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women in auto care

Who We Are
The Women in Auto Care (WiAC) organization is dedicated to the advancement, education and empowerment of women within the auto care industry. Email us: womeninautocare@autocare.org

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

Annual Women's Leadership Conference - focused on professional development, offering several educational and networking opportunities
- Accredited by Northwood University since 2012 - offering continuing education unit (CEU) credits
Scholarship Program – Women in Auto Care 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), Standard Motor Products
- Nicole Brennan, Hopkins Manufacturing
- Brandi Gardner, AutoZone
- Jacquie Hower, Zimmerman’s Auto
- Kylie Hirko, Vehicle Repair Group | Endeavor Business Media
- Jacki Lutz, Sensata Technologies
- Jessica Toliuszis, N.A. Williams
- 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)

September 10 @ 7pm EST | Microsoft Teams

Pour yourself a beverage and join us for an hour of casual conversation centered around mentorship and professional development. Our September session will feature a discussion on communications, facilitated by Ed Coleman, Corporate Communications at FedEx.

Ed Coleman has 30 years of experience in corporate communications, workforce communications, international communications, reputation management, and media relations. His areas of expertise include planning and implementing communications strategies, project/program management, brand/reputation management, executive communications, employee communications, strategic media relations, change management communications, crisis communications/issues management, and corporate culture implementation. Ed is also highly involved in philanthropic organizations. Most recently, he raised more than $800K for a virtual fundraiser for the FedEx Family House --- a home away from home for out-of-town families with children receiving treatment at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

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)

September 24th | Microsoft Teams

Women in Auto Care is launching a book-ish club and we’d love you to participate!These will be fun, one-hour calls once a month to connect and share. Maybe you read the book, maybe you don’t read the book. Judgment free zone! You’ll have a blast and pick up a trick or two while connecting with our Women in Auto Care community.

Our September book is How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back From Your Next Raise, Promotion or Job by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith.

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
To sign up to participate, please click here. Information on buying the book can be found here.

2020 Women in Auto Care @ AAPEX

Nov. 3-5 | 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

CarmCast Auto Care Association Awards Highlights

Automotive Communications Awards

Deadline to submit has been extended to October 2, 2020

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.

Winners will be 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.

Entry fees: $195 for first entry / $125 for each additional entry

Automotive Communications Award Categories (PDF)

+ Award Eligibility and Criteria

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.
2019 Winner: Jennifer Maher, Chief Executive Officer, TechForce Foundation and America's Automotive Trust
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.
2019 Winner: Jamie Carlson, Owner, Ervine's Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid
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.
2019 Winner: Cindy Frasca, Chief Operating Officer, Kukui

+ 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