Women Automotive Summit: DETROIT

June 2025, Detroit

THE 2025 EVENT IS COMING!

Want to speak or promote your brand to top decision-makers in the automotive industry? Contact us at hello@womenautomotive.com for speaking and sponsorship opportunities or book a call here.
.

PREVIOUS DETROIT AGENDA

08:15 - 09:00

Registration & Coffee

8:30 - 9:10

Networking for Introverts

*There are limited spaces available on the workshop
Stephanie Thoma
Leadership Coach
Holistic Ambition
9:15 - 9:25

Chair's Welcome

Ana Lovera
Founder
Sourcing Values Inc
9:25 - 9:50

Empowering Leadership: Cultivating a Resilient Workforce

Addressing challenges faced by women in the industry, the discussion will provide actionable insights for cultivating resilience, and leadership skills and fostering a supportive network.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
● Resilient Leadership: Overcoming Challenges and Breaking Barriers.
● Building a Strong Support System for Women in Automotive.
● Implementing Strategies for Sustainable Change.
Meshell R Baker
Chief Confidence Igniter
9:50 - 10:15

On-stage Interview: Driving Excellence

Join us for this on-stage interview with Claudia Marquez, where she will share her journey to success in the competitive auto industry
Claudia Marquez
Chief Operating Officer
Genesis Motor North America
Lucy Franklin
Diversity & Transformation Director
Wenham Carter
10:15 - 10:40

On-stage Interview:The importance of internal networks - lessons learnt and best practices

The importance of internal networks - lessons learnt and best practices
Stephen Livingston
Co-Chair - Global Women of Ford & Chief Ally
Ford Motor Company
Rima Ghafari Jasser
Global Chair - Women of Ford
Ford Motor Company
Stephanie May
Director
Women Automotive Network
10:40 - 11:20

Networking Coffee Break

This is the perfect opportunity to expand your network, exchange ideas, and find inspiration from like-minded professionals.
11:20 - 12:20

Roundtable workshops

Guaranteeing a great interactive atmosphere and in-depth conversations for an hour with different hosts! Take your pick... Which session will you join, as you can only choose one!
  1. Don’t Lose Your Dinosaur: How to Personally Serve Your Professional Purpose
    Chelsea Scally
    Associate Director of Mobility
    S&P Global Mobility
  2. "Insight & Inspiration: 10 leading voices on the present and future of advancing women in automotive"
    Lucy Franklin
    Diversity & Transformation Director
    Wenham Carter
  3. "Changing Gears: Strategies for Women to Lead with Confidence in the Auto Industry"
    Micha Goebig
    CEO
    Go Big Coaching & Communications LLC
  4. "How to Prevent the Extinction of Automotive Brand Loyalty & Increase Customer Retention"
    Tianna Mick
    Chief Marketing Officer
    Dealer Synergy
  5. "10 Easy Steps to Beat Performance Review Bias"
    Giselle Galper
    Founder
    Chea Seed Inc
  6. "Unleashing Your Inner Potential: Harnessing the Power of the Female Brain"
    Julie Anderson
    Owner CEO
    Your Best Mind LLC
  7. "Dare to be Different? Unleash your Feminine Superpowers Professionally and Personally to Drive Growth in all areas of your Life"
    Gail Rubinstein
    Founder & CEO
    Retail Resilient
  8. "Resilience Revolution: Strength in Adversity"
    Meshell R Baker
    Chief Confidence Igniter
  9. Mastering the Juggle: The Secret to Fulfillment as a Working Mom, Community Leader, and Tech Pioneer
    Priya Gurumurthy
    Director IT
    Yanfeng International
  10. "The Connection Capital: Enhancing Your Career Through Strategic Relationships"
    Ana Lovera
    Founder
    Sourcing Values Inc.
  11. Tell a good story, starting with your own: How to influence the narrative of your career in automotive
    Caroline Trudeau
    Storyteller, Strategist and Senior Industry Advisor
  12. From Engineer to Leader: Charting your Own Course
    Sharmishta Roy
    Software Engineering Leader
    Ford Motor Company
12:20 - 13:45

