The transportation and infrastructure sectors are undergoing a historic transformation. Once defined by rigid traditionalism, these fields are being reimagined by a new generation of female leaders who are steering the industry toward a more innovative, sustainable, and inclusive future. Over the past ten years, the narrative has shifted from one of simple entry to one of significant influence.

A deeply inspiring story of the last decade is the steady rise of women into the C-suite. According to McKinsey & Company’s 10th-anniversary Women in the Workplace report (2024), women’s representation in senior leadership across all corporate sectors has grown from 17% in 2015 to 29% in 2024.

This momentum is hitting high gear in transportation. The 2024–25 Women In Trucking (WIT) Index reveals that women now hold 28% of C-suite positions and 34.5% of supervisory roles within this industry. These leaders are not just filling seats; they are at the helm of critical shifts in digital logistics, autonomous vehicle integration, and green supply chain initiatives.

This progress extends into the built environment, where Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) firms serve as the backbone of our transit systems, roads and bridges. While these fields have faced imbalances, the last decade has seen a surge in female professional participation:

• Engineering Milestones:  The technical core of the industry—engineering—has seen a remarkable influx of female talent. The Society of Women Engineers report that over the last decade, the number of women earning engineering degrees has more than doubled. And Zippia reports that women now make up approximately 19.4% of transportation engineers and 26.2% of civil transportation engineers in the U.S.
• Construction Momentum: In the construction industry, women’s employment reached an all-time high in 2023, with over 1.2 million women in the workforce. Crucially, the gender pay gap in construction is one of the narrowest in the U.S., with women earning approximately 95% of what men earn (NAWIC), compared to the 82% national average.

Why does the shift matter? Research consistently shows that companies with gender-diverse leadership are 25% more likely to achieve above-average profitability (McKinsey and Company). In a sector facing an aging workforce—where nearly 25% of transportation workers are over 55—women are among the essential talent solutions for the next century of infrastructure (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

How do we accelerate the momentum? Remember the old phrase, “each one, teach one?” Well that still holds true. The industry must include an array of tools in the toolchest to prepare the workforce of tomorrow. Mentorship, professional development and a continued focus on safety (physical and psychological) are key.

At WTS International, we pride ourselves on readying the next generation of leaders through mentoring, scholarships and career development at every stage. Our mentoring programs propel the transportation cohort of tomorrow from coast to coast. In addition, we award approximately one million dollars in scholarships annually to students who are choosing transportation as their profession.

Moreover, companies must ensure safety at the physical site as well at the office. When an employee feels safe in both areas, productivity is bound to move upward.

WTS international plays a critical role in advancing the transportation industry. With more than 10,000 members and 72 chapters across the United States and Canada, our membership touches every mode and business vertical in the industry. As more companies that serve the transportation field embed engaging metrics into their core business strategies, the path forward is clear: an industry that represents all is a more resilient, innovative, and successful one.