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women in auto care

women in auto care

Now accepting nominations for the 2019 Woman of the Year Awards. For more information about entry requirements, click on Awards below. To access the online entry form, click here . The deadline for applying is July 1, 2019.

Who We Are
Women in Auto Care is comprised of 200+ individual members employed in the automotive industry. The organization is dedicated to the advancement, education and empowerment of women within the auto care industry.

What We Do
Women in Auto Care (WiAC) is dedicated to providing opportunities, education and career leadership to women in the auto care industry through conferences and networking, scholarships, education, data, awards, scholarships and more.

Benefits
Members have access to all Women in Auto Care resources and communications.

  • The committee organizes and hosts bi-annual Women's Leadership Conferences each winter and summer. These conferences focus on professional development and offer several educational and networking opportunities.
  • Every year, WiAC awards multiple scholarships for deserving high school and post-secondary female students. Since 2004, Women in Auto Care has awarded more than $340,000 to female students.  
  • WiAC administers and sanctions several awards recognizing excellence in several categories throughout the industry. WiAC has Women of the Year awards, as well as Automotive Communication Awards, presented annually during the WiAC press conference at the AAPEX show in Las Vegas.
  • WiAC conferences are accredited by the Northwood University since 2012, offering attendees continuing education unit (CEU) credits toward their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations.

  • Committee Liaison

    Kelly Molyneux
    Director, Technology Programs



    Women in Auto Care Executive Committee Members

    • Tammy Chaffee Tecklenburg (Chair), Spectrum Brands - Global Auto Care 
    • Olivia Newton (Vice Chair), Standard Motor Products
    • Amy Mattinat, Auto Craftsmen Ltd.
    • Sarah Shelstrom, Integrated Supply Network
    • Dawn Zieren, The NPD Group
    • Danielle Sonnefeld, N.A. Williams Company
    • Lisa Nazoyan, MAHLE Aftermarket Inc.
    • Jill Trotta, RepairPal
    • Brandi Gardner, AutoZone

    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.

    Click to expand initiatives:
    + Communications and Communication Awards (AAPEX)
    + Conference Planning /Women of the Year Awards
    + Global Collaborations
    + Mentoring
    + Scholarships
    + Shop Owner and Technician Collaborations
    + Sponsorship

  • Women in Auto Care organizes and hosts a winter and summer leadership conference. These conferences provide 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.

    Check out our Event Brochure for more details on what you can expect from our leadership conferences!

    Event Brochure

    Upcoming Events

    2019 Summer Women Leadership Conference
    Aug. 7-8 | Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center | Detroit, MI

    Join us in Detroit as we join with AIA Canada to bring women in the auto care industry across borders for an international meeting of ideas, insight and influence. This conference will offer women in our industry new ways to explore and achieve their professional goals by expanding their networks and influence across borders.

    Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center 
    Address: 400 Renaissance Drive, Detroit, MI 48243 
    Phone: (333) 568-8000

    Learn more   Add to Calendar

    2019 Women in Auto Care @ AAPEX
    Nov. 5-7 | Las Vegas, NV

    Join us at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo ( AAPEX) in Las Vegas

    Details to come…

    Tuesday: 
    Women in Auto Care Awards Ceremony & Reception - Open to all

    Thursday: 
    Women in Auto Care Networking Lunch - Women in Auto Care members only

    Browse through previous conference photos

  • Women in Auto Care awards provide recognition to the amazing female 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 and recipients are recognized at the Women in Auto Care press conference and reception during the AAPEX show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Questions? Email:  info@womeninautocare.org

    Woman of the Year Awards

    Women in Auto Care annually honors 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.
      2018 Winner: Dawn Zieren, SVP Global and Strategic Initiatives, The NPD Group
    • 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.
      2018 Winner: Kathleen Jarosik, Owner, Xpertech Auto Repair, Inc.
    • 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.
      2018 Winner: Nicole Huard, Manager, Category Management and Consumer Insights, Robert Bosch, LLC

    Nominate today!

    Automotive Communications Awards

    The Automotive Communications Awards recognize 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.

    We have updated our list of categories, please review our complete list.

    **Communication Awards are CLOSED for 2018**

    + Award Eligibility and Criteria

     

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

    Mentee 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

    Mentor Benefits

     • 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. Since 2004, Women in Auto Care has awarded more than $340,000 to female students.

    Scholarships change lives! 
    2018 Women in Auto Care Grand Prize Winner
    Christina Schneider, Mt. San Jacinto College

    Apply for 2019

    Applications accepted through 3/31/2019

    Post-Secondary Awards:

    • Kathleen Schmatz Scholarship $10,000
    • Three $5,000 Awards
    • Eight $2,500 Awards

    High School Awards:

    • One $5,000 award
    • Two $2,500 award
    • Five $1,000

    Eligibility Requirements:

    • Post-Secondary Applicants

      • Applicants must be a female student who is currently enrolled in a post-secondary program at an accredited college and planning a career in the auto care industry
      • Applicants must have a minimum grade point average (2.5 or better)

    • High School Applicants

      • Applicant must be a female high school senior who has applied and been accepted into a post-secondary program at an accredited college with a career plan to be employed in the auto care industry. Job function can range from technician/shop owner to the many business functions needed at all levels of the distribution channel.
      • Applicants must have a minimum grade point average (2.5 or better)

    Help us fund even more female scholars! 

    Become a Sponsor Donate to the Scholarship Fund Refer a Friend

      • Share this informational brochure with your students and school
      • Name and fund a scholarship with your company Brand (email info@womeninautocare.org)

      Thank you to the  University of the Aftermarket Foundation for the $25,000 grant for our 2018 Scholarship Program!

      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 PACKET

      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 $340,000 in scholarships to female students seeking careers in our industry

      Donate to the Scholarship Fund

      Questions? Email:  info@womeninautocare.org


      WiAC Sponsors_2019


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