Networking Lunch Break

13:45 - 14:05

The Future of Auto and of Women in Auto: Insights from the AlixPartners Disruption Index™ and Beyond

Yvette Zhang
Director Automotive & Industrial Practice
AlixPartners LLP
14:05 - 14:30

Intuitive Business Decisions

In the professional world, people tend to lean on rational fact-based decisions over listening to their gut feeling. Flex will discuss this topic and why using both facts and personal intuition could actually be beneficial to your business and your career.
Rebecca Paradise
Sr. Director, Global HRBP, Automotive & CIO
Flex
Nicole Stevenson
VP Business Strategy and Marketing
Flex
Melanie Schuttenberg
VP Customer Business Unit Europe & Managing Director Design Center Stuttgart
Flex
14:30 - 14:50

On-Stage Interview: Navigating Corporate Jungle Gyms

"Navigating Corporate Jungle Gyms"
Mandi Damman
Executive Chief Engineer - Autonomous Vehicles
General Motors
Micha Goebig
Founder & CEO
GO BIG Coaching
14:50 - 15:30

Coffee Break - Networking

This is the perfect opportunity to expand your network, exchange ideas, and find inspiration from like-minded professionals.
15:30 - 15:50

On-stage Interview: How to re-invent yourself in the software defined world

How to re-invent yourself in the software defined world. Hear all about Sabrina's journey from General Counsel for Porsche in China, to tech founder in Silicon Valley and now head of strategy and product for Cariad North America
Sabrina Yuan
VP Strategy and Business Development Company
Cariad Inc. – a Volkswagen Group Company
Caroline Trudeau
Storyteller, Strategist and Senior Industry Advisor
15:50 - 16:10

A Blueprint for Growth: Pioneering Personal Progress in Times of Transformation

During this session Melinda will share the components of the ‘Blueprint for Growth’ she has assembled from her personal and professional experiences along her 20+ year automotive career, as a framework for building a personal blueprint that will empower you to make the most of every transformative opportunity.
Melinda Mernovage
Director, Corporate Communications, Global Business and Markets & NA
Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG
16:10 - 17:00

Closing Panel: Where exactly are the Opportunities? How to make your own Career Plan!

Join global leaders as the explore the differences across job functions and geographies. What are the various challenges and rewards for women leaders.
George Ayres
Managing Director
AutoMobility Advisors
Ashwini Balasubramanian
General Manager - Advanced Engineering
Harley Davidson Motor Company I President, Automotive Women's Alliance Foundation
Alisha Bellezza
SVP, Global Automotive Coatings
PPG
Anna Markett
SVP, Supply Chain
Stellantis North America
17:00 - 17:10

Chair's Closing Speech

Ana Lovera
Founder
Sourcing Values Inc
17:30 - 20:30

AWARDS & Networking Cocktail Reception

We are excited to be presenting 2 awards at this years awards ceremony!
🏆 GLOBAL DEI CHAMPION OF THE YEAR 🏆
🏆 AUTOMOTIVE WOMAN OF THE YEAR 🏆
Click here to view the shortlisted nominees and join us in recognizing outstanding achievements of individuals and companies.
June 5th, 11:05 – 11:45, Wards 100 Stage in the Partner Pavillion

Women Automotive Network Panel Discussion at AutoTech Detroit

"Navigating the Future of Automotive Leadership: Balancing Tradition and Innovation"
Join us for this Panel looking at what new technologies and innovation are shaping hires, the role of diversity, equity and inclusion trends, and ultimately, how to attract and retain talent
Jennifer Brace
Chief Futurist
Ford Motor Company
Brandon Faurote
Vice President – Advanced Design
Stellantis North America
Marian Maroki
Purchasing
General Motors
Stephanie May
Director
Women Automotive Network
BACK TO TOP