Women's Industry Network Presents Most Influential Women Awards At Annual Conference

From BodyShop Business

The Most Influential Women in Collision Repair (MIW) Awards were presented to three women during a celebratory dinner in San Diego at the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) Conference.

The MIW Awards recognize women who have enriched the collision repair industry with their leadership, vision and commitment to excellence. Doug Holmberg, director of vehicle refinishes for AkzoNobel, formally
transitioned the MIW program to Margaret Knell, chair of WIN, by giving WIN a framed issue of AkzoNobel’s Profit Magazine with a commemorative note officially marking the transition. Profit Magazine has highlighted Most Influential Women honorees since the inception of the award.

This year’s honorees were:
* Frederica Carter, president of F. Carter Events LLC
* Jordan Hendler, executive director of the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association
* Leanne Jefferies, director of collision programs at AIA Canada

Each honoree was introduced by an industry peer and former MIW who nominated them for the award.

In a welcome message, Knell thanked those being honored as well as award recipients from prior years “for their visibility and ongoing example of Most Influential Women in the collision repair industry by their
leadership, vision and commitment to excellence – both in their professions and in their communities.”

She then recognized AkzoNobel for its vision and elevation of the societal issue of the advancement of women in the collision repair industry.

MIW has recognized more than 75 women for their professional accomplishments and for going beyond requirements of their positions to give back to their communities. Honorees have held positions in every facet of the collision repair industry, as shop owners, body and paint technicians, managers, wholesalers, lobbyists, suppliers, insurance adjusters, consultants, educators, editors and writers, and industry association directors.

“The Women’s Industry Network has, in a very short period of time, become a pillar association within the North American collision repair market,” said Holmberg. “It was both a pleasure and honor for AkzoNobel
to be part of the 2014 WIN Conference and formally transition the Most Influential Women in the collision repair Industry program from our stewardship to WIN for their continued mentoring. WIN will be able to advance MIW and create sustainable resources to the full benefit of the entire collision repair industry.”