On the evening of June 2, following the Detroit Summit, the Women Automotive Network presented two awards at the 2026 AutoTech Awards: the Woman Automotive Leader of the Year and the People and Culture Excellence Award.

Above: Stephanie May, Community Director, Women Automotive Network, presenting at the 2026 AutoTech Awards.

The evening brought together leaders from across the automotive ecosystem for the annual AutoTech Awards ceremony and networking reception. We were proud to present two awards, recognising an individual and an organisation whose work is moving the industry forward in the areas that matter most.

Before the winners were announced, Edward Wilford spoke about the Detroit Summit. Having attended earlier that day, he reflected on a line from Yasmine King and Shalini Palmer's fireside conversation that had stayed with him: you have to get in the room.

"I had the privilege of attending the Women Automotive Network: Detroit Summit earlier today, which was just fantastic. Yasmine King and Shalini Palmer from Analog Devices were having a fireside chat, and the line that stuck with me is 'you have to get in the room'. And that's one reason why events like the Detroit Summit are so important. There is so much value in a room full of smart people who want to do things the right way, and where we can keep adding chairs and doorways to make sure the people who need to be here, who deserve to be here, can find a space."

Edward Wilford, host, 2026 AutoTech Awards

Woman Automotive Leader of the Year

This award celebrates an exceptional leader whose vision, influence, and achievements are shaping the future of the automotive industry. This year's shortlist included Juliana Monguilod (OP Mobility), Dania Ghantous (Qnovo), Kelly Harrison (Ford Motor Company), Teresa Thiele (Stellantis), and Alisha Bellezza (PPG).

Presenting the award, Stephanie May spoke to what set this year's recipient apart. She described a leader who had guided significant business growth during one of the most transformational periods in automotive history, and whose defining achievement had been championing an open industry standard for widely adopted automotive technology, a decision that prioritised collaboration over exclusivity and created stronger conditions for ecosystem-wide innovation.

Beyond technology, she was recognised for building high-performing teams, empowering leaders, and fostering a culture of accountability and shared ownership through periods of significant change.

Above: Yasmine King, Corporate Vice President, Head of Automotive Business Unit, Analog Devices, receiving the Woman Automotive Leader of the Year award.

The winner was Yasmine King, Corporate Vice President, Head of Automotive Business Unit at Analog Devices. Earlier that same day, Yasmine had been on the Detroit Summit main stage alongside Shalini Palmer for a fireside conversation about partnerships and collaboration across the industry. She responded to the recognition with the same spirit she had brought to that stage.

"I'm truly honoured to be recognised as Woman Automotive Leader of the Year by the Women Automotive Network among such exceptional leaders. For me, leadership has never been about having all the answers. It's about creating clarity and confidence in complexity, and helping others achieve more than they thought possible."

Yasmine King, Corporate Vice President, Head of Automotive Business Unit, Analog Devices

People and Culture Excellence Award

This award recognises a company demonstrating outstanding commitment to building an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing workplace. This year's shortlist included Analog Devices, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Leggett and Platt Automotive, and LKQ Corporation.

Presenting the award, Stephanie May described an organisation that had made people and culture a genuine strategic priority, investing in an employee resource group, leadership development, and mentorship initiatives, and creating an environment where employees feel connected and empowered to grow. As she put it: a strong culture is not just a workplace benefit. It is a business advantage that drives long-term success.

Above: Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co. KG receiving the People and Culture Excellence Award. Congratulations to Ashlie Ford and Courtney Carpineti.

The winner was Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co. KG. On accepting the award, Schaeffler's representative spoke directly to the years of sustained effort behind it.

"It's a true honour to be recognised for our efforts to drive culture and engagement within our organisation and all the work that our culture and engagement team have been doing the last several years, particularly in helping women through the organisation. It's been a long road, but we've done a lot of progress there as well."

Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co. KG

Thank You

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate, and to every individual and organisation who made it onto the shortlist this year. Recognition like this only means what it does because of the quality of the people in the room.

Woman Automotive Leader of the Year shortlist:

• Juliana Monguilod, BU HR Director, Exterior Americas, OP Mobility
• Dania Ghantous, Co-Founder and Head of Technology, Qnovo
• Yasmine King, Corporate Vice President, Head of Automotive Business Unit, Analog Devices
• Kelly Harrison, Senior Director of Manufacturing Learning and Workforce Development, Ford Motor Company
• Teresa Thiele, SVP, Direct Material Purchasing Body and Interior, Stellantis
• Alisha Bellezza, Senior Vice President, Automotive Coatings, PPG

People and Culture Excellence Award shortlist:

• Analog Devices
• LexisNexis Risk Solutions
• Leggett and Platt Automotive
• LKQ Corporation
• Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co. KG