Women Automotive Summit: EUROPE

6 October 2026, Forum am Schlosspark, Stuttgart, Germany

Explore the 2026 Agenda

7:50 - 08:45

Registration and Coffee

08:10 - 08:50

Morning Masterclasses: Leadership, Mindfulness & AI

Kick your day off with intention and purpose
  1. 1) AI Masterclass: AI Readiness is the new executive superskill.
    To lead the automotive industry of 2026, you don't just need to understand the tools - you need the audacity to use them to claim your space and redefine the road ahead. Join this interactive session and ensure you have the edge.
    Stefanie Schieber
    Industry Leader Automotive & Mobility
    Google
    Alissa Rabe
    Senior Industry Manager Automotive
    Google
  2. 2) Mindfulness Soundbath Masterclass: Start your day with intention, presence and clarity.
    Through guided breathwork and a sound journey, we invite participants to move inward, regulate the nervous system and reconnect with the field beneath performance.
    Melis Ünver
    Inner Expansion & Culture Transformation Expert
    yinwards
  3. 3) Leadership Masterclass: Lead with Vision.
    Most leaders navigate brilliantly on someone else's map and forget to draw their own. This masterclass hands you the pen. Through visualisation, the most precise form of self-leadership, you'll stop running on pressure and start being pulled by a vivid leadership vision being ready to act.
    Mia Papo
    Founder & Leadership Trainer
    Lead with Vision
08:50 - 9:00

Welcoming Remarks

Stephanie May
Director
Women Automotive Network
09:00 - 9:10

Chair's Welcome & Ice-Breaker Session

Keren Pickard
Certified Courage Coach and Trainer
09:10 - 09:30

Inspirational Role Model Interview

Barbara Burghardt
SVP Human Resources Senior Executives
BMW Group
09:30 - 10:20

Leading with Intent: The Skills, Mindsets and Alliances That Will Define the Next Generation of Automotive Leaders

The future of automotive leadership is not just about technical expertise, it is about human capabilities. This panel brings together leaders from OEMs, suppliers and technology leaders to explore what future leaders must build in themselves, how inclusive leadership creates competitive advantage, and why the alliances we form, across generations, functions and genders, will shape who gets to lead the industry.
Julia Grab
Chief Strategist & Planner, European Passenger Vehicles
Ford Motor Company
Christian Wilz
CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks Germany
Daimler Truck
Annick Jourdenais
Managing Director
LKQ SYNETIQ
Ioana Ogreanu
Managing Director
Vodafone IoT Germany
Moderator: Dr. Monica Schmickler
Senior Advisor, University Lecturer
10:20 - 11:00

Networking Coffee Break

11:00 - 11:20

It's Not Just Faster Development Time: The Success Factors of High-Performing Chinese Players

Sophie D’Herbomez
Senior Vice President
AlixPartners
11:20 - 12:00

‘Says Who? Get behind the hybrid headlines.’ A candid conversation that cuts through the headlines to explore the future role of hybrids

The assumptions behind electrification have not changed, but the realities have. The Middle East crisis, energy security concerns, changing fuel economics and a slower pace of EV adoption have reinforced the need for a more pragmatic approach to electrification. Rather than a choice between EVs and hybrids, is the industry increasingly embracing a multi-powertrain future, where hybrids, plug-in hybrids, range extenders and EVs all have a vital role to play – lets discuss.
Erasmo Viola
VP Strategic Partnerships
Castrol
Shwetha Surender
VP Head of Automotive
MarketsandMarkets™
Moderator: Ruchi Kaushal
Global Account Director - European OEMs
Castrol
12:00 - 12:30

Regionalized to Compete: Building a Resilient Mobility Supply Chain

The industry is in the midst of major transformation. The pace is speeding up. New entrants are coming to market. It’s requiring new ways of thinking and working, and collaboration, speed and agility are becoming more important than ever to come up with innovative ideas that can help the industry stay competitive. How important is collaboration across the supply chain right now, and what unique role can female leadership play?
Moderator: Melanie Schuttenberg
Board Member
TAJCO
Esther Quintanilla Lujan
Global Mobility Marketing Director
Dow
Saba Azizi
Overseas Service Network & Development Manager EMEA
CATL
Julie Meyssonnier
Head of Supply Chain Projects & Network
Toyota Motor Europe
12:30 - 12:40

Stand, Connect, Lunch: Find Your Table

Participate in a dynamic networking activity designed to connect you with attendees who have shared interests and goals - making every lunch table a hub for meaningful conversation.
12:40 - 13:50

Lunch

13:50 - 14:50

Workshops* (For in-person attendees only)

