Community Liaison
Jessica Finnerty, CEM
Manager, Meetings and Events
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.
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 Book(ish) Club (Online Event)
June 25| Microsoft Teams
Women in Auto Care is launching a book-ish club and we would love you to participate! June's book is You Got This: The Ultimate Guide to Negotiation for Professional Women by Lelia Gowland. These fun, one-hour calls will take place at three different times so you can choose the one that best fits your busy schedule:
• Hooked on Books: Overbooked Breakfast Club — 9 a.m. EDT
• Famished for Non-Fiction: All Booked up with Lunch — 1 p.m. EDT
• Books + Bubbly: Cocktails with a Literary Twist — 7 p.m. EDT
Information on buying the book or signing up can be found here.
Nov. 3-5 | Las Vegas, NV
Tuesday Nov. 3: Women in Auto Care Awards Ceremony and Reception
Thursday Nov. 5: Women in Auto Care Networking Lunch
Browse through previous conference 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 AAPEX show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Watch this informative CarmCast on the benefits of getting involved
Automotive Communications Awards | Deadline to submit: September 11, 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.
Entry fees: $195 for first entry / $125 for each additional entry
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
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
Submit a Nomination
Deadline for submission extended until July 31, 2020.
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
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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.
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PRIZE: $5,000 Scholarship + Trip to 2019 AAPEX to be honored at the Woman in Auto Care Awards Ceremony & Reception
Apply for 2020
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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)
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GOLD ($7,000)
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SILVER ($5,000)
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BRONZE ($2,000)
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SUPPORTER (CONFERENCE SPONSORS)
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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