When it comes to traditional diesel-powered locomotives, could the end of the line be in sight? Like all industrial players, rail carriers face pressure to fast-track their greenhouse gas emissions reductions. As the rail industry heads high-speed toward cleaner alternatives, find out how biodiesel and renewable diesel may be the light at the end of the tunnel – and what it means for the clean fuels journey.
Breakfast service will end promptly at 8:15.
Speakers:
TBA
Beth Whited
President
Union Pacific
Beth Whited is a railroad industry leader and the first female president in the history of Union Pacific. Her experience includes leadership roles in disciplines that touch nearly every part of operating the world’s largest freight rail network.
Over the past 35 years, Whited has led multiple functions across Union Pacific, spanning Strategy, Marketing and Sales, Sustainability, Finance, Investor Relations and Workforce Resources. As executive vice president-Sustainability and Strategy, she helped lead the development and implementation of Union Pacific’s strategic vision as it strives to become the nation’s No. 1 supply chain logistics provider while guiding its efforts to reach net zero by 2050.
Whited’s industry-leading efforts have been recognized through a myriad of awards, including the 2021 Railway Woman of the Year by the League of Railway Women and Progressive Railroading, and Constellation Research’s ESG50 List reflecting her commitment to sustainability. Additionally,
Union Pacific was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, underscoring its environmental and sustainability efforts.
Whited graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Iowa. She and her husband Kelvin have three children.
Lisa Colicchio
Sustainability Director
Metrolink
As Sustainability Director for Metrolink, the third largest regional rail service in the nation, Lisa Colicchio is leading the path to a zero emissions future with her development of a progressive 2030 Climate Action Plan focused on advanced technologies of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cells. Building a bridge to zero, she spearheaded the bold move to eliminate all petroleum-based fossil fuels in their locomotive fleet. Metrolink is the first rail agency in the nation to power all trains with 100% recycled natural fats and vegetable oils. By removing 8 million gallons per year from the fossil fuel supply chain, air quality is improved and greenhouse gas emissions reduced by up to 80%, the equivalent of eliminating 13,900 passenger vehicles from the road for a year.
Previously as Vice President and founding member of sustainability at CBRE, Lisa developed climate strategies and CSR programs across global sites, playing a critical role integrating social purpose while aligning business strategy and operations to deliver ESG benefits for all stakeholders. She serves as Vice President of the WSLA Alumnae Board, Chairs the Women in Green committee for USGBC-LA and is also a member of the LA Community Leaders. She has been honored with multiple awards including the Top Women in Sustainability Leadership, and Los Angeles Impact Maker.