Staying on Track

Katie Farmer ’92 (MBA ’96) is president and CEO of BNSF Railway, one of North America’s largest freight rail networks. In 2021, she became the first woman to lead a Class I railroad, guiding 37,000 employees who keep goods moving across a 32,500-mile system. A proud Horned Frog, Farmer is also a TCU Trustee and parent of two alumni.

Her TCU journey began when she arrived from Chicago as a first-year student who didn’t know a soul in Fort Worth. She found connection through her professors, the Neeley School of Business and her sorority — friendships that continue to anchor her life. That sense of belonging inspired her children to choose TCU for themselves.

Farmer remains committed to her alma mater, supporting fellow Frogs through the Career Center and the BNSF Neeley Leadership Program. She often returns to campus to speak with students about leadership, blending real-world lessons from her 30-plus years at BNSF with TCU’s emphasis on values and community.

She believes leadership is not only about what you accomplish but how you achieve it — by listening, empowering teams and embracing change. “To those who much is given, much is expected,” she said. “I take joy in paying it forward.” 

Farmer shared some of her leadership wisdom with TCU Magazine. 

What was it like arriving at TCU as a student? 

I came from the North Shore of Chicago and didn’t know a soul in Fort Worth. But the moment I stepped on campus, I felt that TCU connection. I found it in my professors, my sorority and my business school peers. Those people became lifelong friends — we’ve walked through weddings and babies together. Years later, when my kids were making college choices, we never pushed them toward TCU. But my son said, “We just want what you and Dad have.” That was powerful because it showed that sense of community carried on to the next generation. 

You stay closely involved with TCU. Why? 

TCU shaped my life, so it’s my responsibility to give back. At BNSF, we support the Neeley Leadership Program and the Career Center. Once a year, I return to the classroom to talk with students. It’s a joy. I get to share what leadership looks like in the real world, and I always learn from them, too. 

You’ve been at BNSF for more than three decades. How did those experiences shape your leadership? 

I started as a corporate management trainee and worked in engineering, operations and marketing. Those roles taught me empathy. I’ve seen firsthand what our employees do every day. Today I’m fortunate to lead 37,000 men and women who are proud of the difference they make, both in communities and in the global supply chain.

What leadership lesson do you swear by?

Listen more, talk less. At BNSF, our leadership model starts with communication, and the first rule of communication is listening. The people closest to the work know what needs to be done. My job is to empower them and make sure they have the tools to succeed.

From her TCU beginnings to the boardroom, Katie Farmer credits her Horned Frog community for shaping the leader she is today. Photo by James Anger

How do you keep developing after 33 years at one company?

Change is constant. I make it a priority to do one thing every year that scares me, something that pushes me outside my comfort zone. I’ve testified before a Senate subcommittee. I’ve given speeches where I had to be funny, which is not my natural style. Those experiences keep me humble and growing.

What advice would you give students about building a career?

Keep your development a priority. Don’t get too comfortable. Challenge yourself to change before you’re forced to change. And remember what really matters. For me, it’s a triangle: faith, family and purpose. Sometimes one side stretches longer than the others, but balance comes from always returning to those three points.