Women in rail award 2025: winners announced

The 2025 edition of the women in rail award was held yesterday in Kraków, Poland, as part of the European rail safety days. Organised by the European Commission, the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), CER, UNIFE, EIM, and the Federation of European Train Drivers' Union ALE, the ceremony honoured outstanding individuals and organisations driving progress in gender equality, technical innovation, and educational empowerment across the railway sector.

The 2025 edition featured four categories, each reflecting a strategic priority for a more inclusive and sustainable rail industry. This year, the scope has been expanded to include a new category: the next generation rail award, reflecting a growing commitment to nurturing talent from early education through to professional careers, ensuring that girls and young women are empowered to thrive in this sector.

After evaluating all the applications from across the European Union and associated countries, the jury announced the following winners:

• Federica Santini from Trenitalia in the leadership and mentoring category for her exemplary role in creating tangible opportunities for women in rail;
• Jeanne-Marie Dalbavie from IKOS Lab consulting in the research and innovation category for her significant contribution advancing railway engineering and innovation;
• Diana Binnenpoorte from ProRail in the women empowerment category for their commitment to fostering a workplace where women can thrive and advance;
• Kerstin Wagner and Franciska Manck from DB, Ciaran Masterson from Irish Rail, and Angeles Tauler Alcaraz from Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles in the next generation in rail category for their educational initiatives that inspire girls and young women (ages 6–25) to explore careers in rail.

Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, stated: "Promoting greater participation of women in the rail sector benefits the entire industry and its passengers. This award reminds us that railways must be open and fair to everyone, in how we design trains, build them, and run them. When more women join and take part, rail becomes stronger, more modern, and better at serving society."

More information

Women in rail award 2025