About Ida Posner

Ida Posner leads strategic planning for RDC, a family-owned global railway investment and management company, rooted in bold, ambitious partnerships. For over three decades, RDC has invested in and operated railway systems across emerging markets in North America, Latin America, Europe and Africa. Ida serves as a board member of the Iowa Interstate Railroad, RDC-Deutschland, Eurorail, and RailPulse. Ida is also the Founder and Managing Partner of Hawthorne Food Ventures, a venture capital fund that invests in startups reducing food waste. She serves on the Board of ReFED, a U.S. nonprofit dedicated to ending food waste and as a Strategic Advisor to the Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh. Ida holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a B.S.E. from Princeton University in Civil & Environmental Engineering.

About RDC

The Railroad Development Corporation (RDC), founded in 1987 and based in Pittsburgh, specializes in railway investment, management, and innovation worldwide, particularly in emerging markets. RDC has been involved in projects across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Africa, including the Iowa Interstate Railroad and ventures in Guatemala, Peru, and Estonia. Beyond traditional rail operations, RDC actively invests in software and innovative technologies to modernize railway systems and improve efficiency. In Germany, its subsidiary RDC Deutschland operates passenger and freight services, further diversifying its global portfolio and emphasizing sustainable, forward-thinking solutions in the rail sector.

www.rrdc.com

My Key Takeaways

• Rail Investments: Profitable opportunities span infrastructure, rail operations, suppliers, and rail tech globally.
• Pop-Up Metro: A battery-powered, flexible solution for passenger rail using existing infrastructure shows an innovative approach
• Customer Accessibility: Rail must improve platforms and reliability to match road freight's convenience.
• Lessons Learned: Early market challenges emphasize aligning new tech with practical feasibility and timing.
• Female Leadership: Mentorship and sponsorship are key to boosting diversity in rail.
• Data Sharing: Trust and shared goals drive breakthroughs in the rail ecosystem.
• Regional Challenges: U.S. rail thrives on private infrastructure; Europe grapples with regulatory hurdles.
• Vision for 2050: Advanced tech, optimized infrastructure, and a diverse workforce will fuel growth.
• Climate Action: Freight-to-rail shifts and waste reduction are vital for a greener future.

Sebastian Sperker

sebastian@railup.club

www.railup.club