Women Driving Auto Retail
The annual NADA Women Driving Auto Retail (WDAR) event at NADA Show explores gender diversity in the auto retail industry. This popular event features structured and informal networking, and inspiring speakers.
Timing: Thursday, January 23 | 8:30-11:30am
- 8:30-9:15am: Breakfast
- 9:15-10am: Late-Night Lessons in Leadership
- 10-10:45am: Organized Networking Segment
- 10:45-11:30am: Breaking Barriers, Building Success
Price: $150 for dealers and managers, $200 for exhibitors. This event sells out quickly, register for NADA Show 2025 and add your ticket now!
Please note this is an optional ticketed event and is NOT INCLUDED with your NADA Show 2025 registration.
Late-Night Lessons in Leadership
Discover how to thrive in the fast-paced world of automotive retail. Learn from award-winning TV producer Lindsay Shookus as she shares her secrets to navigating high-pressure situations. Gain practical strategies to build resilience, make quick decisions and drive success in your career.
The ability to think through challenges is essential for any leader, changemaker or impact player. It’s something award-winning TV producer Lindsay Shookus is no stranger to, having dealt with the pressure of producing live TV for two decades. She learned early in her career, anything and everything can go wrong at a moment’s notice. Rather than running from the problem, she found running toward it honed her ability to think on her feet and tap into creative problem-solving.
Hear her open up about unforeseen moments behind the scenes of “Saturday Night Live” and other popular programs. Learn how to navigate difficult circumstances, and to find the opportunity in adversity, make quick decisions and develop solutions. Discover how teamwork, resilience, accountability and adaptability are key components for sharpening your skills as a problem-solver and leader.
Lindsay Shookus
Lindsay Shookus is a seven-time Emmy award-winning producer who, for 20 years, worked as a producer for Saturday Night Live. During her tenure, as both producer and head of the talent department, Shookus helped engineer the show’s success from booking and managing celebrity hosts and musical guests, to scouting rising stars to join the show’s ranks.
Previously named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “Rising Executives 35 and Under,” she has appeared on Billboard’s “Women in Music” list three times. Beyond her work, Shookus is passionate about supporting the causes close to her heart. She is the co-founder of Women Work F#cking Hard, a women’s community focused on empowering female founders and helping businesswomen develop their careers and advocate for one another. She is also a member of the 2022 Class of Henry Crown Fellows with Aspen Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute.
Breaking Barriers, Building Success
Hear firsthand from inspiring women leaders who have broken barriers and built thriving careers in automotive retail. Learn how they’ve overcome challenges, leveraged diversity to drive innovation, and fostered inclusive workplaces. Gain practical strategies for achieving and sustaining success in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Grené Baranco, executive vice president, Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead (Atlanta)
Grené Baranco has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry. A pioneer in online automotive retail, she led her dealership to record profits through innovative digital sales strategies. She is a champion of diversity and inclusion in the automotive space.
Karen Ford, dealer principal, Sutton Ford (Chicago)
Karen Ford is a second-generation dealer committed to reshaping the automotive industry. With a background in finance and experience at Toyota, she leads her dealership in Illinois while championing diversity and empowering future leaders through her journey and influence.
Hilary Haron, founder, The Haron Group [moderator]
Hilary Haron, an MBA graduate, has had a robust career as owner of a successful car dealership and is an advocate for women in automotive. As a board member and founding member of industry associations, she drives initiatives for representation and education, fostering positive change.
Kristin Hutchins, president and CEO, Ruge's Auto Group
Kristin Ruge Hutchins is a 40-plus-year veteran in the auto industry. Ruge’s Auto Group includes a Subaru Service Center, and Ruge’s Ford, Ruge’s Subaru, Ruge’s Chevrolet and Ruge’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. She is an NADA Dealer Academy graduate.
Tianna Mick, chief marketing officer, Dealer Synergy
Tianna Mick, aka T Got Your Keys, is an award-winning automotive salesperson and influencer. At just 19 years of age, she became a top-grossing salesperson. Now the youngest NADA speaker ever, she advocates for diversity in the automotive industry and boasts significant social media recognition.
