When:
June 12, 2025, from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm EDT
Cost:
$50 (Adults), $500 (Groups – 10 People), FREE (Students)
Proceeds will fund a scholarship for a deserving woman looking for a career in rail.
VIEWING PARTY : We are pleased to offer a group rate (for 10 people) so that companies can hold viewing parties for staff members interested in attending the conference. As an exciting addition, if you send us a photo of your viewing party for our social media, you will be entered into a random draw for a coffee party on behalf of the RAC. You set the date and time and we will take care of the rest!
Registration
Speakers
Meet our incredible lineup of speakers and panelists.
Janet Drysdale
Janet was appointed Senior Vice-President and Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer in March 2023. She drives the Company’s stakeholder engagement and communications strategies, which includes public and government affairs, media relations, corporate communications, as well as investor relations.
Brigitte Diogo
Brigitte Diogo was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Transport Canada, effective May 6, 2024. Prior to this, she served as Deputy Commissioner of the Canada Revenue Agency starting in April 2022.
Fay Pittman
Fay Pittman is the Chief Engineer at Metrolinx and leads the Asset Management & Maintenance division. She and her team act as the enterprise engineering technical authority, conduct asset lifecycle management, lead technical systems integration, and deliver various maintenance responsibilities and execution of state of good repair projects.
Zahra Al-Harazi
The road to real leadership is rarely a straight one. Among Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs, few have faced more obstacles than Zahra Al-Harazi. With a no-holds-barred attitude, Al-Harazi helps people and organizations realize their potential for success through finding their purpose.
Rebecca Robinson
Rebecca Robinson hired into the rail industry as a Conductor in 2008 and became a qualified Locomotive Engineer in 2013. She also held a position as a Local Chairperson for Division 668 with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference for seven years from 2013-2020.
Gina Trombley
Gina Trombley is Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Chief Commercial Officer – Americas for Wabtec. A seasoned executive with more than 30 years’ experience in the fields of transportation, infrastructure, strategy, and business development, Trombley oversees commercial sales, marketing, and all corporate strategy functions for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Latin America.
Vanessa Cherenfant
Ms. Cherenfant joined VIA Rail in December 2023 as Chief Strategy Officer. In her role, she oversees the Corporate Strategy, Enterprise Risk Management, Sustainability, Real Estate and Continuous Improvement teams to ensure the realization of VIA’s strategic plan and to support the organization’s long-term financial health, growth and success.
Themes
Cultivating a Culture of Change: Empowering Inclusion and Gender Equity
This panel will explore how fostering the right organizational culture can accelerate transformation while also creating a more inclusive workplace. It will highlight actionable strategies for companies to attract, empower, and advance women, ensuring diversity becomes a catalyst for meaningful and sustainable change.
Breakout Room 1: Laying the Tracks: Attracting and Supporting Women in Early Rail Careers
How can we spark interest in rail careers among women and create clear entry pathways? This session will focus on outreach strategies, industry awareness, and early career support. Experts will be available to discuss best practices for recruitment, education partnerships, and workplace culture shifts that make rail an appealing and inclusive industry.
Breakout Room 2: Staying on Track – Building Careers and Advancing Women in Rail
Once women enter the rail industry, how do we support their long-term success? This session will explore career growth, leadership development, and retention strategies. Experts will be available to share insights on mentorship, sponsorship, skills development, and workplace policies that help women advance and thrive in the industry.
Schedule
12:30
Welcome and opening remarks by Eric Harvey, President and CEO, Railway Association of Canada
12:35
Moderator: Janet Drysdale, Senior Vice-President and Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer and RAC Board Chair
12:40 – 13:35
Keynote speaker: Zahra Al-Harazi, Award-Winning Entrepreneur | Purpose-Driven Leadership Expert
13:35 – 13:45
Break
13:45 – 15:00
Cultivating a Culture of Change: Empowering Inclusion and Gender Equity
This panel will explore how fostering the right organizational culture can accelerate transformation while also creating a more inclusive workplace. It will highlight actionable strategies for companies to attract, empower, and advance women, ensuring diversity becomes a catalyst for meaningful and sustainable change.
Brigitte Diogo, Associate Deputy Minister, Transport Canada
Gina Trombley, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Chief Commercial Officer – Americas, Wabtec
Vanessa Cherenfant, Chief Strategy and Risk Officer, VIA Rail Canada
15:00
Closing remarks by Janet Drysdale, Senior Vice-President and Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer and RAC Board Chair
Information on breakout rooms by Lora Smith, Vice-President, Public and Government Affairs, Railway Association of Canada
15:05 – 15:30
Breakout Room 1 : Laying the Tracks – Attracting and Supporting Women in Early Rail Careers
How can we spark interest in rail careers among women and create clear entry pathways? This session will focus on outreach strategies, industry awareness, and early career support. Experts will be available to discuss best practices for recruitment, education partnerships, and workplace culture shifts that make rail an appealing and inclusive industry.
Rebecca Robinson, Trainer, CN
Breakout Room 2 : Staying on Track – Building Careers and Advancing Women in Rail
Once women enter the rail industry, how do we support their long-term success? This session will explore career growth, leadership development, and retention strategies. Experts will be available to share insights on mentorship, sponsorship, skills development, and workplace policies that help women advance and thrive in the industry.
Fay Pittman, Chief Engineer, Metrolinx
Lisa Tuningley, President, T-RAIL Products
Benefits
Discover the benefits of attending the Women In Rail conference:
Professional development and career advancement. Eager to start a career in Rail?
Networking opportunities with industry leaders and peers.
Access to the latest trends and developments in rail industry.