 2025 Women in Rail and RT&S’ 2026 Women in Rail Engineering award winners. Plus, for the first time, IRJ’s 2026 Women in Rail award recipients will also be recognized. Barbara Wilson, Eagle Railcar Services CEO, and Catherine Rinaldi, Gateway Development Commission Executive Vice President, will present the Railway Age awards, which they, as judges, selected along with the publication’s staff.

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

The 2026 Women in Rail Conference has garnered strong industry support with sponsorship from: GATX, Trinity Rail, R.J. Corman, API, Genesee & Wyoming, Anacostia Rail Holdings, RailPros, The Greenbrier Companies, Railroad Development Corporation, Zephyr Rail, League of Railway Women, and The National Association of Railway Business Women.

LEARN MORE

• Registration is now open, with early reduced rates valid until Aug. 28. For more information on confirmed speakers and to register, visit the event page.
• To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Chalon at  [email protected] or (212) 620-7224.

Get Up to Speed

• Meet the ‘State of the Industry’ Lineup for Women in Rail 2026
• Get Ready to Connect, Inspire, Innovate
• CPKC’s Arpin Joins Women in Rail 2026

Don’t Forget

Through Oct. 1, Railway Age is accepting nominations for its 2026 Women in Rail Awards program, which will honor 25 trailblazers for their achievements in our November issue and at the 2027 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference. Join us as we mark the 10th anniversary of our Women in Rail Awards program, celebrating female leaders in rail and pioneers with a track record of breaking down barriers and helping to create industry opportunities for women. Entries will be judged by Barbara Wilson, Eagle Railcar Services CEO, and Catherine Rinaldi, Gateway Development Commission Executive Vice President, with input from the Railway Age staff.

Submit your nomination now >>