GF Blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Highlighting Women in the Fleet Industry

This International Women's Day Government Fleet is highlighting stories about the achievements and contributions of women in their various fleet roles.

March 8, 2024
Highlighting Women in the Fleet Industry

From technicians and mentors to fleet managers and industry leaders, women in fleet are doing it all. 

Photo: Government Fleet

2 min to read


From technicians to fleet managers to engineers and more, women continue to make an impact on the fleet industry. Within the public sector, women have been breaking the mold and taking the lead within their workforce to bring fleets into the future. 

This International Women's Day Government Fleet is highlighting articles that tell the stories of women in the fleet industry who are making a difference within their organization. Despite the challenges many have faced, these women have not only persevered but continued to make progress. Here are several stories of those female leaders in fleet. 

Ad Loading...

Women in Public Fleet Management: The State of the Industry

Women in public fleet management face unique challenges — whether that’s establishing respect with vendors, getting buy-in with technical staff, or often being the only woman in the room. During GFX, four women in fleet discussed these topics.

PepsiCo Nor Cal POD Fleet Manager Makela Owens, Agile Fleet Senior Client Success Manager Kathy Wellik, CAFM, Sara Burnam, MSL, CAFM, fleet management director for Palm Beach County, and Alison Kerstetter, the Fleet Manager for the city of Sacramento. 

Photo: Ross Stewart Photography 

Empowering Women in Fleet with Diesel Mechanic Missy Albin

Missy “Diesel Girl” Albin discusses her unique path to becoming a diesel tech and shares her thoughts on the industry, how the industry is changing, and what fleets can do to be more inclusive for new workers.

Driving Change: Women Leading the Way in Fleet Management Careers

Ad Loading...

Dive into the experiences of two women in fleet management. From handling solid waste collections to tackling industry challenges, these trailblazers share their insights from the heart of Texas.

Solid Waste Department Deputy Director Josephine Valencia with a San Antonio refuse truck. 

Photo: City of San Antonio

The Cultural Crossroads of Women in the Government Fleet Workforce

As public fleets look to target and recruit female drivers, they have an opportunity to change the narrative around who is fit for what job by understanding the barriers that create the imbalances in the first place.

Highlighting NYC DCAS' New Dep. Chief Fleet Management Officer

Tamika Johnson manages Fleet Acquisitions and Administration for the City fleet and oversees the division’s hiring and human capital efforts.

Ad Loading...

‘Stay Informed’ Fleet Manager Makela Owens on Building Connections, Industry Transitions

Fleet manager Makela Owens discusses the changes and challenges of the fleet industry as well as the motivation for being the fleet industry. Owens is now the Nor Cal POD fleet manager for PepsiCo.

Heavy Equipment Superintendent Naomi Puente Good Shield gets into a heavy-duty truck. 

Photo: City of San Antonio

Managing Recruitment & Maintenance as a New Fleet Manager

Alison Kerstetter, fleet manager of the Sacramento, California, Department of Public Works, shares the latest updates on her fleet and how she started her career in fleet.

Sara Burnam, fleet management director for Palm Beach County, Florida, was named the 2023 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year. 

Photo: Palm Beach County

Lessons Learned from 2023 Award Winner, Sara Burnam

Ad Loading...

Burnam, who was named the 2023 Fleet Manager of the Year, discusses her journey to the public sector, challenges in the industry, and plans for the fleet's future.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Operations

A collage of fleet images from Dakota county.
Operationsby Nichole OsinskiJuly 27, 2026

How Dakota County Built a More Structured Fleet Operation

Kevin Schlangen shares how Dakota County’s fleet moved from reactive repairs and limited oversight to a more structured approach built around planning, training, and long-term cost control.

Read More →
A cheat sheet thumbnail with images of a checklist and truck in flood.
OperationsJuly 25, 2026

Is Your Fleet Ready Before the Storm Hits? | GovCast Cheat Sheet

Could better preparation before a storm and new vehicle technology help fleets recover faster while improving safety?

Read More →
NYPD city vehicle
Operationsby Staff WriterJuly 24, 2026

New York City Orders Safety Technology for Municipal Fleet

New York City is expanding the use of pedestrian alerts and intelligent speed assistance across its non-emergency fleet. The executive order establishes new technology requirements for future vehicle purchases while accelerating retrofits on thousands of existing municipal trucks.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
GovCast podcast graphic.
OperationsJuly 21, 2026

The Network Behind Better Government Fleet Decisions

A discussion on why relationships across the government fleet community have played such an important role and what shapes the leadership response.

Read More →
A graphic showing a mechanic and car engine.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseJuly 21, 2026

Ford, BlackRock, Google and Carhartt Form Skilled Trades Workforce Alliance

The alliance plans to develop a stronger pipeline between training programs and available jobs while examining workforce efforts already underway across the country.

Read More →
A GovCast Fro the Show Floor graphic with david renschler.
OperationsJuly 20, 2026

The Network Behind Better Government Fleet Decisions

A discussion on why relationships across the government fleet community have played such an important role and what shapes the leadership response.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A cheat sheet thumbnail with images of a checklist and mechanic.
OperationsJuly 20, 2026

What Makes Fleet Technicians Stay? | GovCast Cheat Sheet

The technician hiring and retention discussion is not new, but the way fleets respond to it continues to matter.

Read More →
Cover of the "Top 50 Green Fleets" report presented by Automotive Fleet and Inspiration Fleet, featuring an aerial nighttime photo of a lit highway interchange with looping ramps.
SponsoredJuly 16, 2026

The Top 50 Green Fleets

The List Is in: The Top 50 Green Fleets

Read More →
A GovCast podcast thumbnail.
Operationsby Nichole OsinskiJuly 16, 2026

On the Road with Government Fleet: Essential Podcasts for Professionals

Let's celebrate listening! Check out a GovCast podcast and discover the insights and strategies that can transform your fleet management approach.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Operationsby Nichole OsinskiJuly 13, 2026

How Real-World Vehicle Use Guides Replacement And Budgets

Three public fleet leaders explain how they use real-world vehicle data and long-term planning to keep aging assets in service and make more informed replacement and budgeting decisions in a high-cost environment.

Read More →