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women in auto care

Who We Are
The Women in Auto Care community is dedicated to its mission of connecting, empowering and mentoring women within the auto care industry. Email us: womeninautocare@autocare.org

What We Do
Women in Auto Care provides opportunities, education and career leadership to women in the auto care industry through conferences, networking, scholarships, education, data, awards and more.

Leadership Conferences - Women in Auto Care conferences fo
Format
cus on personal and professional development, offering various educational and networking opportunities.
- Accredited by Northwood University since 2012 - offering continuing education unit (CEU) credits
Scholarship Program – Women in Auto Care annually grants scholarships to deserving high school and post-secondary female students
Awards – Women in Auto Care administers and sanctions awards at the Women in Auto Care awards ceremony during AAPEX in Las Vegas
- Women of the Year awards
- The Automotive Communication Awards
Mentor Program – Women in Auto Care curates mentor relationships based on individual goals, fit, and experiences

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LEADERSHIP EVENTS AWARDS MENTORING SCHOLARSHIPS SPONSORS

Community Liaison
Jessica Finnerty, CEM
Manager, Meetings and Events

Contact Us

Women in Auto Care Executive Committee Members
- Olivia Newton (Chair), Mamm + Hummel
- Jessica Toliuszis (Vice Chair) N.A. Williams
- Nicole Brennan, Hopkins Manufacturing
- Brandi Gardner, AutoZone
- Jacquie Hower, Zimmerman’s Auto
- Kylie Hirko, Vehicle Repair Group | Endeavor Business Media
- Jacki Lutz, Sensata Technologies
- Jill Trotta, RepairPal
- Rhonda Young, Kukui Corporation
Women in Auto Care Champions
Women in Auto Care Champions have exclusive opportunities to help support our key initiatives through ‘Micro Volunteering’ efforts. Champions earn insight and exposure to the committee and meet volunteer requirements for certifications, such as ACP.
Become a champion today!
Click to expand initiatives:
+ Communications and Communication Awards (AAPEX)
Communications champions will help increase the Women in Auto Care social media presence and participation, promote Women in Auto Care initiatives by developing press releases and Auto Care Association insider articles in addition to assisting with generating website content to increase awareness throughout the year.
Communication Awards Champions will support the committee member to help drive and increase participation for the Communication awards, promote the award awareness, judging submissions and choosing winners. The Communication Awards are presented annually during the Women in Auto Care Press Conference at AAPEX.
Inititiave Lead Champion: Sarah Shelstrom
+ Conference Planning /Women of the Year Awards
Conference Planning champions will assist the committee member with the Leadership Conference planning. Conference planning initiatives consist of driving program coordination to include vetting speakers, helping to develop program structure, and providing feedback on meeting related events.
Women of the Year Champions will support the committee member to help drive and increase participation for the Women of the Year award, promote the award awareness, judging submissions and choose winners.
Inititiave Lead Champion: Olivia Newton
+ Global Collaborations
Champions will work with the Committee Chair to help develop a model to collaborate and/or replicate Women in Auto Care initiatives in other countries, communities, etc. This offers an opportunity to expand relationships and opportunities for the Auto Care Association and Women in Auto Care community.
Inititiave Lead Champion: Tammy Tecklenburg
+ Mentoring
Mentoring Champions will drive the participation and adoption of mentoring program in addition to developing the mentoring program content for current and aspiring Women in Auto Care members.
Inititiave Lead Champion: Lisa Nazoyan
+ Scholarships
Champions for the Scholarship committee will support the committee member by selecting scholarship winners from applicant pool in addition to driving donations, funding, promoting awareness and supporting the Party with a Purpose initiative.
Inititiave Lead Champion: Danielle Sonnefeld and Dawn Zieren
+ Shop Owner and Technician Collaborations
Shop Owner and Technician Champion supporters will collaborate with other shop owner and technician groups to help set up programs that will increase the involvement, participation, and value for women in this segment of Women in Auto Care.
Inititiave Lead Champion: Amy Mattinat
+ Sponsorship
Sponsorship champions will aid in driving annual sponsors to financially support the Women in Auto Care community with a goal to increase sponsorship proceeds each year. As a champion you will also help to create and develop new effective opportunities for sponsor and innovative methods for Women in Auto Care to provide a value back to sponsors.
Inititiave Lead Champion: Brandi Gardner and Jill Trotta
Women in Auto Care organizes and hosts an annual leadership conference. This conference provides attendees with dynamic speakers and workshops including personal and professional development tools and updates on industry trends. All attendees are eligible to receive continuing education units (CEU) credits toward their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) professional designations.
Our conferences have been accredited by Northwood University since 2012.
Next Events:
Women in Auto Care Mentoring Mixer (Online Event)
January 14 @ 7pm EST | Microsoft Teams
"Bragging Better" with Stacey Miller, Senior Director Communications, Auto Care Association

