Women with Drive

Greetings AWAF Members, 

I have always considered the months of November and December to be perfect for giving thanks and reflecting on the year and looking forward to the year to come! 

As I look back at the year that 2023 was, I could not be prouder of the AWAF board and what we have accomplished together! I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to our rockstar board for your time, ideas and most importantly your commitment to help advance and advocate for women in our industry.

As an organization, 2023 has been a year where we have seen renewed and continued commitment from our corporate partners and members towards our mission: to advance and empower every woman in automotive and related industries. This is apparent in our growth in membership (an all-time high!), event attendance (mostly sold-out events), online presence (all time high number of followers on LinkedIn), showcase of our board/members, record scholarships to collegiate women ($600k awarded so far) and strong financials (revenue, net income and spend on programs / scholarships). 

2023 has also been a year of changes and pivots. It started with our renewed mission, vision, and approach in Q1 which was reflected in our first ever sold-out Professional Development conference in May and our rebranded “Step into Power” Fall event. To further our mission, as we look forward into 2024, we will reorganize and revamp our key offerings in the programs, coaching, mentoring areas to ensure women in all phases of their careers are supported by AWAF.

2024 like the past three years will continue to be an era of transformation and challenges. It makes it even more important than ever to leverage talent from every demographic to resolve the challenges in an innovative way so we can succeed as an industry.

AWAF is determined to be making the automotive and related industries equitable and attractive for women to enter and thrive. But we cannot do it without the crucial support of our members, corporate partners, and allies. We invite all of you to join hands with us in 2024 & beyond to continue to make progress. TOGETHER WE CAN GO FARTHER!

As I stated at the outset of the newsletter, with a strong and determined board and committee members, I am excited and honored to lead an organization like AWAF and excited for what we can accomplish for the women in the mobility space. 

I wish you all a very safe and enjoyable holiday season! I look forward to seeing you all at another AWAF event soon. 

Stay safe & have a fun filled winter!

Best,
Ashwini Balasubramanian
President, AWAF

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Save The Date For These Upcoming Events

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Past Event Highlights

AWAF hosted six programs from June 2023 to December 2023

On June 21, 2023, Dr. Bell, Executive Vice President, Product Creation, Engineering and Supply Chain, Lordstown Motors, will share strategies that has helped her in her career shared tips that helped her through her career journey.  Special thank you to Lawrence Technological University for support of this program. View photos from the event.

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On July 12, 2023, AWAF and Women in Manufacturing Detroit Chapter came together to host Headshots & Happy Hour at Madonna University. Nearly 50 women enjoyed appetizers and were able to get a new headshot. Thank you to Metallon for supporting this program.

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On September 26, 2023 the professional development program Discovering your Defining Moments was held at the Michigan by the Bottle Tasting Room. Read some key takeaways that the presenter Charon Morgan, vice president, engineering, Autoliv and the moderator, Marley Devergilio, account manager, Neapco.  shared. 

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On October 25, 2023, Jacklyn Watt – Global Director Supply Chain Interior & Exterior, Ford Motor Company spoke about her career path and lessons learned. Read the five lessons she has learned in her career. Special thank you to Hour Media, FANUC and S&P Global Mobility for support of this program. View photos from the event.

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On November 17, Jan Griffiths, president and founder, Gravitas Detroit and Anne Partington, Managing Director, Taubuer Institute for Global Operations, gave a one-hour virtual workshop to help attendees accelerate their public speaking skills and leadership presence. Listen to Public Speaking with Pizzazz!   

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Our last program of the year took place on December 5th at Schoolcraft College. Over 100 people attend AWAF's Annual Holiday Affair where we celebrated the AWAF Award Recipients, and six more scholarship recipients and were inspired by Mary Buchzeiger, CEO, Lucerne International.  Read about some of the suggestions Mary provided on building resistance and discipline in challenging time. Special thank you to Lucerne International and S&P Global Mobility for their support of this program. View photos of the event.

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Swinging "Fore" Scholarships Golf Outing

AWAF had another beautiful day for itsAnnual Swinging "Fore" Scholarships golf outing that took place on August 23, 2023 at Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center.  Congratulations to the following Team winners:
Men's Team: Scott Crowton, Marc Castro, Nicolas Ottenbacher
Women's Team: Judy Asher, Cindy Swiantek, Karen Pickering, Lisa Lilly
Mixed Team: Colby Nate, Austin Cain, Nathan Merchant, Caitlin Glenn

This annual golf outing raises funds for AWAF's Scholarship and STEM programs. Check out the photos from this year's outing.

We are truly grateful for this year's golf outing sponsors.

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Membership Corner

Welcome New Board Members

Four members will be joining the board as new board of directors in 2024.
Dawn Rowley, BenchStrength Coaching, Coaching co-chair
Colleen Thompson, BridgeBuilding Strategies, Coaching co-chair
Maya Malkhouf, Ford Motor Company, STEM co-chair
Carolyn Sauer, Schaltbau North America, Scholarship co-chair

AWAF Member Appointed to Business Regulatory Fairness Board 

K-Tec Systems CEO & President, Catherine Koch, has been appointed to the U.S. Small Business Administration Business Regulatory Fairness Board. Cathy will serve as a representative of the small business community until the term expires in September 2026.

