Emilia Marceta has been making her mark at Metrolinx since she started as a co-op student in 2007.

Her leadership and management of Metrolinx’s first-ever multi-year, multi-million-dollar track protection contract helped build the Union Pearson Express and GO Georgetown South projects. Her impact continued with cartographic contributions, including the Union Station way-finding map and track ownership and mileages map.

Her influence didn’t stop at Metrolinx, either. In September 2018, Marceta was named the League of Railway Women (LRW) ‘Outstanding Member of the Year’.

“Emilia and her public relations committee have brought new energy to our communications by enhancing our role on social email and the quarterly newsletter,” said Tanis Peterson, president of the LRW. “Emilia is a leader, innovator and always is willing to go the extra mile. We are a better organization because of her and we are proud to have her on our board to help us connect and cultivate women in rail.”

It’s a huge honour for Marceta, who started in a communications role, but in 2009, an opportunity to work with the then Capital Infrastructure group as part of the environmental assessment team presented itself, so she made a change to focus her career on the rail industry.

“I had the opportunity to work on many expansion projects that have since come into service,” Marceta said.

“Daryl Barnett and Terry O’Shell were both very supportive of me and instrumental in steering me towards working in the rail industry,” Marceta said.

“And I found the League of Railway Women, whose goal is to improve the railroad industry by connecting and cultivating women in rail. It appealed to me because it gave me a community of women who were just like me.”

Joining the league in 2015, Marceta was inspired to get further involved after seeing Metrolinx’s Mary Proc receive the 2015 ‘Outstanding Woman of the Year’ award.

“Witnessing Mary receive this award inspired me to get further involved within the LRW by running for the position of Public Relations & Outreach Chair,” Marceta said.

In 2016, she was formally appointed to the role, chairing a committee of eight women from across North America.

In her role, Marceta focuses on the ‘Women on Track’ newsletter, assisting with the planning and organizing of networking events, the annual conference and supporting other committees within the league. She recently led the project team that helped launch their new member-focused website.

“Our hope is that this new website will become the heart of our member-communications and help us continue connecting and cultivating women in rail,” said Marceta.

The Outstanding Member of the Year award Marceta won is a peer-nominated leadership award recognizing a dedication to leadership and support for the personal and professional growth of women in the rail industry, a commitment to the organization and a passion for the railway industry.

About the League of Railway Women

Founded in 1997, the League of Railway Women (LRW) is committed to improving the railroad industry by connecting and cultivating women in rail. Our mission is to advance the representation, recognition and opportunities for women, thereby promoting diversity and improving the business results of the railroad industry. Learn more at www.railwaywomen.org.