No Products in the Cart
Nearly 500 attendees came together 8th October in Ludwigsburg at the Women Automotive Summit Europe to celebrate the leaders, innovators, rising stars and allies inspiring the automotive industry.
Hosted by the Women Automotive Network, these awards honoured individuals and organisations demonstrating exemplary leadership in fostering inclusion, equality, and diversity within their workplaces.
Congratulations to all those nominated, individuals and organisations making significant strides in promoting diversity, inclusion and innovation within the automotive industry.
Inspirational Role Model Award Winner – Anne-Kathrin Altendorf, HR Director, Porsche Cars GB Ltd
Recognising an individual with significant professional achievements who serves as a beacon of inspiration through integrity, performance, and mentorship. Anne-Kathrin Altendorf's infectious enthusiasm and dedication make her a standout role model. She laid the foundation for Bentley's Diversity Department and launched She@Porsche at Porsche UK, driving significant DE&I efforts.
Anne-Kathrin's open communication and team-focused leadership inspire her colleagues and advance diversity across the industry.
“Feeling very thankful and humbled for receiving the Inspiring Role Model Award by the Women Automotive Network. What an amazing summit and inspiring day it has been, connecting female leaders from all across the globe.”
Leadership Excellence in Diversity Award – Kathrin Renzm, VP, AWS Industries, Amazon Web Services
This award celebrates a leader who champions diversity and ensures equal opportunities for underrepresented communities. Kathrin Renz has driven a measurable cultural shift in the automotive sector, achieving higher female representation in top management and coaching future leaders.
Kathrin’s influence extends beyond her organization through external initiatives, and her policies are transforming the industry.
Rising Star Award – Kansal Banu, Project Leader, NXP Semiconductors
This award honors an individual aged 35 or younger who has made a significant impact in advancing DE&I. Kansal Banu, who moved from India to the Netherlands in 2020, has risen rapidly from engineer to project leader, managing teams of over 50 people.
She has spearheaded DE&I initiatives such as Women's Day and Girl's Day and mentors women restarting their careers. Her remarkable success, despite barriers in her conservative upbringing, is a true inspiration for future female engineers.
“I am truly humbled and grateful to be announced the winner of the 'Rising Star' award by the Women Automotive Network .I thank NXP Semiconductors for providing me with a platform to grow, both personally and professionally, and for inspiring fellow women in the industry.
This award is a testament to the industry's commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and innovation – values that have empowered me to find my voice and make a difference.”
Allyship Award – Alan Johnson, SVP, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, Nissan AMIEO
This award celebrates an individual who supports gender equality and creates inclusive workplaces. Alan Johnson leads by example, championing policies like job sharing and flexible work. His initiatives, including Unconscious Bias Training and participation in Regional Reverse Mentoring Programs, have made significant strides in fostering DE&I.
Commenting on the award recognition, Alan said, "I'm very proud to be receiving the Allyship Award not just for myself, but on behalf of Nissan as a whole. Across the AMIEO region, we want to create an environment where our employees feel valued and empowered. It's rewarding to see a range of DEI actions and initiatives implemented across the business that help turn our vision into a reality. We know there is still more work to do, and we're ready to push even further to expand our efforts."
Mentor of the Year Award – Oxana Grishina, Head of Future Retail and Transformation, Hyundai Motor UK
Oxana Grishina is recognized for her dedication to mentoring and supporting mentees since the first mentorship program in December 2021. She fosters a culture of continuous learning, contributing to the personal and professional development of those she guides.
“Having experienced the positive impact of mentoring firsthand, both as a mentee and a mentor, I encourage experienced professionals to engage in mentoring programs. It not only helps in advancing the gender equality agenda but also allows for sharing knowledge, gaining fresh perspectives, and fostering personal growth. This award serves as a reminder of the significance of mentorship in empowering the next generation of women in the automotive industry. Let's continue to inspire and support each other through mentorship, driving positive change and fostering inclusive workplaces.”
Global Impact in Diversity Award – Magna International
This award celebrates organizations that promote DE&I on a global scale. Magna International’s Women's eXchange (Wx) Employee Resource Community, launched in 2020, now has over 1,000 members. Wx has achieved measurable success with 600 mentorships, 30% annual growth, and increased female leadership representation.
The program's impact, including reduced turnover and improved succession planning, makes Magna International a deserving winner of this prestigious award.
Tanja Dobkowitz from Magna who accepted the award said: “A very special thanks goes to our visionary leadership team from our internal Women’s eXchange Programme, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in driving our diversity initiatives forward. Let us continue together to embrace and celebrate the power of diversity, as we strive towards a future where every individual is valued, included, and empowered.”
Outstanding Employee Network of the Year Award – Bosch - Heratec Associate Network
This award honors employee networks making significant contributions to equality and inclusion. Founded in 2011, Bosch’s Heratec Network supports women in technology and engineering, with 1,300 female members worldwide.
The network champions work-life balance, coaching for working mothers, and leadership development while connecting women across all levels. Their initiatives, including reverse mentoring for senior male leaders, exemplify the power of a thriving network to foster change.
Best DE&I Innovation Award – Jaguar Land Rover
Recognized for their groundbreaking "Level Up" and "Levelled Up" campaigns, Jaguar Land Rover tackled the “Broken Rung” phenomenon, which slows women’s advancement into leadership roles. Their initiatives have made job listings more inclusive and transparent, driving meaningful cultural change.
These campaigns not only increased gender equity in management but also fostered a culture of empowerment where every employee has equal opportunity to grow. Jaguar Land Rover’s innovative approach makes them a standout in the industry, and we are proud to honor their efforts.
Accepting the award and representing JLR were Claire Nealon, Erin Wootton, Jaime-Leigh Coggins and Emily Breen who commented: “we’re delighted that our Level Up campaign won the award for ✨Best DE&I Innovation✨ at the Women Automotive Network Europe Summit! This is such an amazing achievement for JLR ‘s Women in Engineering & Allies Network and reflective of the dedication of the whole team involved - all of whom do this work on top of their day jobs”
This year’s Women Automotive Awards weren’t just about handing out awards - it was about recognizing the people who are truly driving change. From trailblazing organizations to mentors guiding the next generation, these winners are the ones expanding what’s possible in the automotive industry. The Women Automotive Network celebrates these achievements and gives thanks to the impact each individual and organization has had in advancing diversity and inclusion in the automotive industry.
Our mission is to provide a platform for accelerating diversity discussion and inspiring change. Whilst offering unparalleled networking opportunities and support to achieve your best! Join our 40,000+ Network and get involved in our events, leadership interview series, mentorship program, job opportunities and much more.
For all enquiries, get in touch here
Links:
Women Automotive Network Homepage: https://womenautomotivenetwork.com/
2025 Events Schedule
https://womenautomotivenetwork.com/pages/events
Follow us on Socials to keep up to date with our activities
Newsletter | LinkedIn | Instagram | X
By Women Automotive Network As the Women Automotive Network,...
On October 29th, the Women Automotive Network hosted a compelling...
Nearly 500 attendees came together 8th October in Ludwigsburg at...
