WAAI Chicago Chapter Celebrates Women in Automotive Industry

February 12, 2008. The newly formed Chicago Chapter of the Women’s Automotive Association International (WAAI) held its first luncheon at the impressive McCormick Place Convention Center, on what was also Women’s Day at the Chicago Auto Show.

With over 800 members, WAAI was founded in 1995 by Lorraine Schultz out of Detroit, Michigan, and is the automotive industry’s premiere professional organization for women that provides networking and development opportunities for WAAI members, and strives to recognize the achievements of women in the automotive industry.
WAAI’s focus is on developing and retaining women leaders, as well as educating and supporting all people without prejudice, who have an interest in the automotive industry.

Today’s luncheon featured WAAI President Jody Devere of AskPatty.com, Inc., and panel members Sherralyn Peterson, Automotive Incentive Specialist and former General Motors executive, Kathy Sherman, Chief Financial Officer of ADP Dealer Services, and Stefanie Graves, dealer principal of South Holland Mitsubishi, South Holland, Illinois.

The honoree of the WAAI Chicago Chapter’s first annual Professional Achievement Award was Sandra Gillespie, Senior Vice President, Procurement and Supply for Mitsubishi Motors of North America, Inc. Sandra began her career with Mitsubishi Motors in 1989 as a staff coordinator in production control. Rising through the ranks, she became Vice President, Planning & Logistics in 2003 before being promoted to her current position in April 2004. Responsible for MMNA Manufacturing’s supply-chain activities, including purchasing, indirect materials, tooling and cost engineering, Gillespie also handles inspection of engineering development, scheduling and planning, domestic and international logistics, material handling, supplier diversity, service parts, scheduling, parts coordination, packaging and e-business. She also supervises 200 people and manages an annual budget of $1.2 billion.

Whew! Can you imagine it? Only a woman could handle that many roles. When Sandra started with Mitsubishi there was no ’blueprint” for establishing a nationwide auto parts distribution network for a Central Illinois manufacturer with its design functions and parent company in Japan. In addition, there was no Service Parts Department or distribution system in place, nor an infrastructure. Sandra created that infrastructure, including development of the personnel and facilities for three parts distribution centers that brought in more than $5 million in parts business the first year.

In a non-traditional role in a dual-culture company, in an industry that doesn’t often support or advance women and minorities, Gillespie defied the odds. Her successes are many, and she acknowledges her grandfather who was her mentor. Her advice to the women in the audience? Among other things: “Pick your battles, maintain a good work ethic, and look for mentors.

The panel members shared with attendees their experiences as women in the traditionally male-dominated world of automobiles. Starting out as a receptionist in a dealership to make ends meet, then single mom Stefanie Graves worked her way up through accounting, financing and auditing to learn the business of running an automobile dealership. When she met her husband Rick, together they made his lifelong dream a reality: owning their own automobile dealership. Graves shared with the audience her journey and why she believes women are naturals at automobile sales.

Sherralyn Peterson started her automotive career as a financial analyst with General Motors. She went through GM’s Financial Management Candidate Training Program, worked at various corporate facilities throughout Southeast Michigan and Chicago before retiring in 2005. It was then that Peterson opened her own consulting firm as an Automotive Incentive Specialist, doing for GM dealerships what she spent years doing for GM: In-house auditing. When asked what role women will play in the automotive industry five years from now, Peterson shared that she believes the role will grow; that the industry is on the verge of reversing its mindset. “if you love challenge, constant growth and working hard,” she said, “there is a lot of opportunity in this industry.”

“There are so many things women are good at,” Graves told the women in the audience. “I would love to find a female sales manager right now for our dealership. Women are good at communicating, multi-tasking, and they are resourceful and good at sales.”

If you are located in Illinois and work in an auto-related field, consider joining WAAI Chicago Chapter by contacting Kathy Gilbert at 847.485.4390, or email Kathy_Gilbert@adp.com.