In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF) recognizes the growing number of women who support the trucking industry and work to move America forward.
Mary Beth Halprin, vice president of public relations and corporate affairs for Volvo Group North America, joined the company in 2019. However, its roots in the transport industry – as well as in marketing and communication – go back more than two decades.
Halprin grew up in Michigan and grew up in the heart of the automotive industry. Her father was a car designer at Ford Motor Co., and his career inspired three of his daughters, including Halprin, to join the transportation industry.
“I was born into the industry. I got my passion and foundation from growing up with so many people who have worked in different areas of the business, ”Halprin shared, adding that she was also inspired by her sisters. One sister was an electrical engineer and a regional sales representative for Ford dealers. At the time, both were among the few women in their professional fields.
Mary Beth is passionate about working in the trucking industry.
“It’s something I really enjoy,” she said. “I am humble about the importance of trucking and transportation to the US economy. The industry itself is really a global village. “
Halprin said she took pride in the philanthropic reach of the trucking industry, highlighting the role many companies, including the Volvo Group, played in helping those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the industry’s recent relief efforts to help Texans to aid recovery from severe weather.
“For me (my job is) to perform on so many levels because I can see how the industry is affecting people’s lives,” she said.
In addition, Halprin said she enjoys being part of the innovations in the trucking industry, adding that “all kinds of talent, skills and experience are required”.
“This is one of the best times to be part of the trucking industry,” she said. “We are promoting a lot of new technologies. We are redesigning how the traffic of the future will look like, how it will be supplied with electricity and how we will improve our environment. That is exciting!”
One of the items on Halprin’s bucket list is getting your commercial driver’s license and being able to drive a truck on the open road.
