Chicago Auto Present’s Sixth Annual ‘What Drives Her’ Networking Occasion and Awards Program To Be Held Feb. 10, Finalists Introduced
CHICAGO, Feb. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Chicago Auto Present organizers, in partnership with A Ladies Information to Vehicles and Girls in Automotive, are proud to announce the sixth annual What Drives Her networking occasion and awards program throughout the present’s Media Preview on Friday, Feb. 10 at McCormick Place.
As soon as once more bringing collectively influential girls within the automotive trade, this 12 months’s occasion will deal with the methods girls are main the cost within the electrical car (EV) revolution. As well as, the What Drives Her awards program will acknowledge females and advocates throughout the trade.
“It has been fantastic to see this occasion develop over the past six years and the way it continues to increase the popularity and consciousness we’re bringing to the highly effective girls who’re positively shaping the auto trade,” stated Kelly Webb Roberts, vice chairwomen of the Chicago Vehicle Commerce Affiliation, producer of the Chicago Auto Present.
“The sheer variety of award nominations and the number of folks nominated was beautiful this 12 months,” stated A Ladies Information to Vehicles Founder and What Drives Her Co-Founder Scotty Reiss. “It reveals that the trouble to convey new and numerous folks into the auto trade is a shared worth, and that there are a whole lot of actually nice folks main our trade.”
The occasion will open with a panel dialogue on the subject of ladies behind the EV revolution moderated by Vehicles.com’s VP, Vehicles Media Options, Julie Scott. Audio system on this panel will embody Chris Feuell, Chrysler model CEO; Kathy Gilbert, CDK World senior director, minority supplier and girls retail; Melissa Washington, ComEd SVP of buyer operations; and Linda White, BMW director of presidency and exterior affairs.
Occasion organizers reintroduced the What Drives Her awards to acknowledge and applaud excellent females and advocates within the trade. Nominations have been submitted from people throughout the trade starting from auto producers, suppliers, media and sellers. The panel of distinguished jurors are made up of feminine automotive journalists.
The finalists have now been chosen for the next classes.
Rising Star: Employed by an automaker, auto retailer or core automotive provider; job title no greater than vice chairman; works primarily in North America; she could also be notable for her empowerment of others, her breaking down of obstacles that permits others to comply with, her pursuit of non-traditional roles or jobs, her management, and taking over extra roles reminiscent of main an worker useful resource group or mentoring program.
Finalists:
Natasha Adams, mechanic, YouTube and Instagram influencer
Shauna Sichi, Normal Motors West Communications
Crystal Windham, government director, world industrial design, Normal Motors
Different nominees embody Sylvia Lopez-Navarro, nationwide supervisor, model expertise, company occasions and reveals, Kia America; and Shelley Pratt, director of selling communications and media, Infiniti USA.
Finest In Craft Media: Employed as a fulltime or parttime North American journalist, content material creator or media with a deal with the automotive trade; show basic excellence of craft; create work that illuminates the function of ladies within the automotive trade or, by way of voice and narrative, create extra accessible automotive info and extra inclusive automotive storytelling.
Finalists:
Emme Corridor, freelance
Elana Scherr, Automobile and Driver
Kristin Shaw, freelance
Different nominees embody Elizabeth Blackstock, Jalopnik, freelance author, creator; Teia Collier, Dallas Single Father or mother, freelance; Eileen Falkenburg-Hull, Newsweek; Lauren Repair, The Automobile Coach; Lillie Morales, author, photographer, Jersey Fashionista, Femme Drive, freelance; Elizabeth St. John, TheCarMom, TheCarPool Podcast; and Daybreak Thigpen-Gibson, Sassy Auto Chick, Femme Drive.
Automotive Ally: A brand new award for What Drives Her this 12 months, the Automotive Ally Award acknowledges a person who affords continuous help, teaching, advocacy, training and understanding, serving to to create alternatives for others as they construct their careers in automotive. This award is open to any government, chief, supervisor or different individual inside or outdoors the automotive trade and displays the impression that this individual has on the trade, for each people and organizations.
Finalists:
Emily Miller, founder, Rebelle Rally
Jennifer Newman, editor-in-chief, Vehicles.com
Wendy Orthman, government director, advertising, Genesis
Different nominees embody Nena Barlow, founder, Barlow Adventures; Elgie Vibrant, chair, automotive advertising and administration, Northwood College; Dean Case, communications marketing consultant, Motivo Engineering; Julie Conlin, senior content material and communications specialist, Continental Tire; Deborah Grieb, market analysis supervisor, AutoPacific; Cheryl Thompson, CEO and founder, Heart for Automotive Variety, Inclusion and Development; Nicole Santana, account director, The Axis Company; and Sabrina Yuan, VP technique, Cariad by VW.
Finest Retailer: Employed by a Chicago-area dealership, this individual demonstrates a excessive stage of dedication and drive to any activity at hand, whether or not that is in gross sales, service or technical help.
Finalists:
Gabrielle Abinion, basic supervisor, Fox Valley Volkswagen
Soledad Romero, retailer supervisor, Romeoville Toyota
Carly Weck, finance supervisor, Elgin Kia
Different nominees embody Christina Baker, supplier associate, Rod Baker Ford; Linda Jacobs, supplier principal, Invoice Jacobs Motorsport; Tina Pade, controller, Arlington Toyota; and Danielle West, HR director/operations supervisor, Fox Valley Volkswagen Buick-GMC.
The awards will likely be offered throughout the Chicago Auto Present’s Media Preview throughout a pastry and occasional reception the morning of Friday, Feb. 10 from 8-9:30 a.m. on the primary stage within the Grand Concourse foyer, simply outdoors of the North Corridor. Pre-registration for What Drives Her on Friday, Feb. 10 is required. Please click on right here to register. Attendees are inspired to make use of occasion hashtag #WhatDrivesHer when posting on social media.
The What Drives Her program and awards will likely be livestreamed, courtesy of Reuters Occasions Automotive. You possibly can watch reside at this hyperlink: https://occasions.reutersevents.com/automotive/Chicago.
Occasion sponsors embody Vehicles.com and CDK World.
For extra info on the 2023 Chicago Auto Present, go to http://www.ChicagoAutoShow.com. Media can go to http://www.ChicagoAutoShow.com/media for extra info or to register for media credentials.
Concerning the Chicago Auto Present
First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Present is the nation’s longest working auto exposition in North America. The present is produced by the Chicagoland’s new-car supplier affiliation, the Chicago Vehicle Commerce Affiliation, which has staged the present since 1935. The 2023 public present is Feb. 11-20 at McCormick Place. For extra info and the newest updates, go to ChicagoAutoShow.com or Fb.com/ChicagoAutoShow.com.
Concerning the Chicago Vehicle Commerce Affiliation
Based in 1904 and situated in Oakbrook Terrace, the Chicago Vehicle Commerce Affiliation is comprised of greater than 400 franchised new-car sellers and an extra 150 allied members. The group’s supplier members make use of about 19,000 folks within the metropolitan space. The affiliation has produced the world well-known Chicago Auto Present since 1935. For extra info, please go to www.CATA.data.
SOURCE Chicago Auto Present
