LRW Appoints New Board Members

(Courtesy of LRW)

The League of Railway Women (LRW) has announced its 2025 Board of Directors, whose members will focus on promoting the association’s mission “to enhance the representation, recognition, and opportunities for women in the rail industry; opening doors for learning and development opportunities; and unlocking new avenues for growth and leadership.”

This year’s Board includes two new executive committee members and three new Directors-at-Large.

Lisa Tackach (Railroad Construction Company, Inc.) was appointed LRW President, and Crystal Gitchell (American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association/ASLRRA) and Shundrekia Stewart (Trinity Industries) moved from Directors-at-Large to executive officers. New Directors-at-Large include Christy Terry (Alaska Railroad); Mariah Morales (Amtrak); and Kayden Howard (OmniTrax).

Following is the full Board:

Executive Officers:

• President: Lisa Tackach, Head of Marketing, Railroad Construction Company, Inc.
• Vice President: Katie Kachel, Principal, Blank Rome Govt. Relations LLC
• Treasurer: Nicole McKinstry, VP Sales Operations, The Greenbrier Companies
• Parliamentarian: Crystal Gitchell, Assistant Vice President, Legislative and Regulatory Policy, ASLRRA
• Secretary: Shundrekia Stewart, Vice President, Downstream & Chemicals, Trinity Industries
• Immediate Past President: Sarah Yurasko, Senior Vice President Law and General Counsel, ASLRRA

Directors-at-Large:

• Kristen Canfield, Tax Program Manager, Indurante & Associates, Inc.
• Sarah Dimmich, Partner, Stuart & Branigin, LLC
• Avalisha Fisher, President, Driven Engineering, Inc.
• Andrea Niethold, Director, U.S. Government Affairs, CN
• Linda Hernandez, Director Industrial Development, CPKC de Mexico
• Mallory Moran, Senior Sales & Marketing Manager, The Greenbrier Companies
• Christine Kalil, Superintendent Asset Management QNS&L Railway, Rio Tinto/Iron Ore Company of Canada/QNS&L
• Christy Terry, Vice President of Real Estate, Alaska Railroad
• Mariah Morales, Director of Government Affairs, Amtrak
• Kayden Howard, Senior Vice President of Health, Safety, and Environmental Programs, OmniTrax

“This is an exciting time for the LRW as we continue to expand programming, events, and educational opportunities for our members,” said Lisa Tackach, LRW President. “I look forward to collaborating with my fellow board members to foster an environment where every woman in rail can connect, learn, innovate, and grow in her career. On behalf of the Board, I extend the deepest gratitude to our immediate past president, Sarah Yurasko [of ASLRRA], whose dedication and vision have established a strong foundation for us to build upon. We are ready to advance our mission, create new opportunities, and shape the future for women in rail.”

The LRW recently named Amtrak Corporate Secretary and Ethics Officer Eleanor “Eldie” D. Acheson the winner of its 2024 Railway Woman of the Year award, an annual award that “honors a woman who establishes a strong vision and a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, and brings excellence to her organization and community, all while supporting the personal and professional growth of others in the rail industry.”