Her Story
About Kyri
Kyri Ford has spent more than two decades helping others unlock their potential, first as an aspiring educator and later as a respected leader in professional driver training. Inspired by relatives who built careers in the classroom, she initially pursued teaching in the public school system, only to find that the financial realities of the profession pushed her toward a different path. In 2003, she found her way into transportation education, and what began as a career shift soon became a genuine calling. Today, she leads training operations at a campus in Niceville, Florida, where she opens the facility each morning, guides a small team of instructors, and delivers a rigorous four-week curriculum designed to prepare aspiring commercial drivers for the road ahead. What sets Ford apart is her ability to merge two very different worlds of instruction. Drawing on techniques she developed during her time in public education, she doesn't just show students the mechanics of operating a tractor-trailer — she makes sure they understand the reasoning behind every procedure, believing that comprehension builds lasting confidence. Her steady, thoughtful approach has earned recognition from students, peers, and company leadership alike, and has even taken her beyond her home campus to support training initiatives in Texas. Yet her path hasn't been without obstacles: working in a field long dominated by men, particularly within the more traditional culture of the Florida panhandle, she has often had to prove her capability to skeptical students and colleagues. Rather than let those attitudes discourage her, she has met every challenge with patience, consistency, and quiet confidence. For Ford, success is built on character as much as competence. She holds firmly to the belief that integrity and honesty carry a person further than any technical skill ever could, and she instills that same philosophy in her students — encouraging them to lift one another up rather than compete against each other. Her advice to young women entering the field is simple: never count yourself out, focus on your strengths, and remember that tools exist to close any gap. Through her steady leadership and unwavering commitment to her students' growth, Kyri Ford continues to shape not just skilled drivers, but confident, principled professionals ready to build better futures for themselves and their families — a legacy that has earned her recognition as an honoree in the 2026 edition of Influential Women.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kyri
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to simply doing what I know how to do, without trying to impress anyone. I focus on giving my best and being my best. More than any technical skill, I believe character and integrity are what carry a person furthest — character is who you are, and integrity is what you do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to stay true to what I know rather than trying to prove myself to others. Doing my best and being my best has served me far better than chasing approval, and I hold onto the belief that character and integrity will always outlast any single skill.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women not to see themselves primarily as women in the workplace, but as individuals pursuing or competing for the same opportunities as anyone else. Don't count yourself out before you've even started — focus on your strengths rather than dwelling on perceived weaknesses. While there may be natural differences in certain areas, there are always tools and resources available to level the playing field, so never assume you're at a disadvantage.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the ongoing challenges I face is still gaining full acceptance from some male students and colleagues, some of whom still prefer being taught by a man. This mindset is tied to more traditional, old-fashioned attitudes still present in parts of the Florida panhandle. Even now, in 2026, there remain people who think this way, and it can limit the opportunities women have to demonstrate their abilities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Character is the value I emphasize most, both inside and outside the classroom. I believe technical skills can always be taught, but qualities like honesty, responsibility, teamwork, and respect are what truly define lasting success. I make it a priority to encourage students to support one another rather than compete, because I've seen that collaboration builds stronger professionals and stronger communities.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.