At NADA Show 2026, industry leaders and automotive retail professionals came together with a shared purpose: advancing women in the auto and truck retail industry.
Sandy Angello, NADA 2026 vice chairman, opened the annual Women Driving Vehicle Retail (WDVR) event with an energizing message about the impact women are making across automotive retail. She emphasized that this gathering wasn’t about checking a box — it was about recognizing reality: women are driving results, leading teams and shaping the future of the industry. Her remarks underscored the importance of visibility, mentorship and leadership. They served as a powerful reminder that our presence in this business is not optional — it’s essential.
Lindsay Shookus, Emmy Award-winning TV producer and founder of Women Work F#cking Hard, shared secrets for navigating high-pressure situations. Early in her career, she learned anything can go wrong at a moment’s notice. Rather than running from the problem, she found running toward challenges honed her ability to think on her feet and tap into creative problem-solving. Attendees learned practical strategies to build resilience, make quick decisions and drive success in their own careers.
WDVR emcee Gretchen Seidel moderated an uplifting panel featuring Felicia Barr, service director of Bertera Auto Group; Kaylee Felio, sales and marketing director of PartsEdge; Nytasha Walker, regional VP of Subaru of America; and Heather Wilkinson, assistant VP of JM&A Group, who offered candid insights from their insider perspectives. Their authentic stories of growth, resilience and self-discovery highlighted both the progress made and the work still ahead. Attendees left empowered with fresh perspectives on embracing leadership at every step of the journey.
Throughout the engaging program, participants exchanged ideas, challenged assumptions and shared practical strategies for growth.
Beyond the stage, conversations continued — strengthening relationships among dealers, industry partners and solution providers.
The WDVR event also honored recipients of three awards, sponsored by RouteOne:
- The Rising Star Award recognizes a woman early in her dealership career who is driving her path in vehicle retail and serving as a role model and champion for her female peers in the industry.
- The Accelerator Award recognizes a mid-career-level woman who has demonstrated success in improving gender equity in her dealership.
- The Ally Award recognizes a person with a career track record in hiring, training, mentoring and championing women in vehicle retail, and enhancing gender diversity in the field.
Congratulations to Jeanine Bayne of Volvo of Charlottesville (Rising Star Award), Porsha Conrad of Bob Penkhus Volvo Cars (Accelerator Award) and Linda Villella of CDJR Corpus Christi and Access Ford (Ally Award) on their outstanding accomplishments!
During the networking activity sponsored by automotiveMastermind, participants explored questions such as: How do we change the perception that dealerships are not a workplace for women?
NADA instructor Georgia Munson kept the discussions collaborative and the ideas flowing. Key takeaways include the importance of intentional mentorship, visible leadership pathways and sustained accountability in advancing women across all areas of dealership operations.
WDVR 2026 made one thing clear: women are not just participating in vehicle retail — they are shaping its future.
Buzz About the Event
- NADA 2026 Vice Chairman Sandy Angello shared, “Women Driving Vehicle Retail exists because visibility matters. Access matters. Mentorship matters. And most importantly, leadership matters. When women lead, businesses grow stronger, cultures become healthier and communities benefit.”
- Catherine York Mace, manager at Vann York Auto Group, shared, “Women Driving Vehicle Retail at NADA Show 2026 did an incredible job of fostering a strong, supportive community of women navigating a male-dominated industry. It created a space for connection, shared understanding and empowerment that made attendees feel seen, supported and stronger together.”
- NADA Academy Instructor Georgia Munson admitted, “networking doesn’t always feel natural. I’d often rather sit back and watch. But give me an activity and a warm, welcoming group of people, and it’s amazing what can happen. At WDVR 2026 women from across the automotive industry came together to collaborate, share stories and exchange ideas on how to better engage and retain women in dealerships."
- Gretchen Seidel, industry relations director, NADA, reflected, “We proved what happens when the 18% becomes the 82%. The room was full of intellectual capital and actual grit. We moved beyond the usual tropes and focused on actionable strategies to navigate the complexity of retail and drive results in our dealerships.”
