Dominika Leja Named 2026 Fleet Manager of the Year
Dominika Leja, Associate Director of Fleet at AstraZeneca, has been honored with the 2026 Edward J. Bobit Fleet Manager of the Year award. This prestigious recognition is given annually to a fleet manager demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation, and measurable results in commercial fleet management.
Leja expressed her gratitude, stating, “I’m truly honored to receive this award. Fleet has been such an important part of my career, and receiving this recognition from an industry that I respect so deeply is incredibly meaningful to me.”
With over 20 years of experience in fleet leadership, Leja has significantly impacted AstraZeneca’s operations since her return in 2023. She spearheaded a major transformation, transitioning nearly 6,000 vehicles to battery-electric models. “Over the past five years at AZ, we’ve successfully transitioned to over 100% EV vehicles,” she noted, acknowledging the challenges of this process.
AstraZeneca ordered 6,235 EVs and successfully deployed over 5,300 as part of its electrification initiatives. This extensive transition involved coordination across multiple sectors, including charging infrastructure and supplier management.
To alleviate potential challenges for employees in multifamily housing regarding charging access, Leja worked proactively to enhance infrastructure availability. The electrification efforts have resulted in significant achievements, such as $9.7 million in annual fuel cost avoidance and the elimination of 3.8 million gallons of fuel usage, alongside a reduction of over 33 billion grams of CO2 emissions.
Leja emphasized that fleet management goes beyond just vehicles, stating, “It’s about people, partnerships, and solving complex problems.” She also recognized the importance of community within the industry, expressing her admiration for her peers and the collaborative nature of their work.
She was selected from a competitive group of finalists, including Jen VrMeer (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Linda Ellis (UCB), and Ron McGuigan (TurnPoint Services).
In her closing remarks, Leja reiterated her passion for the industry, saying, “There’s always another challenge to solve, another opportunity to improve, and another way to make the driver experience better.”
For additional insights, you can learn more about the recognition of other industry leaders, such as Jamie McKay, who was named the 2026 Fleet Visionary Award Winner.
