Surrey rail champion Lisa Tuningley has won the 2013 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award, in the Deloitte Start-Up category, after building her rail products company into a formidable industry player.
Tuningley started T-Rail Products Inc. in 2010, growing it to more than 12 employees and revenues of approximately $16 million.
T-Rail provides value-added logistic supply chain solutions to rail clients that serve the Class I railroads.
Tuningley said being recognized "validates" her work, and confirmed that her passion for rail is real and worth pursuing.
She now wants to help influence other women in the "traditional and male-dominated" industry. "When we have more women building businesses, we set the stage for innovation to happen," she said.
Approximately 3,000 women were nominated for the awards. The six category winners were recognized for their contributions to the local, Canadian, and global economies, and were feted at a gala event in Toronto Nov. 27.
Carolyn Lawrence, president and CEO of Women of Influence Inc. described the winners as "incredible role models for future generations."
Dr. Kellie Leitch, the federal minister of labour and status of women, congratulated the winners. "Our government remains committed to increasing economic prosperity and supporting leadership opportunities for women," she said.
