Trackside Stars
Shining a Light on Excellence
Here, we shine a light on the trailblazers, the go-getters, and the unsung heroes of our chapter - those who’ve made their mark and continue to inspire.
Yolanda Barbosa
Yolanda Barbosa Featured in National Museum of Mexican Art Exhibition.
We are proud to celebrate our member Yolanda, whose family’s extraordinary three‑generation railroad legacy is featured in the new exhibition Rieles y Raíces: Traqueros in Chicago and the Midwest at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago.
Exhibition Details
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Rieles y Raíces: Traqueros in Chicago and the Midwest
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Dates: November 21, 2025 – April 26, 2026
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Location: National Museum of Mexican Art, Xicágo Gallery
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Curators: Ismael Cuevas, M.A. & Alejandro Benavides, Ph.D.
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Sponsor: BNSF
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This powerful exhibition highlights the often ‑ overlooked history of Mexican and Mexican ‑ American traqueros — railroad workers whose labor shaped Chicago and the Midwest for more than a century. Through community stories and archival research, the exhibit honors the families who built their lives along the very tracks they maintained.
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About Yolanda
Yolanda’s story is deeply rooted in this history.
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Her grandfather immigrated from Mexico in the 1920s and worked for the New York Central Railroad in both New York and Chicago, eventually becoming a locomotive engineer.
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Her father began his career with Amtrak in 1977 as a switch operator in Chicago and retired after 33 years of dedicated service in the Material Controls department.
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Her second cousin spent nearly three decades with the Chicago Northwest Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad, navigating strikes, relocations, and the changing landscape of the industry.
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Yolanda proudly continued this legacy, contributing 15 years of service within the railroad industry. Her family’s multigenerational commitment reflects the resilience, pride, and cultural heritage celebrated in this exhibition.
We congratulate Yolanda on this meaningful recognition and encourage our members to visit the exhibit and honor the stories of the traqueros who helped shape our nation’s railroads.
Blair Theuerkauf
Metra, Senior Counsel
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Congratulations to Blair Theuerkauf on being a recipient of the Railway Age 2025 Women in Rail Award.
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Blaire Theuerkauf serves as Senior Counsel at Metra, where she advises on a wide range of legal matters impacting one of the nation’s largest and most complex commuter rail systems. Prior to transitioning to Metra, Blaire practiced civil litigation related to negligence, employment, toxic tort, premise liability, product liability and complex construction.
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Blaire earned her Bachelor's degree from Augustana College in International Business, Political Science and Asian Studies, and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law.
Gina Drinkwater
Celebrating Excellence in Rail!
Congratulations to our NARBW member Gina Drinkwater who was recognized at the October 2025 Railway Age/RT&S Conference for her honorable mention in their Railway Age Women in Rail feature!
Gina Drinkwater began her railroad career as a Journeyman Car Inspector and rose through the ranks to Mechanical Foreman, General Foreman and her current role as is the Mechanical Shop Superintendent at Metra's Kensington Yard.
As shop superintendent, Gina, oversees the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of Metra's rolling stock. With a career that began as a Journeyman Car Inspector, Gina has risen through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional leadership and technical expertise. In her role, Gina manages a team of skilled mechanics and technicians, ensuring that repairs are carried out efficiently and effectively. She coordinates repair schedules to minimize downtime, maintains high safety and performance standards, and ensures compliance with crucial safety regulations. Gina's commitment to training and guiding her team has fostered a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Gina was also recognized in Metra’s 2023 Women Hall of fame for being the first woman shop superintendent and foreman.
In addition to career achievements, Gina has a passion for giving back to the community. She participates in many initiatives from food and clothing drives to her annual Arthur Burgess Jr. Trunk Drive charity, an organization that Gina founded. Each year she organizes the collection of hundreds of dorm room supplies to fill dozens of trunks for students going away to college.
We are proud to have such an accomplished and dedicated leader among our members. Congratulations, Gina, on this well-deserved recognition!
Janice R. Thomas
Deputy Executive Director of External Affairs/Chief of Staff at Metra and member of NARBW Chicago, served as the keynote speaker at the League of Railway Women 2025 Symposium: Navigating the Rail Industry - Telling Your Story, held on June 11, 2025.
The symposium gathered over 100 participants from the rail industry, at Chicago’s Willis Tower for a day dedicated to professional development, inspiration, and networking. Ms. Thomas delivered an impactful address focusing on leadership, visibility, and service within the rail sector. Her remarks emphasized the significance of authenticity, self-awareness, confidence, and resilience for women navigating the challenges of the rail profession.
LaShelle Pearson
Officer Signals and Communications Projects, CN
Congratulations to LaShelle Pearson on being a recipient of the Railway Age 2023 Women in Rail Award.
LaShelle Pearson became Engineering Project Officer in CN’s Signals and Communications department in 2020. She oversees special capital projects that minimize risk and improve safety. The railroad’s Wheel Impact Load Detection and Cracked Rim Detection system projects—both of which help automate inspections and prevent derailments—faced numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. But Pearson and her team overcame them.
As a woman who indirectly led an all-male team on the Wheel Impact Load Detection System project, Pearson established credibility, answering technical questions and providing clear, detailed instructions on what she required. Throughout the project, she kept in contact with field personnel to ensure they worked efficiently and effectively and had everything they needed to complete the job safely. She also kept all stakeholders informed. The project was completed on time and under budget with three system installations. Another system is slated to be installed this year.
