Please describe your past journey at the beginning of your career.
During my high school years, I gravitated towards traditionally male-dominated classes, including woodworking, welding, drafting, and auto mechanics. Shop class, in particular, became a passion, with my instructor even praising me as the best welder he had ever taught. This interest led me to a drafting position at a steel fabricating plant in central Wisconsin, where I designed material handling equipment such as steel pallets, bins, and racking.
An opportunity arose to transition into the traffic department, and the company sponsored my enrollment in a “Traffic and Transportation Management” course. After successful completion, I found myself promoted to the role of Traffic Manager when my boss left the company.
In 2000, I took on the position of Executive Director at Trucker Buddy International (www.truckerbuddy.org), leading the program for six years. Subsequently, Schneider National recruited me to oversee their retention efforts. My focus was on implementing corporate initiatives to attract and retain non-traditional groups, with a specific emphasis on women.
Around the same time, as I pursued my pilot’s license and joined an organization for female pilots, I realized the absence of a similar group for women in the trucking industry. Motivated by this observation, I took the initiative to establish one. In 2007, the Women In Trucking Association was founded, drawing inspiration from the female pilot’s organization and gaining support from like-minded individuals who shared the mission.
What principles and aspirations serve as your guiding compass in both personal and professional life?
I have consistently adhered to my core values, which revolve around honesty, truthfulness, and treating individuals with respect. I acknowledge that people hold diverse opinions, and there’s potential for learning from those differences. The most impactful advice I’ve received is to “Assume good intent.” This principle encourages us to interpret every action not as a reflection on ourselves but to consider that we might be misreading the underlying message.
Share insights into your most significant strength and what sets you apart from your peers in the field.
My key attribute lies in my visionary mindset and entrepreneurial spirit. I have demonstrated the ability to initiate and expand a non-profit association, a feat that is not commonly achieved. The concept of the Women In Trucking Association was only conceived fifteen years ago, and as of 2022, we have garnered the support of over 6,000 corporate and individual members who are actively contributing to our mission.
Whom do you consider the most inspiring figure in your life?
Similar to numerous women, my primary source of inspiration has been my mother. Her belief in my capabilities, affirming that I could achieve anything I set my mind to, left a profound impact on me. However, at the age of 19, she was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and unfortunately passed away a few months later. Even though she isn’t physically present, she remains a guiding force in my thoughts, offering support and encouragement from within my mind.
Highlight some of the noteworthy accolades and certifications received by your organisation and you.
The following awards are described from our website, but the most notable was the recognition from the White House in 2012 as being a “Transportation Innovator Champion of Change.”
- In 2021, she was appointed to a two-year term on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, was recognized as “Empowering Women into Most Powerful Positions”, profiled as ‘A True Inspiration for Emerging Woman Entrepreneurs’and ‘Inspiring Women Leaders Making a Difference’. Honoured as 2021 Elite Women in Business list, and named Most Diligent Businesswomen to watch in 2021.
- In 2020, she was named as one of, “The 10 Most Trailblazing Business Leaders to Watch in 2020,” one of the “Top five coolest women making waves in the supply chain sector” by Supply Chain Digital, 2020’s Most Influential Women to Watch, one of the Ten Inspiring CEOs to watch out for in 2020, “10 Most Innovative CEOs Revamping the Future”, and honored as Gender Diversity Director of the Year and Most Influential Woman in Road Transport. Additionally, Voie was featured in North America Outlook magazine and the first inductee into the Howes Hall of Fame.
- In 2019, Voie was named the Cinderella to CEO of the Year to recognize women who have overcome obstacles to change businesses, communities and industries for the better; awarded as “One of the Ten Most Successful Business Women Leaders”; “Women Leaders Making a Difference”; also, her blog “Ellen’s Blog” was named Fronetics’ Top Three Logistics and Supply Chain Blogs.
- In 2018, Voie was as one of the “Top 10 Shepreneurs through the Glass Ceiling and Beyond,” “2018 Flying High Women Leaders,” as well as was named the National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) “Transportation Person of the Year.”
- In 2017, Voie was named as “The 50 Most Empowering Women in Business” and “The 30 Most Innovative CEOs To Watch.”
- In May 2016, she was chosen as one of Fleet Owner’s Dozen Outstanding Women In Trucking. She also was named one of Supply & Demand Chain Executives magazine’s “2016 Pros to Know,” which honors select supply chain executives who are leading initiatives to help their clients, companies, or the supply chain community at large to prepare for the significant challenges in the year ahead.
- She received the 2015 “Distinguished Alumna of the Year” award from her alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Division of Communication.
- In 2014, she was awarded the Frank W. Babbitt award from the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association. This annual recognition is given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to the trucking industry and association as a whole. Voie is also the recipient of the Skinner Humanitarian award, presented annually to a trucking advocate in her state.
- In July 2012, she was honoured by the white house as a Transportation Innovators Champion of Change.
As a woman, what were the most challenging hurdles you encountered throughout your career?
Being a woman in a predominantly male-dominated setting, we serve as representatives for other women due to our minority status. I had to demonstrate my capabilities and showcase that I could compete on an equal footing with my male counterparts. While it’s indeed a process of proving oneself, in reality, it’s not as challenging as it may initially seem.
In a society predominantly shaped by male influence, what is the essential quality that every woman should have?
It’s crucial to have confidence in our capabilities and to believe that our actions are just. Moreover, self-assurance and resilience are essential qualities to uphold.
