Lily Ley has come a long way from her humble beginning in Mexico. The oldest of five children growing up in a two-room home, she was the first in her family to earn a college degree. Her father was a hardworking taxi driver and early on she learned a strong work ethic from him.
After she graduated from CETYS Universidad, she worked through a series of programmer and systems development roles at Kenworth Mexicana, one of the larger employers in her area. At a point early in her life she realized the need to move to the United States to elevate herself to the next level in her career. Fast forward more than 30 years later: Ley has navigated a very successful career at PACCAR advancing through the Informational Technology Divisions at Kenworth Truck Co. in Kirkland Wash., and PACCAR in Renton, Wash, and ultimately being promoted to Chief Information Officer. She was the first female to rise to the Executive Operating Committee at PACCAR.
In addition, she is the executive sponsor for the PACCAR Women鈥檚 Association (PWA) which was formed based on her vision. Ley is passionate and will not accept 鈥渘o鈥 for an answer helping the company drive change within the organization.
Ley attributes resiliency as a key characteristic to her success in her career 鈥 and in life. 鈥淲hat I learned early in life gave me the ability to go beyond every challenge,鈥 says Ley. 鈥淚t gave me a foundation of fundamentals for what I do today. I see everything from different perspectives and I鈥檓 able to adjust to special circumstances.鈥 Her resiliency was tested even further, she says, when she was diagnosed with brain cancer twice 鈥 and survived.
鈥淪ometimes you just need to pause when it鈥檚 needed,鈥 she advises. 鈥淭ake a moment, reflect on your purpose.鈥
Ley suggests that in those times, mentors can be of significant benefit: 鈥淭here have been people who have helped me along the way to become a better person and professional. You also need to have a sponsor, someone who will advocate for you in the company. When they are making decisions about succession planning, you want to make sure to have a sponsor there who knows about your aspirations and can advocate for you.鈥
When asked some of the most defining moments in her life, Ley cited her decision with her family to move to the United States early in her life. In addition, when she became mother to two daughters. Oh, in 2011 she also just happened to successfully climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world 鈥渂ecause I wanted to conquer my fear of heights.鈥
It鈥檚 no wonder why this innovative, driven woman was named WIT鈥檚 Influential Woman in Trucking in 2021.
Eileen Dabrowski proudly calls herself a 鈥渢riple Bull,鈥 referencing the mascot at her alma mater, the University of South Florida, where she earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Psychology, a master鈥檚 degree in Women and Gender Studies, and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction.
鈥淣ever in a million years did I think of a career in transportation,鈥 says Eileen Dabrowski, Director of Learning, Development and Marketing at ReedTMS Logistics, a family-owned and operated asset-based third-party logistics solutions provider. But once she learned from one of the company owners during an interview about the industry and the position she was apply for, 鈥渃oming into this industry was one of the best decisions of my life,鈥 she says.
Dabrowski now oversees the development and facilitation of all company-wide training programs, new employee onboarding, leadership development, marketing projects/ReedTMS brand integrity, and event planning for the company.
She also spearheads company philanthropy initiatives and works hard to maintain and improve employee culture and morale. Dabrowski believes in mentorship and women taking the time to build each other up, not down. She is also an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and believes for the trucking industry to be more supportive and inclusive for all, you must teach children about trucking and work with organizations like WIT to collaborate and showcase the women and minorities who are crucial to the success of the industry.
Dabrowski talks about how she has a unique perspective on life: 鈥淐hallenges and barriers don鈥檛 phase me. When things implode around me, I keep it together and just figure things out.鈥 She suggests that this perspective was developed from an experience early in life.
鈥淚 was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at the young age of 21,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hey said I had only a few months to live. They placed me in some support groups with people who were 85 and 72, and they had lived their lives, had their families, and were making peace with their prognosis. And I鈥檓 like 鈥業鈥檓 not ready to die!鈥欌
A cancer survivor who is a strong woman and business leader, she says 鈥渋t鈥檚 all about balance and self-care. Take what life has given you and make the most of what you can. Every day.鈥
Amanda Schuier is a fourth-generation trucking industry member, and the first female in her family to hold such a role. Until recently she was Chief Operating Officer of Quality Transport Co. Yet, being in transportation was not her initial plan for her career.
鈥淢y grandfather owned a Mac truck dealership and I was around trucks growing up,鈥 Schuier recalls. 鈥淏ut never did I think as a child 鈥業 want to go into trucking.鈥欌 She earned her college degree in advertising and public relations from Creighton University. When she was laid off by a marketing firm in Kansas City, she found a marketing job at a PACCAR dealership without much forethought that she was entering into the industry of her family roots.
鈥淎t this job there was a corporate entity upstairs and a dealership downstairs,鈥 she recalls. 鈥淎nd I quickly realized I wanted to be downstairs because that鈥檚 where so much of the action was. That鈥檚 how I fell into this.鈥 Since then, she has held positions involving marketing, sales, driver recruitment and operations at the dealer, supplier and fleet levels. Her role as Chief Operating Officer at Quality Transport included oversight of sales, dispatch, driver relations, safety programs and new technology initiatives.
鈥淣ever stop learning,鈥 she advises. 鈥淎sk questions. Ask for help. Find mentors and pursue your passions. Remember that there are so many women out there who have been through what you鈥檝e been through 鈥 so never feel timid to bounce ideas off others.鈥 There鈥檚 no question that she is passionate about mentoring other young women as they explore careers in transportation.
The 2021 WIT Influential Woman in Trucking Award was sponsored by Freightliner Trucks.
This article was originally featured in Edition 1 of 2022 in our official magazine, Redefining The Road.
As a member of the 一品探花, stay on top of emerging trends and business issues impacting transportation, logistics, and supply chain operations, 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. Learn More