The SBA Office of the National Ombudsman hosts regulatory fairness hearings and roundtables across the country. It relies upon the Boards to provide independent advice and recommendations regarding unfair, excessive regulatory enforcement and compliance actions taken by federal regulators that impact America’s small businesses.

Abby Hempy National SHEro Honoree

Women In Motorsports North America (WIMNA) selected AWAF member Abby Hempy as the national winner for the SHEro Award. This award program recognizes and celebrates outstanding women in the motorsports industry. AWAF nominated the former AWAF scholarship recipient.  More information on the award:  SHERO - Women in Motorsports North America (womeninmotorsportsna.com) Abby was honored at the Women With Drive III Summit November 7-8, 2023 in Avondale, AZ.

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Editorial

By Kim Ziomek, President Emerita/Ex-Officio to the AWAF President

Happy Holidays, I am so proud of the AWAF board and their accomplishments during the past year.  AWAF continues to be a successful, financially sound and professionally run 501c3.  Every single board member is so passionate about the mission, vision and goals of the organization even though the majority of the board have full-time jobs. 

I continue to be amazed at all the women who volunteer their time to support AWAF and add value to bring speakers for “must attend” programs, Corporate sponsors who are so generous, solicit mentors & coaches to support the programs and ultimately, award scholarships which promote women to enter into or continue their education in the mobility pipeline.

In 2001, AWAF was formed, and I cannot believe we have succeeded for 22 years to promote women in automotive with our amazing teams of women on the board of directors.  In 2024, there will be new board members joining the team and once again, AWAF will continue to bring value to being a member.  I am so very proud of all the women who have and continue to support AWAF and all of its activities.

I challenge all the members and the board to continue to bring ideas, suggestions and promote the value of AWAF to others who need to be a part of this wonderful organization. 

For our 2024 Board, I welcome you, will offer any support needed to ensure that your tenure is successful and brings you happiness in both your personal and professional life. 

If you know of someone who wishes to see or says why become a member, I offer the below reasons.

7 reasons to be an AWAF Member

1. Ability to meet and greet other professionals that you would not normally meet in their everyday business.
2. Broad-based of membership from all mobility and supporting supply base.
3. Opportunities to attend professional industry events (CAR, OESA, other) complimentary or at a reduced cost.
4. Build a professional network to add value to your career journey.
5. Attending programs that feature the most prominent keynote speakers in the mobility industry.
6. Gain recognition in the industry by joining the AWAF Board and supporting committee leadership actions.
7. Support of young women seeking to develop the skills required to work in the mobility industry through scholarship, mentoring, and coaching opportunities.

Wish you health, happiness, and much success for 2024 and cannot wait to see you at a future event with AWAF. Hugs, Love, Love, Love to all of you.

Kim

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Industry News

Martinrea Receives 2023 CADIA Impact Award

Martinrea is excited to announce its recognition as a recipient of the 2023 CADIA Impact Awards. The company received overall recognition in the category of Systemic Change, and Deanna Lorincz, Global Director, Communications and Marketing, was recognized in the category of Leadership Commitment.

Martinrea values Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) recognizing the significance of diverse skills and perspectives. The company's DEI Steering Committee, led by Pat D’Eramo, President and CEO, has been instrumental in advancing and driving DEI goals throughout the organization. Martinrea over the past few years has successfully implemented various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), including Women at Martinrea (W@M), Young Professionals (YoPro) and Mental Health (MindsMatter). These resource groups provide employees with the opportunity to further expand on their professional growth, mentorship and community support. Martinrea’s commitment to implementing DEI extends globally, through efforts including accommodating individuals with disabilities, providing language support for immigrant employees, employing unhoused individuals and offering opportunities to refugees.

Deanna serves as a leader for Martinrea’s global DEI and has been pivotal in the company's DEI implementation. Through Deanna’s leadership and dedication, Martinrea has experienced continuous growth in initiatives encompassing awareness and engagement, opportunities in manufacturing, training and education and compliance. Deanna championed the successful development and launch of Martinrea’s ERGs and she continues to actively support these groups by volunteering across eight committees and 12 subcommittees. Deanna has increased the company’s involvement and partnership with external DEI organizations, this has promoted ongoing learning throughout our global team which has fostered a deeper understanding of DEI principles. This collective effort has not only earned external recognition but has also cultivated a company culture that deeply values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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Scholarship Recipients

The following scholarships have been awarded between April 2023 and December 2023

Riley Sophia Fray	Shreya Sapkal	Alexandra Nikitin

Morgan Main	Sydney Koss	Dalena Nguyen
Cecilia Duda	Abigail Pinch	Milena Pukalo
Sloane Miller	Alayna Wanless	Takiyah Ali
Arisa Chue	Samantha Kneebone	Carolyn Levine
Lucy Kwak	Katrina Gilbank	Tanisha Francis
Trevor Gardner

