The ATA and Daimler Truck Australia Pacific are proud to announce the participants in the 2025 Daimler Truck Future Leaders' Forum.
The Future Leaders' Forum is an award-winning leadership program that gives young leaders in the trucking industry the tools and training they need to become strong, effective industry advocates.
The 2025 Future Leaders were selected by the ATA's member associations and Daimler Truck Australia Pacific.
"Our 2025 Future Leaders have a wide range of backgrounds, from drivers and mechanics to managers," ATA Chair Mark Parry said.
"Regardless of where they started, they will finish the program with the knowledge and skills they need to shape the industry's future, including social media, advocacy and modern leadership," he said.
Daimler Truck Australia Pacific President and CEO Daniel Whitehead welcomed the 2025 leaders and said he was looking forward to seeing the results of their projects.
"Our Future Leaders' Forum is a career defining opportunity for the next generation of leaders, who I know will make sure the trucking industry remains strong," Mr Whitehead said.
"I can't wait to see the results of the projects that our 2025 leaders will undertake and then present in Adelaide," he said.
The 2025 program will see participants meet in Canberra for two days of intensive workshops, followed by small group work to develop three industry advocacy projects. The Future Leaders will present the results of their work at Trucking Australia 2025 in late April.
In 2024, the Daimler Truck Future Leaders' Forum won the LearnX Platinum Award for Best Learning and Talent Development in the industry specific leadership development category.
THE 2025 DAIMLER TRUCK FUTURE LEADERS ARE:
Jo Tomaszewski (Road Freight NSW)
Jo Tomaszewski is an operations manager with one of Freighter Group's trailer service and repair workshops. With 12 years of industry experience, Jo has a deep knowledge of heavy vehicle safety and maintenance compliance.
Thomas Morton (Victorian Transport Association)
The NSW/ACT Contract Manager Liquids & Goulburn with Ron Finemore Transport, Thomas Morton is passionate about best practice safety initiatives and creating pathways to bring new people into the transport and logistics industry.
Drew Hipwood (Queensland Trucking Association)
Drew Hipwood is the Manager - Corporate Affairs for IOR. IOR is a 100 per cent Australian owned and operated independent energy supplier serving regional Australia and the trucking industry. With 15 years of marketing and communications experience, Drew has a reputation for working collaboratively across industries and business functions.
James Upton (Tasmanian Transport Association)
James Upton is the Transport Manager with Team Global Express at Brighton in southern Tasmania. He was the recipient of the 2024 TTA/Gallagher Insurance Tasmanian Transport Young Achiever Award, recognising his leadership, attention to detail and exceptional people skills.
Sam Jago (Northern Territory Road Transport Association)
Sam Jago started his career with Remote Industries in Tennant Creek doing labouring before completing an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic. Sam went on to obtain an MC licence and has undertaken a variety of transport operations for the company. He has progressed from driving road trains to operations manager and is keen to continue his professional development.
Jonathon Sassella (NatRoad)
Jonathon Sassella started work at Border Crane Consultants as an apprentice mechanical fitter in 2011, and since then has completed a Diploma of Engineering and held roles in maintenance, technical and training. He recently transitioned into the operations manager role, where he mentors new employees, conducts workshops and creates training programs.
Harrison Gill (Australian Furniture Removers' Association)
Harrison Gill from Ready Movers has worked in transport and logistics for more than ten years across multiple businesses, roles and transport modes - including QantasLink, Veolia and Ron Finemore Transport. Harrison is looking forward to engaging with industry leaders and the other nominees to drive real change to the challenges facing the industry.
Sarah Woodruff (Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters' Association)
Sarah Woodruff is a livestock truck driver with JR Ag Transport in southern Tasmania. She drives a heavy combination transporting sheep and cattle.
Sarah has been the secretary of the Livestock Transporters' Association of Tasmania (LTAT) since 2020 and was a member of the committee for the October 2024 LTAT conference. She has a strong interest in contributing more to the association.
Ainsleigh Thomas (Transport Women Australia Ltd)
Ainsleigh Thomas is the NSW/ACT Linehaul Manager with StarTrack and a director of Transport Women Australia Ltd, after starting her decade long career in the industry as a postal delivery officer in Inverell.
Ainsleigh now holds a business degree and an MBA, and is keen to strengthen her leadership skills and collaborate to shape the future of the industry.
Monique Robertson (Daimler Truck Australia Pacific)
Monique Robertson, the Fuso Marketing Manager at Daimler Truck Australia Pacific, has more than ten years of experience in the truck and automotive industry.
Monique has a degree in marketing and is excited to participate in the program to gain further exposure to leadership theories and practical skills that are specific to the transport industry.
