SRA's Anne Modderno takes out win at Women in Industry Awards

On Thursday 20 June, Managing Director of Swietelsky Rail Australia (SRA) was awarded Excellence in Transport at the Women in Industry Awards, held at the Doltone House Hyde Park Ballroom.

The Women in Industry Awards recognise how women in Australia are delivering excellence across industry sectors, making active contributions to break down barriers to equity and inclusion, and showing our future generations what is possible.

The award, sponsored by Kenter Logistics was presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond to improve and positively impact the Australian transport industry.

Anne said she was honoured to be nominated alongside other fantastic women in the category and completely shocked to be awarded the win.

“With the amazing women nominated in my category, I had no expectations to win as they’re all breaking down barriers in their own businesses in so many different ways,” Anne said.

“They are all huge inspirations, and I was so proud to be named as a finalist with them in the transport category.”

Anne was nominated alongside Alice Reis from Arup, Jenny Fellows from Fellows Bulk Haulage, Monica Dryden from Mott Macdonald, Orlane Mortimer from Wollongong Crane Trucks and Shani Davies from Metro Trains Melbourne.

In her speech, Anne called out the critical role that award events like this play in the sharing of accomplishments and progress we are making towards increasing female participation across all industries.

“This is why we need awards like this. We need to get comfortable talking about what we achieve because if we can't project it, if we can't show it, then no one else will see it. No one else will want to be it."

“As parents, family members and friends raising the next generation, we can actively share stories and experiences about all the opportunities we know exist now but didn’t know were possible when we were growing up or studying at school. Intentionally not ‘gender badging’ roles, careers or industries in our stories, because there really aren’t any “girls’ jobs” or “boys’ jobs” - there are just jobs."

“The earlier our daughters, nieces and granddaughters hear about what types of jobs and careers are out there for them, the less likely they are to be intimidated by an industry or doubt themselves in any way. Instead, they will be more likely to have the confidence to achieve anything. Future generations will know no limit.”

Anne believes her award win can be attributed to her ongoing commitment to organisational change and development at SRA. She has introduced improvements to the company’s Employee Value Proposition (EVP), led the development of the company’s Sustainability Strategy, and new strategic direction. Anne’s career to date includes over 15 years’ experience in the transport industry across rail and civil construction sectors, having successfully led teams to efficiently manage and deliver large-scale programs of major maintenance and capital projects.

She continues to be an active advocate for inclusivity and diversity within the transport sector. As the first female Managing Director any Swietelsky International subsidiary, Anne wants to pave the way for women in transport, and actively finds ways to increase their participation.

“I am so proud of the strides we’re making towards improving diversity and inclusion within the transport industry, but there’s more work to do,” Anne said.

“I hope this award shows the women in my team, and other women in transport and all other industries, that you can be the change you want to see,” Anne concluded.

The Women in Industry award categories were across a number of fields including transport, engineering and manufacturing to mining, construction and energy. Awards were also presented for safety advocacy, mentoring and business development. 

A full list of winners can be read here.

Image: Anne Modderno with Emily Jackman, sponsor representative at Kenter Internation Logistics