A Leadership Summit for High-Potential Rail Professionals

A Event


Returning to Chicago
Monday, October 6, 2025

Convene, 311 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL

Anticipation is high for our 2nd annual Propel conference—set to deliver another powerful day of insight, connection, and growth for emerging leaders in the rail industry. Designed to equip rising talent with practical tools and fresh perspectives, Propel fosters meaningful relationships and leadership development.

This fall in downtown Chicago, the 2025 Propel Summit will offer even more opportunities to learn, lead, and elevate your impact within the rail industry.

Reserve Your Spot »


Propel Agenda


4:00 PM ‐ 6:00 PM

Icebreaker Reception at The LaSalle Chicago, our event hotel located in The Loop






Meet Your Facilitator

Headshot

Matt Meuleners

Executive Partner and Leadership Trainer

FOCUS Training

With over 24 years of experience as a speaker, trainer, and Talent Development professional, Matt Meuleners is an expert in leadership development who specializes in: program design and delivery, L&D consulting, training audits, and leader coaching.

Matt holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin: Milwaukee and a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin: Madison. He taught Training & Development at Marquette University as an adjunct professor and is a Past President of the SEWI chapter of the Association of Talent Development.

An Executive Partner with FOCUS Training, Matt leads the professional development market team and serves as Lead Instructor for the Accelerate and Elevate Institutes where he trains and coaches managers and high-potential talent from the nations top companies.

Hear From Our Attendees

Top Reasons for Attending Propel 2024:

Connections That Count, Workshops That Deliver



The small size of the event allowed for meaningful networking and great discussions.
- Propel 2024 Attendee


I found the building strong teams and enterprise mindset modules to be extremely helpful and relevant to my work. It has me evaluating my own performance around how I set expectations for my direct reports.
- Tiya Cunningham-Sumter, Acting Director of Learning and Support at Chicago Transit Authority


The presentation and activities on expectations and trust were a great illustration of the importance of both.
- Propel 2024 Attendee



100% of 2024 Attendee Survey Respondents Would Recommend Propel



It is important to hear other perspectives from outside your organization. It helps form expectations and standards for our individual career challenges and progress.
- Gene Barber, Commercial Finance & Marketing Manager at R. J. Corman Railroad Group


I appreciated the training and group sized. The group was also very interesting with a variety of backgrounds.
- Propel 2024 Attendee


They [my colleagues] would benefit from the skill building sessions and insights of other Rail leadership.
- Shequira Hall, Senior Fleet Management Specialist at GATX Corporation




The Journey Continues: Every Attendee Wants More Propel



I really like the way the program was organized. The class participation component was very interactive. I was very engaged.
- Terry Wilkerson, Acting Director of Transit Instruction at Chicago Transit Authority


I believe that connecting with industry peers outside one's own company is crucial for personal and professional growth in the rail industry. Events like this are valuable because they provide a platform for fostering those essential connections. Therefore, I will always make an effort to support an event like this.
- Falyn Coleman-Wright, VP of Business Development- Rail at API (Accommodations Plus International)


I left Propel really motivated and inspired to expand my leadership strengths. There were practical tools I see myself implementing Immediately.
- Tiya Cunningham-Sumter, Acting Director of Learning and Support at Chicago Transit Authority

Who Attended in 2024?

AITX Logo
CTA Logo
GATX Logo
Metra Logo
MSU Logo
Norfolk Southern Logo
NYCT Logo
RJ Corman Logo
Union Pacific Logo

2025 Sponsors



2024 Supporting Sponsor

Contact Us

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10001 W. Innovation Dr. , Suite 101
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(414)-228-7701
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