Ms. Stewart has over 25 years of railroad experience. Her railroad career began as a manager in the Locomotive Engineering department at CSX Transportation in Jacksonville, FL. She currently
serves as Senior Program Manager/Mechanical Engineer at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) where she was hired as the first African American female engineer. Ms. Stewart works in
FRA’s Office of Research, Development & Technology overseeing projects related to Rolling Stock Equipment and Components such as brakes, wheels, roller bearings and equipment health
monitoring. Ms. Stewart prides herself in ‘making sure all voices are represented at the table’, which is evident in her research efforts including her Very Long Trains Study and Wheel Research
program. Ms. Stewart is working closely with industry stakeholders conducting simulations and tests to ensure Very Long Trains are operating safely through better understanding of air brake
performance. Her Wheel Research Program includes a partnership with industry contributing towards a better understanding of wheel failures, mitigation, reduced derailments and risks
associated with wheel failures. Ms. Stewart also serves as the Program Lead for the Workforce Development Program addressing railroad industry workforce challenges and helping to sustain and promote a diverse and equitable railroad workforce. Ms. Stewart is proud of her role in executing FRA’s mission through research and development of innovative and technological solutions to ensure America’s railroads are operating safely through ALL communities. She manages an
expansive project portfolio of over 26 research projects with a budget that once totaled almost $90 Million and included oversight and management of FRA’s Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, CO. Ms. Stewart has authored and co-authored over 60 technical publications and
papers. She has traveled the world exchanging and sharing her research on both national and international platforms and conferences throughout the United States, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Italy, Portugal, Australia, Japan, and Spain.
You can often find Ms. Stewart sharing her passion for Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) and her railroad career experience with students; encouraging them to consider STEM
related studies or railroading as a career of choice. Ms. Stewart earned her degrees under a Dual Degree Program. She has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech, and is also an HBCU graduate of North Carolina Central University where she earned her Mathematics degree.