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Women in Auto Care Awards

Women in Auto Care annually honors deserving women and allies in the industry with Women in Auto Care Awards:

  • Women of Excellence Award
  • Champion of the Year Award
  • Shop Owner of the Year Award
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Outstanding Leadership Award
  • Company Ally of the Year Award

Award recipients are recognized at the Women in Auto Care press conference and reception during AAPEX in Las Vegas.

Women in Auto Care annually distributes several awards in recognition of the amazing contributors within the automotive industry. The Women in Auto Care Awards are administered by the Women in Auto Care Leadership Council, alongside volunteer industry volunteers. Winners are recognized at the Women in Auto Care awards ceremony and reception during AAPEX in Las Vegas, as well as via both Women in Auto Care and Auto Care Association media channels.

Presented at

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AAPEX 2026

For three days this fall, AAPEX 2026 returns to Las Vegas, bringing the automotive industry together at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum where aftermarket challenges meet solutions.

  • Date November 3–5, 2026
  • Location Venetian Expo and Caesar's Forum, Las Vegas, NW Get directions

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Event details AAPEXShow.com

Award categories

  • Category 1 Women of Excellence Award Class of Four, 5-10 years in the industry
  • Category 2 Outstanding Leadership Award 11-20 years in the industry

    Formerly Woman of the Year Award

  • Category 3 Champion of the Year Award
  • Category 4 Company Ally of the Year Award
  • Category 5 Shop Owner of the Year Award
  • Category 6 Lifetime Achievement Award 21+ years in the industry

2026 recipients

Presented at AAPEX 2026

Women of Excellence Award

Outstanding Leadership Award

Champion of the Year Award

Company Ally of the Year Award

Shop Owner of the Year Award

Lifetime Achievement Award

2025 Award Winners
  • Champion of the Year Award
    • Amy Steele, VP, Customer Experience, NexaMotion Group
  • Company Ally of the Year Award
    • Highline Warren
  • Shop Owner of the Year Award
    • Shari Pheasant, Owner, Master Mechanic
  • Women of Excellence Award
    • Lauren Briggs, Director, Sales & Marketing, NAPA Auto Care
    • Cass Tomac, Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing, Highline Warren
    • Heather Antrim, Commercial Category Manager, AutoZone
    • Tracy Capriotto, Director of Content & Producer, Remarkable Results Radio
  • Outstanding Leadership Award
    • Olivia Droney Newton, Sr. Vice President of Category Management and Customer Insights, N.A. Williams Company
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
    • Courtney Pedler, CEO, Autology Data, Management Group
2024 Award Winners
  • Champion of the Year Award
    • Anna Gluck, Chief Human Resources Officer, Transtar Aftermarket Solutions
  • Company Ally of the Year Award
    • Parts Authority
  • Shop Owner of the Year Award
    • Julie Holmes, Co-CEO, Virginia Tire and Auto
  • Women of Excellence Award:
    • Christine Mobley, VP Talent Management and Belonging, Dorman Products
    • Jillian Weishaar, Manager of Education and Diversity and Inclusion, Parts Authority
    • Lauren McCullough, CEO & Co-Founder, Tromml
    • Sarah Sacks, DC Manager, Highline Warren .
  • Outstanding Leadership Award:
    • Sheila Sarkozi, Senior Growth & Industry Marketing Manager, RepairPal
  • Lifetime Achievement Award:
    • Tina Hubbard, President & CEO, HDA Truck Pride
2020 Award Winners
  • Woman of the Year: Lauren Beaulieu, Vice President Professional Marketing, Advance Auto Parts
  • Shop Owner of the Year: Kim Auernheimer, Owner/ Business Manager, Cool Springs Automotive, LLC (dba CS Automotive) 
  • Woman of Excellence: Danielle Sonnefeld, VP of Business Development, N.A. Williams Company 
2017 Award Winners
  • Woman of the Year: Laura Soave, Executive VP, Merchandising, Marketing, Communications, and Commercial Strategy, Icahn Automotive Group LLC
  • Shop Owner of the Year: Carolyn Coquilette, Owner, Technician, Luscious Garage
  • Woman of Excellence: Jill Trotta, VP, Industry Advocacy & Sales, RepairPal, Inc.
2023 Award Winners
  • Champion of the Year Award
    • April Williamson, Associate Category Manager, NAPA
  • Company Ally of the Year Award
    • Standard Motor Products, Inc.
  • Shop Owner of the Year Award
    • Jessica Carrino, Owner, Sparks Tire & Auto
  • Women of Excellence Award:
    • Susan Starnes, Vice President, Emerging Markets, Genuine Parts Company
    • Ashlee Arnold. Vice President, Arnold Oil Company of Austin
    • Tanya Hunt, commercial project manager, BBB Industries
    • Jennifer Tio, President, Maximum Marketing Services, Inc.
  • Outstanding Leadership Award:
    • Jill Trotta, TechForce
  • Lifetime Achievement Award:
    • Tammy Tecklenburg, Founder & CEO, dott.®
2019 Award Winners
  • Woman of the Year: Jennifer Maher, Chief Executive Officer, TechForce Foundation and America’s Automotive Trust
  • Shop Owner of the Year: Jamie Carlson, Owner, Ervine’s Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid
  • Woman of Excellence: Cindy Frasca, Chief Operating Officer, Kukui
2016 Award Winners
  • Woman of the Year: Amy Bonder, Executive Vice President, Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC
  • Shop Owner of the Year: Judy Zimmerman, Owner, Zimmerman's Automotive Service
  • Woman of Excellence: Susan Ulrey, Vice President - FCA Global Business Unit, Tenneco, Inc.
2022 Award Winners
  • Woman of the Year: Kim Nolan, Senior Vice President, traditional market, BBB Industries
  • Shop Owner of the Year: Kristi Hudson, Co-owner, Troy Auto Care II
  • Woman of Excellence: Kathleen Long, Chief Revenue Officer, RepairPal
  • Shop Employee of the Year: Megan Dineff, Manager, Ervine’s Auto Repair & Grand Rapids Hybrid and EV
  • Champion of the Year: Tanya Hunt, Commercial Project Manager, BBB Industries
2021 Award Winners
  • Woman of the Year: Jilynna Greene, VP, Field HR Operations, AutoZone
  • Shop Owner of the Year: Tara Topel, Owner, Topel's Service Center, Inc.
  • Woman of Excellence: Anne Coffin, Director of Information Technology, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.
2018 Award Winners
  • Woman of the Year: Dawn Zieren, SVP Global and Strategic Initiatives, The NPD Group
  • Shop Owner of the Year: Kathleen Callahan, Owner, Xpertech Auto Repair, Inc.
  • Woman of Excellence: Nicole Huard, Manager - Data & Category Management, Robert Bosch, LLC
2015 Award Winners
  • Woman of the Year: Tammy Tecklenburg, Partner, Tecklenburg Advisors
  • Shop Owner of the Year: Pamela Gatto, President, Gatto's Tires & Auto Service
  • Woman of Excellence: Vonda Lee, Partner, Supply Line International

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