Her Story
About Katrina
Katrina Hawkins is the Founder of DJH Express National Training Academy, where she leads the design and delivery of workforce development and registered apprenticeship programs. Based in Dallas, Texas, she focuses on building structured career pathways that connect individuals to sustainable employment in the transportation and logistics industries, including CDL driving, warehouse operations, dispatch, and emerging technical fields such as drone-related careers.
With more than two decades of professional experience in telecommunications and technical operations at AT&T, she brings a strong foundation in field-based and project management roles. Her background as a communications technician and technical project manager shaped her understanding of hands-on skilled trades work and reinforced her commitment to expanding access to non-traditional career pathways. She now applies that experience to developing employer-aligned training systems that prioritize practical skills, job readiness, and long-term employment outcomes.
In her current leadership role, she is actively engaged in workforce advocacy, apprenticeship expansion, and reentry-focused employment initiatives that support underserved populations, including veterans and justice-impacted individuals. She also promotes broader exposure to skilled trades and non-traditional careers, particularly encouraging women to explore opportunities in transportation and technical industries. Her work reflects a consistent focus on bridging education, training, and employment through accessible, real-world workforce solutions.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Katrina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the women in my family, to my mom and my grandmother. They taught me by example. I watched them do community service right out of their homes, opening their homes to people. My grandma used to just feed the neighborhood, feed the church. My mom always opened up our home to people that needed somewhere to stay. I just witnessed how hard they worked, and so just to honor them, I had to work just as hard. That's who I attribute it to. They didn't have to sit me down and tell me to do this, they just showed me by example, which was the best education that I could have ever asked for growing up. My mom showed such a great example. She was actually a technician at AT&T from the late 70s, and when I graduated college, I followed in her footsteps and started working at AT&T, just by her example.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'm always telling young girls to look for those non-traditional jobs that you normally wouldn't think about, because those would be the best opportunities for you. I absolutely loved just being out in the field doing hands-on work. It's job security. These non-traditional roles offer such great job security as well. Don't be afraid to climb poles, go down into sewers, get your hands dirty. Those opportunities in male-prevalent fields can be some of the most rewarding and stable careers you can find.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is one of my most important values in both my personal and professional life. I have been married for over 23 years, and I deeply cherish the time I spend with my husband and extended family, including staying present for meaningful moments like my niece’s recent graduation. I also value rest and intentional self-care, making it a priority to set aside at least one day each weekend to fully disconnect from work so I can recharge and stay grounded. At the same time, I am deeply committed to purpose-driven work, and I dedicate my additional time and resources to my business and nonprofit efforts because I am passionate about opening doors and creating opportunities for others.
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