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Thank you to Our Sponsors

2023 CORPORATE SPONSORS

Higher Learning Endorser Sponsor

Charging Forward Sponsor

Accelerator Sponsor

Adpative Cruise Sponsor

Driving Change Sponsor

Become a sponsor go here

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Welcome New Members

Priya Ahilan, Harman International	Summer Aldred, CADIA	Zereen Ali, Martinrea International US Inc.
Kimberly Andrews, Magna	Jeanette Anesi-Brombach,Adient	Michelle Anschuetz, Accenture
Denise Aquino, General Motors	Nora Arellano, Toyota Motor NA R&D	Tarshena Armstrong, General Motors
Ryan Arnold, Automotive Hall of Fame	Tara Aznavorian, Clips & Clamps Industries	Claudette Bashi, Nemak
Erica Bell, Mobex Global	Sam Bennett, McNaughton-McKay Electric Company	Tazma Brents, Automotive Hall of Fame
Michelle Chan, Magna	Kelly Collins, Aquent	Kiersten Cook, student
Jim Cook, Anaplan	Sarah Cook, Automotive Hall of Fame	Cathy Coon
Marta Corvaglia, Martinrea International US Inc.	Christina Crawford, Magna	Veronica Cruz, Alpha USA
Katie Cser, ICAT Logistics Detroit	Miya Dubler, NASCAR	Jennifer Ecclestone, Magna
Jodi Ellsworth, Magna	Jessica Freeland, Automotive Training Center	Tamie Gaitan, Magna
Stacie Gergely, LER Techforce	Julia Glenn, Magna Exteriors	Micha Goebig, Go Big Coaching & Communications, LLC
Angela Guo, Magna	Rachel Handbury, Martinrea International US Inc.	Jennifer Harding, CADIA
Julia Hawley, Ford Motor Company	Savanna Hinsperger, LaFontaine Automtive Group	Heather Holm, Magna International
Jon Husby, ADAC Automotive	Eric Jacuzzi, NASCAR	Willa Jiang, Deloitte Tax LLP
Mauri Johnson, Magna	Jaime Jones, Magna	Cynthia Jones, The Henry Ford
Shruti Karbhari, Magna	Kristina Karschnia, Ford Motor Company	Nicole Kelly, Ford Motor Company
Ella Kleemeier, Student	Nicole Kudialis, Magna	Kennedy Kullman, Student
Dorothee Kurian, Garrett Motion	Lorraine Langley, Martinrea International US Inc.	Kirsten Larkin, McCord's Vancouver Toyota
Carolyn Law, Tenneco	Lisa Linna, Robert Bosch	Gina Liss, Martinrea International US Inc.
Deanna Lorincz, Martinrea International US Inc.	Morgan Main, Redviking	Lenita Martinoff, Magna
Cortlandt McCall, Magna	Audrey Mckinley, Auto Network Consulting Inc.	David McShane, Autotech Ventures
Katie Merx, Lambert	Sloan Miller, Student	Morgan Modrak, Student
Najaf Mooraj, Student	Jenna Mosser, Champion Automotive	Cheryl Mozdzen, Magna
Della Mueller, Budget Auto Sales Inc.	Adrienne Myrand, McNaughton-McKay Electric Company	Vijaya Neela, aThingz
Hope Nickerson, Magna	Melanie Olson, Anaplan	Jocelyn Paslowski, Ansys, Inc.
Karen Patton, Magna	Tanya Pecarich, RK Logistics	John Probst, NASCAR
Shantha Kumari Rajendran, General Motors	Jessica Reimink, Magna	Chastity Renner, Revolution Transport
Dawn Rowley, BenchStrength Coaching	Samantha Russo, DFM Solutions	Shreya Sapkal, Student
Amy Schaden, Magna	Jessica Scherr, Magna	Catherine Scott, Monolithic Power Systems
Lisa Sheth, Ford Motor Company	Sandi Siegenthaler, MAHLE	Heather Speier, Ford Motor Company
Courtney Starnes, Stocko Contact	Hala Stevens, Magna	Cindy Swiantek, Softtek
Brandon Thomas, NASCAR	Yao Wang, Magna	Alexandra Warren, Shell Recharge Solutions
Carol Weber, McNaughton-McKay Electric Company	Erin Wendt, McNaughton-McKay Electric Company	Rejenar Whitfield, Magna
Jennifer Widrick, General Motors	Angelica Willard, FourSeasonsMedia/willardpost.com	Lena Yang, Magna
Anjali Zope, Student

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Our Gold Members

Thank you to our Gold Members

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Housekeeping Items & Friendly Reminders

If your membership is up for renewal, please visit our website, log-in and renew today! We guarantee you will not want to miss any of these upcoming events!

• Please remember to keep your member profile up-to-date on the AWAF website - adding your profile picture and ensuring your company name is up to date! 

• Please visit our website to keep an eye on the news section for more opportunities and events.

• We'd love to hear from you. Let's engage on social! Don’t forget to “Join”, “Like” and “Share” on AWAF’s social media pages

We’d like to thank all of our Committee Members who ensure our programs are successful.

If you‘d like to join a committee, please email us at [email protected]. If you have
suggestions for the newsletter, please reach out to your AWAF Board Marketing Co-Chair
Patricia Price [email protected]

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