Michelle Ardron
Manager, Trains Operations, VIA Rail Canada

Michelle began her railway career in 1988 hiring on with CP Rail as a yardman brakeman. In 1992 Michelle qualified as a locomotive engineer and was their first female for the Toronto Division.

After spending nearly 10 years at CP Rail and finishing up a career there as a CROR instructor she left to join Transport Canada in 1997. Michelle was again their first female in Operations for the Ontario Region and was a Railway Safety Inspector and Occupational Health and Safety Officer for 16 ½ years.

Michelle then joined VIA Rail in 2013 as a Manager Train Operations and has spent time working as their Senior Specialist Operating Practices and Regulatory Compliance.

Michelle graduated from the University of Toronto with a Hon B.A. in 2021 having studied part time while working full time.

She is passionate about Diversity, Inclusion and Equality in the workplace and strives to ensure that corporate decisions consider this.

She is an advocate for women in non-traditional roles and has been engaged to speak at Toronto area schools.

Michelle is a mom of two beautiful daughters and a grandmother of one grandson.