At this year's event, there will be one interative session in the main conference room, with further more intimate discussions running in parallel. In-person attendees will need to select one workshop to join. There will be a separate workshop for online attendees.
  1. 1) Main Conference: From Contacts to Influence - How to build a network that actually works for you, and others
    Stefanie Schieber
    Industry Leader Automotive & Mobility
    Google
    Alissa Rabe
    Senior Industry Manager Automotive
    Google
    Stephanie May
    Community Director
    Women Automotive Network
  2. 2) Topic TBC, reserved for Castrol
    Carrie Schreiner
    F1 Academy Mentor
    Audi Revolut F1 Team
    Christopher Turner
    Motorsport Technology Manager
    Castrol
    James Newton-Savage
    Expert Technologist
    Castrol
  3. 3) Pole Position: Accelerating Time to Market in Automotive
    Birgit Adrion
    VP Global Services & Solutions North West Europe
    HP
    Natalie Meinl
    Director Global Services & Solutions North West Europe
    HP
  4. 4) High-Impact Careers, Shared Success: Job Sharing in Practice
    Anna Miller
    HR Director Strategy and Steering
    Robert Bosch GmbH
    Xenia Wurm
    HR Director Strategy and Steering
    Robert Bosch GmbH
  5. 5) Topic TBC
    Speaker TBC
  6. 6) Driving growth through the convergence of automotive, energy, and technology (invite only)
    Fiona Howarth
    Founder & Director
    Octopus Electric Vehicles
  7. Online Workshop: The Moment The Room Looks to You - Leading without Over Explaining
    Donna Bell
    Executive Identity Expert and Founder
    The Executive Table™

Interested in hosting a private session on a topic of your choice, with a selected number of attendees? Contact: Team@WomenAutomotive.com

14:50 - 15:25

Networking Coffee Break

15:25 - 16:10

Industry Collaboration in Practice: Scaling Innovation Across the Automotive Ecosystem

No one can innovate fast enough alone. As Chinese competitors redefine customer expectations, software redefines the vehicle, and AI amplifies every gap in the system, the winners will be the ones who build the strongest ecosystem, not just the best technology. OEMs, retailers and technology partners must now operate as one connected network, across the entire customer journey.
Moderator: Ian Plummer
Chief Customer Officer
AutoTrader
Nina Roeck
VP Software Drive & Comfort
Renault Group
Hélène Lanssens
Senior VP Global Partnerships
Nextlane
Danielly Cortes
Global Vice President Cooperations & Business Development, Commercial Vehicles BU
Stellantis
Melanie Lane
CEO
POD
 16:10 - 17:00

Closing Panel: Ask Me Anything?

A highly interactive open floor session, closing the day bringing the room together for an honest, energetic discussion, shaped entirely by the audience. The panellists will take questions live, offering candid, on-the-spot perspectives from a diverse group of industry experts.
Barbara Frenkel
Former Board Member Porsche AG, Procurement Supervisory Board Member
Katherine Zachary
Vice President International Communications
Nissan
Laura Rathai
VP Marketing
Hyundai Motor Europe
Joachim Langenwalter
Board Member, Executive Advisor & Investor
Automotive & AI
Kristin Harder
Marketing Director Europe
Changan Europe
Moderator: Daveena Saranna
B2B YouTube Channel Manager
Autotrader
17:00

Chair's Closing Speech

Keren Pickard
Certified Courage Coach and Trainer
17:15 - 17:45

Networking Cocktail Reception

Join us for a fantastic evening of celebration and networking at our Awards & Cocktail Reception. 🎉🥂
17:45

Executive Ambassador Programme Announcement

17:45 - 19:00

Awards Ceremony

Let's recognise together the remarkable achievements of industry leaders and individuals. 🌟
View the shortlisted individuals and companies here

TICKET OPTIONS

IN-PERSON PASS

The full Summit experience, live in the room

  • Full access to all talks,panels, and workshops
  • Network face to face with speakers, mentors, and decision makers
  • Awards & Cocktail Reception
  • Lunch, coffee, drinks, and snacks included
  • Post‑event video recordings
€749,00 €990,00
ENDS SEPTEMBER 25

INDUSTRY PASS

Exclusive rate for OEMs and Tier 1 & 2 suppliers

  • Full access to everything included in the In-Person Pass
  • Network and engage with the global automotive ecosystem

Verified employees of OEMs and Tier 1 & 2 suppliers only. We reserve the right to cancel passes that do not meet this criteria.

€549,00 €799,00
ENDS SEPTEMBER 25

ONLINE PASS

Join live from anywhere in the world

  • Livestream of all keynote talks & panel discussions
  • Join a dedicated online workshop
  • Engage in live polls, Q&A and chat
  • Make new connections via our 1: 1 networking tool
  • Post-event video recordings
€39,00 €99,00
ENDS SEPTEMBER 25
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