Olivia Newton - aftermarketNews

2020 Honoree

Olivia Newton

Director of Category Management & Customer Insights
Standard Motor Products

When Olivia Newton began her career in high-end consumer products, little did she know she would eventually end up falling in love with the aftermarket.

“Honestly, I had applied to a blind posting. The job sounded really interesting, getting a chance to work with big retailers and customers,” she says. “I really didn’t know anything about the aftermarket, but here I am 10 years later. I totally understand why people come to this industry and don’t leave. This is like a home for a lot of folks, but not everyone knows about it.”

Newton’s passion for the industry has led to the role of chair of Women in Auto Care, which she stepped into this past February. It is “a tremendous honor and responsibility,” Newton says. “I’m very proud to help expand our reach, represent women in the industry and continue that legacy of supporting and empowering women across the board.”

Like many of the women featured here, Newton says getting, and becoming a mentor, is vitally important. In fact, Women in Auto Care just started a new mentoring program, called eMentorConnect.

“I’ve been so fortunate to have incredible mentors within our company and really great role models to be able to emulate and look up to,” she says. “I know that’s not the case for everyone. We’re trying to make sure that that opportunity is available everywhere because it really makes the difference.”