While there's nothing wrong with being humble and down to earth, there are times where you must speak up in your career. Giving your achievments, initiatives and accomplishments a voice can help advance your role, increase your influence and showcase talents others might not have known about if you didn't speak up. In this mixer, Stacey will share how to brag gracefully alongside real-life examples of outcomes from bragging about yourself to the right people. Bragging rights are granted to all those who attend!
If you are interested in joining the Mentoring Mixer please email Jessica Toliuszis at jtoliuszis@nawilliams.com

Women in Auto Care Book(ish) Club (Online Event)
January 28th | Microsoft Teams
Our book for January is The 4 Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

In The Four Agreements, bestselling author don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

Get the book from Barnes and Noble here.
There are two opportunities to join - select whichever time works best for your schedule:
- Hooked on Books: Overbooked Breakfast Club - 9 a.m. EST/ 6 a.m. PST
- Books + Bubbly: Cocktails with a Literary Twist — 7 p.m. EST/ 4 p.m. PST
2021 Women in Auto Care @ AAPEX
Nov. 2 | Las Vegas, NV
Information on the Women in Auto Care awards presentation during the Virtual AAPEX Experience will be available soon!
Browse through previous event photos
Women in Auto Care awards provide recognition to the amazing contributors within the automotive industry. The committee reviews applicants and nominations and administers awards annually for both women of the year and automotive communications awards. Winners are recognized at the Women in Auto Care awards ceremony and reception during the Virtual AAPEX Experience and at Women in Auto Care 2021 events.
Watch this informative CarmCast on the benefits of getting involved

Automotive Communications Awards
Submissions are currently closed
Recognizing companies and agencies that provide automotive information through outstanding advertising, marketing and public relations efforts. The communications awards cover several Business to Consumer and Business to Business categories. Companies can submit for as many categories as they see fit.
2020 winners were recognized via the following channels:
- Mention in press release announcement;
- Recognition in the Women in Auto Care Virtual Awards Ceremony during the Virtual AAPEX Experience on Tuesday, Nov. 3;
- Inclusion in recording of Virtual Awards Ceremony to be posted across association social channels and the Women in Auto Care website
- Inclusion in social media initiative to showcase winners with their awards
- Recognition during Women in Auto Care 2021 conferences and events; and
- Opportunity to contribute thought leadership for an upcoming Women in Auto Care webinar.
Automotive Communications Award Categories (PDF)
+ Award Eligibility and Criteria
Any client, agency or supplier who has produced automotive advertising, marketing, merchandising and/or PR efforts targeted to consumers or the trade are eligible. The advertising, marketing, merchandising and PR efforts should be focused on the aftermarket. All entries must be produced and/or implemented between Sept. 1, 2019 and Aug. 31,2020.
- All attachments must be in PDF or jpg format. For any entries that involve video, please include links to the necessary content for review. For websites, send PDF or .jpg files of screenshots as necessary or website links.
- After you submit your entries, you will receive an invoice for payment.
Submit your Entry

Women of the Year Awards
Honoring deserving women throughout the industry with three Women of the Year Awards:
- Auto Care Woman of the Year -This award is presented annually to a woman who is a leader, mentor, and role model who has made significant and outstanding contributions to the auto care industry.
  2020 Winner: Lauren Beaulieu, vice president, professional marketing, Advance Auto Parts
- Female Shop Owner of the Year - This award is presented annually to an outstanding female shop owner who demonstrates role model behaviors, leadership and commitment to the advancement of women.
  2020 Winner: Kim Auernheimer, owner and business manager, Cool Springs Automotive, LLC (dba CS Automotive)
- Auto Care Woman of Excellence - This award is presented annually to a woman who is a Women in Auto Care member and who has provided recent outstanding contributions to the auto care industry while demonstrating role model behaviors, leadership and commitment to the advancement of women. She is considered a rising star in the industry.
  2020 Winner: Danielle Sonnefeld, vice president, business development, N.A. Williams Company
+ Award Eligibility and Criteria
Auto Care Woman of the Year
Criteria:
- Must have a record of achievement and leadership within the auto care industry
- Must make significant contributions that expand and improve the auto care industry
- Must have made extraordinary contributions as a volunteer, over and above her professional responsibilities, that have helped to address a pertinent need, problem or issue, or has made a difference that improves the quality of life for others
- Is a leader with vision whom impacts, empowers, and motivates others
- Is dedicated to developing and mentoring future female leaders by exercising role model behaviors and career coaching
Female Shop Owner of the Year
Criteria:
- Must be a managing owner of her shop, a shop in the auto care industry (independent repair shop, tire center, heavy duty repair shop)
- Must have a hands-on role in running the business
- Must be involved in additional activities within the auto care industry and community
- Has proven leadership ability and commitment to the advancement of women in the auto care industry
- Dedicated to educating female consumers to make informed decisions about the repairs and service of their vehicles
Auto Care Woman of Excellence
Criteria:
- She has made recent outstanding contributions to the auto care industry
- She has dedicated herself to the progression in and improvement of the auto care industry
- She’s been an influential role model who encourages excellence
- She has proven leadership ability and a commitment to the advancement of women
Please note that winners must be a Women in Auto Care/ Auto Care Association member in order to accept the award. For information on membership, please contact Jessica Finnerty at jessica.finnerty@autocare.org

