Ellen Voie, the founder of the Women In Trucking Association, a non-profit organization, is a nationally renowned speaker and expert on gender diversity and inclusion for women in non-traditional transportation jobs. The Women In Trucking Association was founded to encourage women’s employment in the trucking business, remove barriers that may prevent them from thriving, and recognize their accomplishments.
Below are the highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Ellen Voie.
Brief our audience about your journey as a business leader. What challenges you had to face to reach where you are today?
In 2000, I had just completed my master’s degree in Communication (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) and I was ready to move beyond my freelance consulting to find a different role. I served on the board of directors of Trucker Buddy International, a pen-pal program for professional drivers and elementary classrooms. They were seeking a new executive director and I jumped at the chance. I was hired, and I led the organization for six years. During that time, I elevated my presence in the trucking industry and made many professional contacts. Later, I was recruited by Schneider, Inc., one of the largest carriers in the country. They asked me to lead corporate level retention and recruiting efforts. One of the challenges was better understanding how to attract, retain and accommodate female drivers. At the same time, I was working on my pilot’s license and belonged to a group for female aviators. I felt there should be a similar group in the trucking industry, so I reached out to some influential women, and we agreed on a mission, and in March of 2007, the Women In Trucking Association, Inc. was formed.
Describe Women In Trucking’s offerings that address the needs of your members.
In order to grow, we needed to understand what our members were experiencing and how we could address their challenges and create opportunities. We spent a great deal of time listening to their concerns first. We knew they needed a resource, a place to go for support, information, and to network. We are providing that for them. Some of our resources include publications such as our recruiting and retention guide, an anti-harassment employment guide and best practices research. We also offer a weekly e-newsletter, monthly webinars, our publication, Redefining the Road, and our annual conference, as well as a Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event to honor female professional drivers. We also recognize individuals and organizations with numerous awards, such as the Influential Woman in Trucking, Distinguished Woman in Logistics and Driver of the Year. In the near future, we will be expanding to regional and local events by establishing chapters.
What are the challenges you and your team at Women In Trucking come across in your day-to-day operations?
The greatest challenge we face is changing the image of the trucking industry. Too many people outside of the supply chain don’t appreciate the safety focus of these carriers and they don’t relate the trucks to themselves. Our goal is to ensure that when they see an 18-wheeler on the road, they make a connection to their own needs. For example, when they see a fuel truck, they should consider how the gas makes their cars and trucks run, or when they see a refrigerated trailer, they should know that it’s delivering their groceries to their local store.
What people, what books, what life factors have influenced and impacted you?
I read constantly to better understand how to empower women in non-traditional careers. Currently, I am re-reading Jim Collins’ Good to Great book so I can be a level five leader in both the Women In Trucking Association and in the industry as well.
In regard to life factors, I would have to credit my mom, who always made me feel as if I could do anything. She wanted me to challenge myself and didn’t want me to succumb to gender stereotypes that might limit my choices.
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drive Women In Trucking.
As a leader, I hire team members who are self-motivated and are driven to work together to advance our mission. We do not have scheduled work hours and we don’t dictate vacations or time off, as we only measure the results of our employees. We offer liberal benefits and work hard to accommodate a work life balance for all of our staff.
Where do you envision yourself being in the long run and what are your future goals for Women In Trucking?
Personally, I am working on my succession plan so I can retire in the coming years. As the founder, I have always been the face of the organization and in order to move on, we needed to fill this role. I envision an organization that grows and expands beyond the ten countries where our members currently reside. We need to grow our membership to be a greater resource in the industry.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs?
Keep your focus on the mission. Determine what you want to accomplish in the coming years, and while you may need to adjust in small ways, don’t waver from your ultimate goal. Don’t compromise your values and, most importantly, hire the right people who will support your vision.
