A career built on confidence, care and community
Every morning, thousands of Melburnians step onto a tram and trust that it will arrive safely, on time and with care. Behind that trust is a network of people who take their work seriously, including the leaders who make sure their teams are equipped, confident and proud of what they do.
Reina Cordeiro and Stela Armstrong are both Team Managers at Yarra Trams. Between them, they bring close to 20 years of experience within the organisation. Their leadership styles are distinct, but they share the same core belief: that the people behind the network matter just as much as the network itself.
From the driver’s seat to the manager’s office
Reina’s connection to the role runs deep. Before she became a Team Manager, she was a Tram Driver herself. That experience didn’t leave her when she stepped into leadership — it became the foundation of everything she does.
“Having been a tram driver myself, I understand the pressure firsthand that drivers face out on the network. When something unexpected happens, you need to stay calm and think quickly. No two days are the same.”
That understanding shapes the way she coaches her team today.
“The most rewarding part of my role is coaching and mentoring. You see someone start out nervous and over time you see them turn into confident Tram Drivers. Watching that growth is incredibly satisfying.”
With 12 years at Yarra Trams, Reina has seen many drivers make that journey. And she knows the value of practical wisdom passed from one person to the next.
“I try to pass on the tips and tricks that helped me when I was driving. Sometimes the smallest piece of advice can make someone feel more confident in their day.”
Leading through complexity with clarity
Stela Armstrong, Team Manager at the Camberwell depot, brings a different but equally deliberate approach to leadership. Where some might see ambiguity and pressure as obstacles, Stela sees them as the conditions where her best work happens.
“My favourite part of my role is leading people through complexity; taking ambiguous, high-pressure situations and turning them into clarity, alignment and confidence,” she says.
For Stela, leadership is about being present, consistent and direct.
“Drivers know I am consistent, fair and clear. It’s a team where people can just get on with the job and feel proud of what they do.”
She sets a high standard — not to create pressure, but to pull everyone upward.
“I refuse to operate at an average. I set a pace and a standard that pulls everyone upward. My team knows that I am right there with them, leading from the front, lifting pressure, and making sure no one carries the load alone.”
Did you know Yarra Trams offers both internal and external mentoring programs to all employees?
Building solutions that travel
One of Reina’s proudest contributions came from a problem she noticed quietly affecting service reliability across the network: early running.
Early departures and service gaps were impacting the customer experience and creating ripple effects across routes. Rather than accepting it as an inevitability, Reina looked for a solution.
“I did some research and created a booklet for both current drivers and new starters,” she explains. The guide covered how early running was measured, what triggered it and where the timing points were across key routes — giving drivers clear, practical information they could apply immediately.
The results followed quickly.
“Once the booklets were circulated, we saw a drop in early running at the depot. What made me especially proud was seeing the initiative adopted by other depots. It showed that something we built locally had real value across the network.”
For Reina, it was a reminder that meaningful improvements often start with one person noticing something that could be done better.
When the pressure is highest
If Reina’s strength is building systems that support her team day to day, Stela’s is thriving precisely when the stakes are highest. Special events — major sporting fixtures, concerts, public celebrations — test the network’s limits. They demand precision, composure and fast decision-making.
That is exactly where Stela does some of her best work.
“I assist in coordinating drivers, managing pressure points, and I help keep services moving when the network is at its busiest. Working under pressure brings out the best in us. These moments show our discipline, our teamwork, and our ability to deliver when it matters most.”
For Stela, those high-pressure days aren’t just tests — they’re proof of what a strong team looks like in action.
A career built to last
For Reina, the stability that Yarra Trams offers isn’t just professional, it’s personal. She’s a mother to a three-year-old, and her husband also works at Yarra Trams in Operations. The organisation is woven into her family life in more ways than one.
“I can truly say time flies when you are having fun. It’s a career that offers stability, responsibility and career growth. Every day brings something different. You’re constantly problem solving and thinking on your feet while keeping safety front of mind.”
And for women who might wonder whether transport is a space for them, her answer is direct.
“This industry values skill, safety and professionalism. It’s not about gender.”
Step in with confidence
Stela’s advice for women considering a career in transport comes from lived experience — and her life beyond the depot. As a mother of four who works full-time and recently completed her MBA, she knows what it means to operate under pressure across multiple fronts.
“I’m living proof that you don’t have to fit a perfect mold to succeed here. Anyone with determination, curiosity and a strong work ethic can build a meaningful and rewarding career in this field.”
She is clear about what the industry offers — and what it asks of those who want to grow.
“Transport offers stability, genuine career progression, and the chance to make a visible impact every day. If you’re willing to learn and enjoy working with people who value teamwork and accountability, you’ll find that this isn’t just a job. It’s a place where you can rise.”
Her message for women standing at the edge of that decision is simple: step in with confidence.
“This industry is evolving quickly, and it needs women who bring discipline, awareness, and the ability to stay steady when things get busy. You don’t need to have every skill on day one — you grow into the role.”
Between them, Reina and Stela represent two kinds of leadership the network genuinely needs: one that mentors from lived experience, and one that drives through complexity with precision and pace.
Together, they are part of what makes Melbourne move.
