The winners of the Women in Rail Awards 2026 were announced on 22 September at InnoTrans in Berlin, recognizing individuals and organisations contributing to a more inclusive, innovative and attractive railway sector.
The 2026 Women in Rail Award winners are:
- Women Empowerment and Leadership Award: Captrain
- R&I in Railway Award: Cecilia Vale, Universidade do Porto .
- Next Generation in Rail Award: Suzanne Flynn, Irish Rail .
- Women in Rail Operations Award: Réka Németh, MAV.
The awards were presented during the Women in Mobility Luncheon, organised in cooperation with the Women in Mobility German Chapter.
Speaking at the event, Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, highlighted the importance of ensuring that rail benefits from the full range of available talent and perspectives. “Rail needs the skills, ideas and experience of everyone. A more diverse workforce is essential to making the sector more innovative, competitive and prepared for the future.”
The winners were recognised for their contribution to promoting gender equality, supporting the next generation of rail professionals, advancing research and innovation, and demonstrating excellence in railway operations.
The Women in Rail Awards are a joint initiative of the European Commission’s Women in Transport Platform, Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), the European Rail Supply Industry Association (UNIFE), the European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) and Federation of European Train Drivers´ Unions (ALE), recognising inspiring examples of individuals and organisations helping to make rail a more inclusive and attractive sector. Since their launch in 2022, the awards have showcased the contribution of women across all areas of the railway sector.
More information: Women in Rail Awards 2026