Click here to view the past Woman of the Year Award Winners.

Join our mentorship program as a mentor or mentee. We will partner you for a mentor relationship that will help you grow.

Mentee Benefits		Mentor Benefits
Personalized development opportunity to address individual learning needs Opportunity to develop new skills and expertise Access to independent and objective perspectives Enhanced confidence in dealing with challenges and issues Enhanced networking opportunities Goals setting and follow through Clarity and career direction and advancement Support during times of change and transition		Learn new things Share your knowledge with a young professional Build additional professional relationships Develop leadership and management skills Gain fresh perspectives through interaction Invest in the future of the industry Helping others and see them progress

Join the Mentoring Program Refer a friend

Program Participants are encouraged to

Mutually establish clear goals
Meet monthly
Connect at industry events
Have FUN!

Every year, Woman in Auto Care awards multiple scholarships for high school and post-secondary female students that are looking at a career in the Auto Care Industry.

PRIZE: $5,000 Scholarship + Trip to 2019 AAPEX to be honored at the Woman in Auto Care Awards Ceremony & Reception
Apply for 2020
- Share this informational brochure with your students and school
Women in Auto Care is thankful to partner with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation to provide hundreds of scholarships each year. Named a Lifetime Trustee in 2018, Women in Auto Care joins the industry-wide initiative to support the next generation of students entering our business.
Thank you to Cornwell Tools for partnering with us for our Tool Kit awards!
Women in Auto Care is supported by a number of industry organizations whose generous support helps the community continue to operate exceptional programs that encourage women to participate in the industry and empower women in the industry throughout their careers.
Would you like to support Women in Auto Care and make an impact on the industry? Review our Sponsorship Information Packet for a variety of opportunities to support our community, initiatives, and help make a lasting impact.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORSHIP OVERVIEW

THANK YOU SPONSORS
PLATINUM ($10,000)
GOLD ($7,000)
SILVER ($5,000)
BRONZE ($2,000)
SUPPORTER (CONFERENCE SPONSORS)

Sponsorship dollars and membership dues support the following programs:
- Bi-annual leadership and educational conferences with high-value personal and professional development. Conferences provide attendees the opportunity to make valuable business connections and the opportunity to earn CEU credits.
- Awards - since 1998, Women in Auto Care have recognized outstanding achievement in marketing and communications through the Automotive Communications Awards. These awards provide recognition and elevate exposures for award participants
- Women of the Year Awards - since 1994, Women in Auto Care has recognized top females in all segments of the industry through the Women of the Year Awards at AAPEX. These awards provide recognition and elevate exposures for award participants
- Scholarships - since 2004, Women in Auto Care has awarded more than $450,000 in scholarships to female students seeking careers in our industry
Donate to the Scholarship Fund

women in auto care

Women in Auto Care Executive Committee Members

Women in Auto Care Champions

+ Communications and Communication Awards (AAPEX)

+ Conference Planning /Women of the Year Awards

+ Global Collaborations

+ Mentoring

+ Scholarships

+ Shop Owner and Technician Collaborations

+ Sponsorship

Next Events:

Women in Auto Care Mentoring Mixer (Online Event)

Women in Auto Care Book(ish) Club (Online Event)

January 28th | Microsoft Teams

2021 Women in Auto Care @ AAPEX

Nov. 2 | Las Vegas, NV

Browse through previous event photos

Watch this informative CarmCast on the benefits of getting involved

Automotive Communications Awards

+ Award Eligibility and Criteria

Women of the Year Awards

+ Award Eligibility and Criteria

Mentee Benefits

Mentor Benefits

THANK YOU SPONSORS

PLATINUM ($10,000)

GOLD ($7,000)

SILVER ($5,000)

BRONZE ($2,000)

SUPPORTER (CONFERENCE SPONSORS)