Marie C Sage
Marie Sage is a transportation industry professional based in Cortez, Colorado, currently serving as a Manager for Sunshine Rides, where she oversees operations across the southwest region, including the Cortez and Durango areas. With nearly a decade of experience in transportation and logistics, she manages day-to-day scheduling, dispatch coordination, vehicle usage reporting, and overall operational flow for a fleet of approximately 25–30 vehicles, including transit vans used for group and airport transportation. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, she remains hands-on in the field, stepping in as a driver or assisting with dispatch when operational demands require it.
Marie’s career began in healthcare and community support, where she worked for about 20 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant and also contributed to services at a homeless shelter. Seeking a new direction that aligned with her personal interests and physical well-being, she transitioned into transportation in 2017 as a taxi driver. Through dedication and strong performance, she quickly advanced from driver to supervisor and ultimately to management within a local cab company in Cortez. Following the company’s acquisition by Sunshine Rides in 2023, she successfully adapted to organizational changes and earned her continued leadership role within the new structure.
Alongside her professional growth, Marie has pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. She applies her academic background to her leadership style, emphasizing communication, accountability, and a supportive workplace culture. Outside of work, she is deeply committed to her family life, caring for her teenage daughter and her mother, while also staying connected to her adult children and grandchildren. She values balance, service, and community impact, particularly in ensuring reliable transportation access for those who depend on it most.
• CNA
• Southern New Hampshire University - MBA
• Honor Roll
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work and persistence, consistently advancing from driver to supervisor to manager while proving myself through a company acquisition. I have also continued investing in my growth through further education, including an MBA in Organizational Leadership.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was a consistent challenge from a local business owner to think more intentionally about how I could apply my psychology degree in a practical, impactful way. That guidance ultimately helped me reassess my direction, shift my focus, and pursue an MBA in Organizational Leadership.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to be persistent and capable, and to consistently demonstrate that you can do the work. I also want my daughter—and other young women—to see that there are no limits to what they can achieve; you truly can do whatever you set your mind to.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field include rising operational costs such as fuel and vehicle maintenance, which often require adjustments in customer pricing. Maintaining consistent and reliable medical transportation services is also a constant priority, particularly when managing staffing challenges like driver call-outs. Additionally, competition from platform-based providers in rural markets continues to reshape the industry landscape. On a personal level, there are also occasional challenges navigating bias as a woman in leadership.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values in my work and personal life are open communication, empathy, and a commitment to helping people. I also prioritize being accessible and supportive to staff, while maintaining a positive and practical approach to problem-solving.