Prior to joining CN, Pearson was Infrastructure Manager for Memphis (Tenn.) Area Transit Authority, where she led the restoration of the city’s trolley system. Today, she is Chair of the CN Women’s Employee Resource Group and led the development of its mentorship program. She is also Chair of Kennedy Cares, which provides blankets and self-care items to the homeless community in Jackson, Tenn.
Paula Taylor
Congratulations to Paula Taylor on being a recipient of the Railway Age 2023 Women in Rail Award.
Paula Taylor, Assistant Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers, Metra
Paula Taylor’s career reflects a steady rise built on determination, skill, and a commitment to service. She began her railroad journey at Metra Commuter Railroad in 2013 as an assistant conductor, quickly advancing to conductor and earning her qualification as a locomotive engineer by November 2016. Her technical expertise, leadership, and reliability led to her current role as Assistant Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers.
Beyond her professional achievements, Paula is deeply engaged in the rail community. She volunteers with multiple organizations and holds leadership roles as vice president of both the National Association of Railway Business Women and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Local 131. Her work in these organizations reflects her dedication to mentorship, advocacy, and strengthening the industry for future generations. Paula attributes her continued growth to a desire to learn, develop new skills, and take on challenges that make a meaningful impact. She encourages others to be proactive, embrace their individuality, and remain resilient through obstacles.
Jenny Kane
Director, Rail Contract Management & Special Projects, Metra
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Congratulations to Jenny Kane on being a recipient of the RAILWAY AGE, 25 ‘Fast Trackers’ Under 40 in 2024
Jenny Kane is managing the transfer of commuter rail services from Union Pacific to Metra commuter railroad in Chicago; this includes a 30% increase in Metra’s headcount and operational responsibility for three additional rail lines in a transaction worth $200 million annually. What sets her apart is her willingness to “meet people where they are” regardless of job responsibility. She is completing a management and labor program overhaul, and has support from all sides, largely because of her willingness to listen.
With more than a decade of commuter rail and transit experience, Kane authored Metra’s first-ever FRA-approved Part 270 System Safety Program Plan; served on the APTA Working Group that drafted a Recommend Practice document for Safety and Security Certification; and managed the safety and security oversight function of five rail system new starts during construction, testing, and pre-revenue operations (Honolulu rail transit, KC Streetcar, DC Streetcar, St. Louis Loop Trolley, and Detroit Streetcar). She is part of APTA’s Leadership 2024 class and was selected for Metra’s My Metra Honors program for Improving Efficiency.
CleLeatha Shaw
Manager-Crew Management, Metra
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Congratulations to CleLeatha Shaw on being a recipient of the Railway Age 2022 Women in Rail Award.
Shaw served as a Metra commuter railroad Crew Caller for 15 years before becoming department manager during a manpower shortage. When the secretary to the director position was eliminated, she took on the responsibilities, including ordering supplies for the Consolidated Control Facility, and when her Chief Crew Clerk stepped down, she added scheduling, employee time claims, and training to her role. Additionally, when no one is available to contractually work a Crew Dispatcher position, she reports for duty. Due to questions daily regarding manpower, Shaw designed a report that she manages and distributes to all executive officers.
Metra recently implemented a new crew system, and Shaw set up and assisted with training more than 400 engineers and conductors to handle hours of service on their iPads. She also works hand in hand with the Labor department to uphold union contracts. Outside of work, Shaw serves as Vice President of the National Railroad Superintendent Association and President of the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Railway Business Women, participating with members at breast cancer walks, cooking family meals at the Ronald McDonald House, and packing food for the Chicago Food Depository to be delivered to shelters across the city.
Jacqueline Watkins
Metra Safety Project Manager of Positive Train Control
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Congratulations to Jacqueline Watkins on being a recipient of the Railway Age 2021 Women in Rail Award.
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Jaqueline Watkins has been recognized with the Railway Age Women in Rail Award for her significant contributions to the industry. Her career at Metra spans over 22 years, starting as an extra list clerk and progressing to a trainmaster.
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Watkins has since taken on the role of managing the safety of the Positive Train Control rollout, a position that highlights her expertise and dedication to safety within the rail industry. Her achievements and leadership have made her a role model for many, and her award is a testament to her impact and influence.
Amy Louk
Manager of Administrative and Marketing Support, New York and Atlantic Railway
Congratulations to Amy Louk on being a 2021 Railway Age Women in Rail Recipient!
Amy Louk, manager of administration and marketing support for the New York & Atlantic Railway, has been named to Railway Age magazine’s fifth annual Women in Rail program, which recognizes 26 women for their accomplishments in the North American railroad industry.
Louk’s responsibilities at NY&A include managing day-to-day commercial relationships with other railroads and shippers; maintaining the railroad’s pricing matrix and making pricing decisions; overseeing compliance and monitoring of the company’s drug and alcohol program; managing local accounts payable; and auditing NY&A’s compliance with hours-of-service regulations.
Louk’s work wins high praise from Charles Samul, NY&A’s director of sales and marketing, who cites her ability to handle multiple, unrelated assignments.
In addition to her management duties, Louk serves as NY&A’s point person for community activities, including the selection of philanthropies the railroad supports. These include the Island Harvest Food Bank, Pronto Long Island food bank and thrift shop, Allied Veterans Memorial Committee of Ridgewood and Glendale, United Jewish Appeal, and a youth baseball team.
