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women in auto care

Who We Are
Women in Auto Care (WiAC) is comprised of 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
WiAC 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.

The committee organizes and hosts an annual Women's Leadership Conference. The conferences focuses on professional development and offers several educational and networking opportunities.
- 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.
Every year, WiAC grants multiple scholarships for deserving high school and post-secondary female students. Since 2004, Women in Auto Care has awarded more than $450,000 to female students.
WiAC administers and sanctions several awards recognizing excellence in several categories throughout the industry. All awards are presented annually during the WiAC awards ceremony at the AAPEX show in Las Vegas.
- Women of the Year awards provide recognition to the amazing female contributors within the automotive industry.
- The Automotive Communication Awards recognize companies and agencies that provide automotive information through outstanding advertising, marketing and public relations efforts.

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LEADERSHIP EVENTS AWARDS MENTORING SCHOLARSHIPS SPONSORS

Committee Liaison

Kelly Molyneux
Director, Technology Programs

Contact Us
Women in Auto Care Executive Committee Members
- Tammy Chaffee Tecklenburg (Chair), Tecklenburg Advisors
- Olivia Newton (Vice Chair), Standard Motor Products
- 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.

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. 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.
Overview of our Events!

Next Event:

2019 Women in Auto Care @ AAPEX
Nov. 5-7 | Las Vegas, NV
Join us at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas

Tuesday November 5, 2019
Open to all | Women in Auto Care Awards Ceremony & Reception
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Venetian, Casanova 505 & 605

Thursday November 7, 2019
Women in Auto Care Networking Lunch
Buddy V's Ristorante
3327 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Browse through previous conference photos
- Women's Leadership Conference - 2019 Summer
- Women In Auto Care 2019 Winter Leadership Conference

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 awards ceremony and reception during the AAPEX show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Questions? Email: womeninautocare@autocare.org

Watch this informative CarmCast on the benefits of getting involved

CarmCast Auto Care Association Awards Highlights

Automotive Communications Awards

Deadline to submit: Closed

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.

Communication Awards are CLOSED for 2019

+ Award Eligibility and Criteria

LIST of COMMUNICATION AWARD CATEGORIES

Women 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

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

+ Award Eligibility and Criteria

*WOTY Awards are CLOSED for 2019*

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
Eligability 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)
Become a SponsorDonate to the Scholarship FundRefer a Friend
- Share this informational brochure with your students and school
- Name and fund a scholarship with your company Brand (email womeninautocare@autocare.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 $450,000 in scholarships to female students seeking careers in our industry
Donate to the Scholarship Fund

Questions? Email: womeninautocare@autocare.org

women in auto care