- Women In Trucking names Ryder leaders to its annual list for the sixth consecutive year
- Honorees recognized for advancing safety innovation, driving business growth, and mentoring emerging talent in transportation and logistics
Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) honors Rhonda McKown and Heike Dasilva for their recognition as 2026 “Top Women to Watch in Trucking” by Redefining the Road, the official magazine of the Women In Trucking Association (WIT). Established in 2018, the annual award celebrates industry leaders who have achieved significant career accomplishments in the past 12 to 18 months, while going the extra mile to foster inclusion and support other women at their companies and across the industry.
“Rhonda and Heike represent the best of Ryder’s culture, where strong leadership means delivering results while creating opportunities for others to succeed,” says Lesley Kerr, Ryder’s vice president of human resources and a member of the WIT board of directors. “Their impact reaches far beyond their individual roles, and this recognition reflects the standard they set every day.”
Among this year’s 75 honorees, Ryder’s leaders have been recognized for the following:
- Rhonda McKown, Group Technical Safety Engineer, is recognized for advancing Ryder’s driver‑centric safety culture through practical innovation and collaborative leadership. Over the past 12-18 months, she has led several high-impact initiatives to modernize safety programs by combining technology, data, and human‑centered coaching. Her work includes strengthening personalized driver coaching, launching a targeted risk‑reduction campaign, and redesigning fatigue and distraction programs into proactive, automated processes that prioritize driver well‑being.
- Heike Dasilva, Group Director of National Sales, is recognized for delivering strong commercial results while developing the next generation of leaders at Ryder. Over the past 4 years, she has led the company’s largest Fleet Management Solutions sales territory, expanding her responsibility and annual revenue portfolio while helping to secure new business. Under her leadership, the business unit ranked among Ryder’s top performers for customer satisfaction. A committed mentor and former recipient of the WIT Foundation’s Leadership Scholarship, Heike has coached emerging sales leaders into management roles while continuing her own professional development, earning an MBA and volunteering as a certified mentor for local small business owners.
Ryder is committed to the employment and advancement of women in trucking, fostering connections, and recognizing achievements across the industry.
For the full list of the 2026 “Top Women to Watch in Trucking” recipients, visit: https://www.womenintrucking.org/top-women-to-watch
