Women remain underrepresented in physical operations, making up a disproportionately small share of the workforce. In transportation, for example, only 13% of drivers are female. Even in the public sector, where women account for 56% of employees, leadership representation drops to just 20%. 

Despite this, the landscape of physical operations is changing—that’s why we recently brought together four trailblazing women across different industries for a powerful discussion on leadership, career growth, and the safety innovations shaping their fields. From career-defining moments to leveraging technology for lasting impact, they shared insights on building safer, more inclusive workplaces.

Empowering organizations to protect their people and communities 

From reducing accidents to uncovering risks, safety isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s an ongoing commitment. Here’s what these leaders had to say:

• "Safety is a continuous journey for any organization. Implementing a program is just the beginning—sustaining long-term improvement is where the real work begins. I encourage my team to celebrate small wins every day. It’s easy to focus on the gaps instead of the progress, but recognizing those small achievements keeps us motivated and moving forward." Cathy Kawachi, Head of Safety, U.S. DHL Express

• “Protecting the public, our cities, and our families on the roadway is the real win. Samsara provides the facts we need and ensures safety on every journey.” Tracy Rushing, Executive Director of Safety and Recruiting, R.E. Garrison Trucking

• "Before I joined Goettl, there were over 140 accidents the previous year. After implementing key safety measures and working with Samsara, we're down to 38 this year. Through a lot of hard work, we're continuing to trend in the right direction." Janette Purdy, Director of Safety and Associate Development, Goettl Home Services

• "Samsara plays a crucial role in keeping our people and the communities we serve safe. It has been instrumental in reducing collisions and ensuring drivers receive evidence-based coaching. Digitalization is a global priority and Samsara not only aligns with our broader goals but also helps us achieve tangible results—reducing incidents, improving safety, and gaining real-time visibility." Cathy Kawachi, Head of Safety, U.S. DHL Express

• "The impact goes beyond just numbers—it’s about people. Fewer drivers are getting injured, and, in turn, we’ve seen significant reductions in claims, accident-related costs, vehicle repairs, and litigation. Samsara is my right hand when it comes to fleet safety." Janette Purdy, Director of Safety and Associate Development, Goettl Home Services

• “Once we implemented Samsara, our partners quickly realized its impact. We uncovered critical safety concerns, like drivers not wearing seatbelts or getting distracted by their phones. At the same time, the system helps exonerate innocent drivers. Samsara provides the City of New Orleans with the security to protect both our people and our investment in our fleet. It’s a win-win.” Shelita White-Stewart, Operations Chief of Staff, City of New Orleans

4 tips for leading with a people-first approach 

Improving safety within your organization—and in the communities you serve—is a major achievement. But at the end of the day, it’s the drivers, workers, and frontline employees who make those safety improvements a reality. A leader’s role isn’t just to implement change but to inspire and empower your workforce to embrace it by managing with a human-centric mindset. Here are four key strategies shared by our leaders that can help you lead with a people-first approach:

• Prioritize open communication: “Listen to learn. True communication means hearing what our staff has to say. We support the whole person—empowering, educating, and always putting people first,” said Stewart-White.

• Solutions are at the front line: “Listen to the front line. They understand the challenges, the concerns, and—most importantly—the solutions. The people doing the work know the best way to get it done,” said Kawachi. 

• Align corporate goals to your team: “Take care of your people and they’ll take care of the profit. When something matters to your team, it should matter to you—those who identify problems can often offer the best solutions,” said Rushing.

• Lead with confidence and compassion: “Believe in yourself as a leader, but also believe in those around you—true leadership is about developing the next generation. Have confidence, support others who are on a similar journey, and actively work on strengthening your team,” said Purdy.

By putting people first, you create an environment where safety isn’t just a policy—it’s a shared responsibility and a core part of your organization’s culture.