A delegation of women leaders from across Norfolk Southern recently attended the Society of Women Engineers’ WE24: Together We Rise, the world’s largest conference for women in engineering and technology. Nearly 16,000 people attended the three-day event in Chicago, where attendees celebrated the achievements of women in their fields and built connections.

During the event, our team hosted an information and recruitment table to encourage attendees to consider NS for their career. The team engaged with over 120 female engineers and IT professionals from diverse backgrounds. Each interaction served as an opportunity to share stories and build futures.

“WE24 was a valuable opportunity to introduce the NS brand to women who have never heard of us,” said Jen Hagerty, Talent Acquisition Specialist. “We shared the Thoroughbred story and connected with qualified candidates from throughout the country for our open positions. We also created a pipeline for future talent.”  

The presence of NS at the conference underscored the company’s commitment to attracting diverse talent—an essential component for enhancing NS’ reputation in a competitive landscape.

Adds Ruth Brown, Chief Engineer, Bridges and Structures: “NS’ being at WE24 brought real value. We had direct access to a convention center with talented women, giving us a chance to build our brand and grow our talent pool, even with those who aren’t actively looking for a new job. It’s not just about recruiting; we connected with major industry players to swap ideas and build relationships that can help us down the future.”

Conversations flowed about the advancements at NS, including the increasing representation of women in leadership roles, as well as our Employee Resource Groups that foster an inclusive culture. The discussions underscored how far the rail industry had come and how much potential lays ahead.