The 一品探花 (WIT) has announced Chelsea Faulkner as its July 2025 Member of the Month. Faulkner is the Director of Operations at HandledNow.
Faulkner鈥檚 journey into the trucking industry didn鈥檛 start with a dream. It started with a 鈥測es.鈥 That one yes led her into an unexpected career that quickly became a calling. Today, Chelsea serves as a pivotal force at HandledNow, where she鈥檚 been for nearly five years. Her impact, however, goes far beyond her job title. It lives in the relationships she builds, the people she uplifts, and the space she creates for women to show up fully as themselves.
"I didn鈥檛 grow up dreaming about working in trucking," Faulkner admits, "but I landed here for a reason." From the beginning, she understood that the heartbeat of trucking wasn鈥檛 just freight or logistics. It was people. She learned this early on when she watched her company help a driver who couldn鈥檛 afford gas to get to his interview, and no one expected anything in return. 鈥淲e just did it because that鈥檚 what it means to show up for people,鈥 she says. Moments like that are what confirmed for her that she was exactly where she was meant to be.
At the center of Faulkner鈥檚 approach is one simple belief: trucking should be personal. Drivers deserve more than just job placements. They deserve advocates. Faulkner is proud to be one. 鈥淚 have the hard conversations. I build trust,鈥 she says. 鈥淲hen someone tells me what they really need, I go to work.鈥
As a life coach and relationship builder, Faulkner sees her mission clearly. She wants to shake things up in the trucking world and push the boundaries of what leadership looks like. Her dream is for women to see that they don鈥檛 just belong in this space, they are essential to transforming it. Whether they鈥檙e in the driver鈥檚 seat or leading teams from the C-suite, Faulkner believes women bring a needed shift.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not just here to fill quotas,鈥 she says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e here to lead, to innovate, and to change the game.鈥 She envisions a future where women feel empowered to show up boldly, without apology. Through her coaching, she challenges women to grow beyond the belief that they must stay small or stay safe. 鈥淚 help women who are feeling stuck break through limiting beliefs and reclaim their spark,鈥 she says.
Faulkner鈥檚 approach is rooted in connection. When women work with her at HandledNow, they鈥檒l find more than a recruiter. They鈥檒l find someone who listens, someone who pushes them to grow, and someone who truly sees them. 鈥淚鈥檓 here to break the cycle of just doing your job,鈥 she explains. 鈥淕et curious. Get uncomfortable. That鈥檚 where the growth is.鈥
Recognition has never been Faulkner鈥檚 goal, but it has certainly found her. Being named Women In Trucking鈥檚 July Member of the Month was, in her words, 鈥渢he kind of joyful surprise that reminded me I鈥檓 exactly where I鈥檓 meant to be.鈥 Her passion for people, her deep sense of purpose, and her refusal to settle for the status quo have made her a standout in the industry.
Faulkner credits her growth to lessons she learned the hard way and wishes someone had told her sooner that every role matters. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e behind the wheel or behind a desk, you have the power to change this industry,鈥 she says. And when it comes to advocating for yourself, her advice is clear: 鈥渄on鈥檛 disqualify yourself from the table before you even sit down. Sometimes the only permission you need is your own.鈥
Her involvement with Women In Trucking has only strengthened her resolve. The community, she says, is filled with 鈥減henomenal, driven women鈥 who are collectively building a better future. It has shown her that she鈥檚 not alone in her mission to challenge norms and uplift others.
Looking ahead, Faulkner has big plans. In the next year, she hopes to expand her impact both as a leader in trucking and as a coach. Five years from now, she envisions herself mentoring, speaking, and creating spaces where women no longer feel they must shrink to succeed. 鈥淚 want to be a loud, proud force for women in this industry,鈥 she says.
When she鈥檚 not working, Faulkner is a writer, explorer, and proud mom. She taught herself how to blog through her website, , and turned that creativity into opportunities to travel with her kids. Her travel bucket list is ever-growing with destinations such as Scotland, Italy, Greece, and China. Though not a big TV person, she admits to indulging in shows like Bridgerton and Outer Banks. And whether it鈥檚 through YouTube Music or her local library app, Libby, she surrounds herself with stories and songs that keep her inspired.
Above all, Faulkner is passionate about connection. 鈥淚f you walk away from my story feeling empowered, feeling seen, and thinking maybe it鈥檚 time you took up a little more space, good,鈥 she says. 鈥淩each out. Let鈥檚 grow together in trucking, in coaching, and in life. You don鈥檛 have to do this alone.鈥
As a member of the 一品探花, stay on top of emerging trends and business issues impacting transportation and logistics; learn the importance of gender diversity in the workplace and the need for more women drivers; and see best practices in encouraging the employment of women in the trucking industry. Join today! Learn More