Srishti Gupta
Strategy Lead,
National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), India
Years in the industry: 13
SRISHTI Gupta demonstrated her capability for driving transformation early in her career while at the Mumbai division of Indian Railways (IR). Recognising the inefficiencies and passenger frustration caused by a heavy dependence on manual ticketing systems, she led a major initiative to promote mobile app-based ticketing across Mumbai’s commuter network, which is used by over 4 million passengers a day.
By coordinating closely with technology suppliers, government agencies, and frontline IR staff, she drove a sustained behavioural transformation campaign that increased mobile ticketing uptake from less than 1% to nearly 13% within two years. The initiative significantly improved passenger convenience while reducing pressure on physical ticketing infrastructure.
An emphasis on practical, customer-focused innovation has remained a defining feature of Srishti’s leadership approach. During her time at IR, she consistently worked to improve accessibility, passenger experience, and operational efficiency. Her initiatives included improving station signage and navigation and a mobile app to provide train-running information to passengers, implemented using a revenue-generating model rather than relying solely on public expenditure. Indeed, through several customer-focused initiatives, Srishti has helped the Mumbai division generate the highest amount of non-fare revenue across IR.
Since 2023, Srishti has been part of the strategy leadership team at National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is delivering the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), the new commuter network for Delhi. She supports strategic initiatives on non-fare revenue generation, transit-oriented development, socio-economic impact assessment, and stakeholder engagement.
Her vision is centred on advancing safe, inclusive, and sustainable rail transport in India. Drawing on operational experience and infrastructure strategy, Srishti continues to advocate for technology-enabled and passenger-focused transport systems capable of supporting rapid urban development.
Banita Hyman
Senior Director, Infrastructure and Cloud Services,
Norfolk Southern, United States
Years in the industry: 12
DRIVING digital transformation within one of North America’s largest rail freight networks requires a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and operational vision. That combination has become a defining characteristic of Banita Hyman’s leadership at Norfolk Southern (NS), where she plays a central role in advancing enterprise modernisation initiatives across the US Class 1 freight railway.
In her current role, Banita oversees the architecture, roadmap, and operating model designed to improve agility, resilience, and long-term business value. Her work reflects a deep understanding of how modern infrastructure, automation, and cloud technology can strengthen operational performance while supporting the evolving demands of the rail freight industry.
By aligning technology investment with broader business objectives, she has helped position the company to operate more efficiently in an increasingly digital environment.
Among her most notable achievements was her contribution to establishing the new NS head office in Atlanta, Georgia. She oversaw the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, mobile application development, and intelligent wayfinding systems to create a smarter and more connected workplace, demonstrating her ability to apply innovation in practical and measurable ways.
Indeed, throughout her career, Banita has led multiple award-winning projects focused on smart building innovation, digital workplace transformation, and enterprise technology modernisation.
Her progression from technology specialist to enterprise strategist illustrates both strong technical capability and the leadership skills necessary to guide complex organisational change.
She has also become a respected mentor, actively supporting the development of future technology leaders and advocating for broader female representation within the industry.
Banita remains focused on advancing safer, more efficient, and more connected rail operations through thoughtful technology leadership. Her emphasis on resilient infrastructure, scalable systems, and responsible innovation continues to shape how technology can support the future of rail freight while maintaining the reliability and trust that remain foundational to the rail industry.
Ayfer Uslu
Traffic Operations Manager, Izban, Turkey
Years in the industry: 32
KEEPING hundreds of thousands of passengers moving safely every day across Turkey’s largest commuter network in Izmir demands precision, resilience, and decisive leadership.
All of these qualities are demonstrated in abundance by Ayfer Uslu, whose operational expertise and strategic leadership have played a defining role in the evolution of one of the country’s most critical public transport systems.
Since joining Izban in 2011 as part of the operations department, Ayfer has developed extensive operational knowledge while contributing directly to the safety, reliability, and continuity of the 136km high-capacity network connecting the Aliağa - Selçuk corridor and Adnan Menderes Airport.
Her early years in railway operations provided a comprehensive understanding of the demands associated with managing complex urban transport networks.
This experience, combined with a strong commitment to operational excellence, led to Ayfer’s appointment to her current role in 2015. In this executive position, she oversees the coordination of operations with Turkish State Railways (TCDD), manages timetable optimisation, supervises driver and shift planning, and directs the central control centre responsible for ensuring the continuity of operations.
Ayfer’s leadership capabilities are most visible during disruption and emergencies, when rapid decision-making and calm coordination are essential. By leading from the front and maintaining clear communication channels between operational teams and the infrastructure manager, she has consistently minimised passenger impact while safeguarding operational integrity and public confidence. Her ability to remain composed under pressure has helped establish a culture of resilience and accountability across cross-functional teams.
One of the defining milestones of her career was navigating the liberalisation of Turkey’s railway sector. During this period of structural transformation, Ayfer played a central role in aligning operational frameworks with newly-established national regulations.
Her contributions were instrumental in securing a passenger operator’s licence for Izban and implementing a comprehensive safety management system. She continues to oversee compliance initiatives and regulatory audits, ensuring adherence to the highest international safety standards.
Beyond operational leadership, Ayfer is recognised for promoting collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
She has successfully united control staff, drivers and station personnel around shared operational goals, creating an environment focused on efficiency, vigilance, and proactive risk management.
Ayfer brings a rare 360ᵒ perspective gained through progression from frontline railway operations to executive leadership, enabling her to combine strategic vision with practical, real-world operational insight.
Looking ahead, her vision centres on building safer, smarter, and more sustainable railway networks through the integration of digital technology, predictive analytics and enhanced operational planning. Equally important is her commitment to encouraging greater diversity within the rail sector.
Latasha Garrison
Assistant General Counsel, CSX, United States
Years in the industry: 13
TURNING legal complexity into operational strength has become a defining hallmark of Latasha Garrison’s leadership in the rail industry. Over more than 13 years at CSX, she has consistently demonstrated an ability to align legal strategy with business priorities, helping safeguard operational continuity while strengthening workforce practices and enterprise resilience.
In her current role and as leader of the company’s employment law practice, Latasha has built a reputation for delivering practical, business-focused solutions in highly complex environments. Her leadership of a recent company-wide compliance initiative stands out as a particularly significant achievement. This required deep regulatory expertise, disciplined execution, and extensive cross-functional coordination. By guiding the organisation through critical compliance requirements while minimising disruption to employees and operations, Latasha demonstrated a rare combination of legal precision, operational awareness, and strategic foresight.
Her influence extends well beyond compliance work. Latasha has successfully led major litigation involving complex multi-plaintiff cases and major insurance disputes, helping protect the company’s financial stability and reduce enterprise risk. Colleagues recognise her for bringing sound judgement, calm leadership, and clear direction to sensitive challenges, enabling teams to remain focused on safe and reliable rail operations.
Her participation in the National African American Women’s Leadership Institute further reflects her dedication to advancing leadership pathways for others. Outside the workplace, Latasha has taken on leadership roles with the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council and Jack and Jill of America, where she has championed youth development, service, and community advancement.
Part 1 of Women in Rail Award 2025 can be found here
Part 2 of Women in Rail Award 2025 can be found here
Part 3 of Women in Rail Award 2025 can be found here
