Global telematics provider Teletrac Navman has launched an International Women’s Day special of its Going the Extra Mile campaign, featuring four women from New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States who work in the transport industry.
Launched in April 2021, Going the Extra Mile started as a campaign to recognise and reward hidden heroes within the transport and logistics industry who had gone above and beyond to ensure operations continue to run smoothly during the pandemic.
In its latest International Women’s Day-themed episode, Teletrac Navman spoke to Fiona McDonagh, Courtney Sertdemir, Beth Jones, and Angie Daugherty, about their experiences in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
When asked about her experience, Fiona McDonagh, Membership Manager at Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand, said:
“It’s still a buzz when I see a woman behind the wheel of one of the bigger rigs on the road, it always brings a smile and it’s great to know that’s happening more and more often. For me, it means progression. It means we’ve opened another avenue for women to explore a career doing what they love, whether that’s behind the wheel, in an operational space or even under the bonnet. I’m still hopeful that one day having women in our industry will just be a part of the norm, and there won’t be a need to distinguish between female drivers and male drivers. There will just be professional drivers.
As Membership Manager at Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand, Fiona works for a forum that represents 1,200 individual road freight transport companies, which operate 14,000 heavy trucks across New Zealand. Fiona is passionate about putting the focus back on those behind the wheel in the industry. She works alongside others to improve the wellbeing and workplace culture in the transport sector in New Zealand. Additionally, Fiona is managing the Te ara ki tua Road to success driver traineeship programme which provides a career pathway into the transport industry.
Other heroines of the special episode are Courtney Sertdemir, Talent Acquisition Manager at Australia Post Group Australia, Beth Jones, Transport Manager at T Alun Jones UK and Angie Daugherty, General Manager at United Road Towing US.
