2022 Honoree

What is the proudest accomplishment of your career, thus far?

The proudest accomplishment of my career has been leading the Mevotech marketing team and accelerating the growth and expertise of the department. Building upon Mevotech’s solid marketing foundation, I’ve headed a keen and creative team to greatly expand our reach, increase our output, optimize our digital and social presence, and grow the profile of this aftermarket company that more than 600 employees rely on.

Over the past two years we have overhauled our website with upgraded content and improved searchability. We also realigned and redefined our brands to help our customers make better informed choices. We introduced Mevotech’s Virtual Training Portal and built a comprehensive content library of videos, bulletins, articles, flyers and more, to educate our customers on everything from installation best practices to the benefits of our products and what makes Mevotech and our people unique. We have a lot of knowledge and personality in this company, and I want to ensure our technical expertise, aftermarket know-how, unique culture and pride in our products all come through in our marketing.

I also want to ensure my team and I take the time to learn from the industry and grow with it, as well as expand our general marketing knowledge from the outside. So, we regularly participate in skills training, learning workshops and other knowledge-building activities.

What is your best advice to other women who want to excel in the automotive aftermarket? What is one thing the industry could do better or do differently to support women in the aftermarket?

The best advice I could give to other women in the automotive aftermarket is to become involved. In my more than 20 years of work experience, I have never met a more passionate, authentic, supportive group of women who genuinely want to empower other women to thrive, than I have in this industry. In most aftermarket organizations, women remain significantly underrepresented. This makes it hard to find other women within your organization to connect with. By getting involved in the industry, you instantly expand your network of amazing, talented women, who are no more than a phone call away, to offer advice, listen to an idea or share an experience.

Companies need to continue to create an inclusive workplace culture where both women and men have equal opportunities for growth and advancement.

What do you believe are some of the most important skillsets to excel in a career in the aftermarket today?

The aftermarket is a growing industry. I believe to thrive you need to be agile, innovative, tenacious and above all, passionate. Being able to adapt and find innovative solutions to the ever-changing and growing business will be key to success. Whether it’s new solutions, products or new go-to-market strategies, the ability to pivot and adjust to customer needs while staying grounded in the company’s core values will be critical. However, I believe that passion is what will really allow you to excel. I have never met a more passionate group, from the employees at Mevotech to our customers, there is a common thread that I can’t quite put into words.

Are there any ways that you have personally mentored women to further their careers in the automotive aftermarket?

I piloted Mevotech’s Women’s Network in 2021 to bring together women at Mevotech who are collectively committed to building empowered leaders through learning, mentorship and shared experiences. We are proud to be a community, a place where our members come to grow their careers, find their tribe, confront their challenges, and learn from each other. In 2021, we held three virtual events focused on learning about leadership styles and skills. This year we plan to expand the program to include new elements. I have also hired and mentored women on my team from outside the industry, sharing my great passion and pride for an innovative business they may not otherwise have thought to explore.