The Women In Trucking Association today announced the three finalists for the 2026 Influential Woman in Trucking award, sponsored by TrueBlue's Centerline Drivers.
Established in 2010, the award honors outstanding female leaders who are shaping the future of trucking and inspiring others through innovation, leadership, and a commitment to advancing women in the industry.
The 2026 Influential Woman in Trucking award finalists are:
- Angela Lentz, Chief People Officer, Daimler Truck North America
- Mari Roberts, Senior Vice President, North America Supply Chain Centers of Excellence, PepsiCo
- Sauny Tucker, CEO, Tucker Freight Lines
The finalists will participate in a panel discussion at the WIT Accelerate! Conference & Expo taking place Oct. 25-28 in Dallas, followed by the winner announcement.
Angela Lentz serves as chief people officer for Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), where she leads the people and culture strategy behind one of the region's largest commercial vehicle manufacturers. She serves on the DTNA Operating Committee, the company’s senior leadership body for North America, and on Daimler Truck’s global Human Resources Operating Committee. Through these roles, she brings a people-focused perspective to business decisions and organizational transformation at both the regional and global levels.
That perspective is grounded in nearly three decades of experience across the business. Before leading DTNA’s people organization, Lentz held roles in purchasing, materials, quality, and finance and has worked in both corporate offices and the Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant.
Mari Roberts, CTP, serves as senior vice president of the North America Supply Chain Centers of Excellence for PepsiCo Beverage US and PepsiCo Foods US. In this role, she and her team are responsible for delivering operational excellence across manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, fleet, and integrated business solutions.
Roberts has held numerous field operations and corporate positions in transportation and supply chain in her 26-year career with Frito-Lay. She graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Supply Chain Management.
Roberts received her Certified Transportation Professional (CTP) certification in 2009 and served as chairman of the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) Institute Board of Governors from 2014-2022 and is currently chair of the NPTC Board of Directors.
Sauny Tucker serves as CEO for Tucker Freight Lines in Dubuque, Iowa, though her connection to trucking began long before she carried the title of CEO. As the daughter and granddaughter of professional drivers, she grew up understanding that behind every truck is a person and a family. In 2001, she entered the industry alongside her husband, AJ Tucker, beginning a journey that would eventually lead them to acquire Art Pape Transfer in 2018 and build what is now Tucker Freight Lines.
Today, Tucker leads the safety, human resources, recruiting, and marketing efforts, while helping guide the company's continued growth and expansion.
WIT has recognized Sauny as a Top Woman to Watch in Transportation, while Tucker Freight Lines has been recognized as a Top Woman-Owned Business in Transportation and a Top Company for Women to Work in Transportation. Under her leadership, Tucker also earned 2026 TCA Elite Fleet certification. Beyond the company, Sauny has remained committed to the Dubuque community, including Tucker’s longstanding support of Opening Doors, which provides housing and resources for women and children working toward stability and independence.
