WOMEN in Automotive held its second ‘Signature Series’ event in Melbourne with a sold-out audience from Australia’s automotive industry capped at 350 guests.

(L-R): Rachel Butler – WinA, Silvia Balovcikova – HR Director, Cox Automotive Australia, Matthew McAuley – Director Strategy and Business Transformation, Cox Automotive Australia, Nadine Armstrong – WinA.

The event was held under the new leadership team of Rachel Butler, Nadine Armstrong and Kate Peck, who took over early in 2024 from the VACC to run Women in Automotive as an independent organisation and expanded the program nationally.

Panellists (L-R): Jo Stanley, Eleanor Baillieu, Jennifer Watt

Attendees heard from 17-time Paralympic medallist Ellie Cole; North Melbourne AFL Club CEO Jennifer Watt; TV and radio personality Jo Stanley; and entrepreneur Eleanor Baillieu, all speaking to the event’s inspirational theme ‘Leaning into Change’.

With diversity, equality and inclusion at the root of the conversation, speakers discussed how individual actions can shape cultures, drive innovation and steer organisations towards more inclusive environments and greater success. 

The event was attended by leaders of some of Australia’s major automotive brands including Ford Australia, Nissan Australia, Nissan Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz Australia Cars, Mercedes-Benz Australia Vans, Vic Roads, Honda Australia, MTAA and Michelin Australia.

WinA director Rachel Butler said the Melbourne event was sold out two weeks prior. It followed the first event under the new directorship held in Brisbane on July 31 and was also sold out at 80 guests.

Ford Australia attending staff with CEO and President Andrew Birkic (far left)

“Our annual Signature Series Lunch was all about shining a light on great people doing great work in this space, and we were thrilled at the huge show of support from our guests, our speakers and the automotive industry in general for this important initiative,” said Ms Butler.

“The future is bright for women in the automotive industry and this event showed that we are all working together to make it an employer of choice.” 

WinA was supported by presenting partner Cox Automotive Australia and major partners Ford Australia, Morris Finance, Vic Roads and Soda Communications, with table sponsors Deloitte, Vic Roads, Suncorp, Toyota Australia, Autosports Group, Melbourne BMW, and Nissan Australia.

Ms Butler said the Signature Series events continue for Women in Automotive with the next event in Sydney in the first half of 2025 and a plan to include Adelaide and/or Perth later in 2025.

Women in Automotive has promoted female participation in the Australian motoring industry since its inception in 1999. Its 25th anniversary coincides with a new leadership team and ambitious growth plans as it pushes for equality for females and non-binary people in one of Australia’s biggest industries.

Lee Peters, partner at Deloitte presenting Automotive Insights 

Under the VACC stewardship, Women in Automotive has assisted and supported females into automotive trades as well as hosting networking and motivational events and seminars. 

Women in Automotive is trusted by thousands of women working in all aspects of the automotive industry throughout Australia from panel-beaters to dealer principals, apprentice mechanics to marketing managers, CEOs to rally champs. 

Now independently run for the first time, Women in Automotive continues to have the support of the VACC as a founding sponsor.