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The Chicago Auto Show's What Drives Her Awards

The Chicago Auto Show, the oldest and most prominent automotive exposition in North America, recently concluded its ninth annual What Drives Her program. This event, partnered with A Girls Guide to Cars, recognizes outstanding contributions from women in the automotive industry across various sectors.

Held during the media preview on February 6, this year's event brought together influential figures in the automotive realm for an engaging discussion and awards ceremony that shone a spotlight on women leading innovations and initiatives in the field.

Insights and Discussions

The program opened with a captivating presentation from Jessica Jermakian, the senior vice president of vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Her talk, titled "Crash Course 2026: Are We Safer Than Ever in Our Cars?" addressed key safety issues in the automotive landscape, raising thought-provoking points about current and future vehicle safety. This was followed by a panel discussion, The Passenger Safety Puzzle: What Are We Getting Wrong? Moderated by Scotty Reiss, the founder of A Girls Guide to Cars, the panel included experts like Nancy Heaton, president of Commercial Americas at Britax Child Safety, and Kelly Stumpe, CEO of The Car Mom. Together, they shared their insights on the developments and challenges surrounding passenger safety.

"Each year, the What Drives Her program continues to enhance its impact," stated Jennifer Morand, the general manager of the Chicago Auto Show. She emphasized that the initiative is about empowering women at every phase of their career in a dynamic industry that values fresh ideas and diverse perspectives.

Award Recipients

Industry Trailblazer Award

The prestigious Industry Trailblazer Award was awarded to Chris Feuell, the Chrysler brand CEO and head of Alfa Romeo at Stellantis North America. Feuell has a remarkable track record in the automotive industry, with extensive experience in sales, marketing, and product management. Although unable to attend, she shared her gratitude through a video message, acknowledging the importance of recognizing women who set the path for others. Finalists in this category included Tisha Johnson and Tricia Morrow.

Best in Craft Media Award

The Best in Craft Media Award went to Elana Scherr, the senior features editor at Car and Driver. Scherr's distinguished career includes work in automotive journalism and editing for renowned publications. While she could not attend the ceremony, her colleague Eric Stafford accepted the award on her behalf. In her appreciation message, Scherr highlighted the vital role played by peers and mentors in her career.

Automotive Ally

Emily Miller, founder of the Rebelle Rally, received the Automotive Ally Award this year. She has dedicated her career to empowering women in automotive and adventure sports, coaching over 8,000 participants in off-road navigation and driving. Nominations for her accolade highlighted her commitment to fostering women in technical and leadership roles.

Best Retailer Award

Alyssa Farkas, assistant general manager at Arnie Bauer Buick GMC Cadillac, was recognized with the Best Retailer Award. Since joining the dealership in 2011, she has significantly changed its operations, leading the dealership to become the nation’s top GMC EV dealer in 2025. Other finalists in this category included Kelly Kane and Jennifer Pascoe.

The awards ceremony not only celebrated the accomplishments of these remarkable women but also served as a platform to inspire future generations to strive for leadership roles in the automotive industry.

For further details about the 2026 Chicago Auto Show, please visit ChicagoAutoShow.com.

Conclusion

The What Drives Her program at the Chicago Auto Show is a vital component in promoting gender diversity in the automotive sector. By highlighting the achievements of women leaders, the initiative ignites conversations about the importance of inclusion and empowerment, ensuring that fresh ideas and diverse perspectives continue to shape the future of the automotive industry.