We like to say that Empowering Auto is a passion project with the best intentions to evolve the automotive industry.

Mission Statement:

We are on a mission to recruit, retain, and grow women and their allies in the auto industry.

This is accomplished through the annual flagship conference and micro events that bring people together and foster dialogue in authentic and supportive ways.

Pillars:

Flagship Conference

Mentoring

Student Outreach

Networking

The History of Empowering Auto

We believe we are more powerful as a group and together we have the opportunity to make the real change needed in the Canadian auto industry by coming together and creating an echo chamber of support and inclusion.

Empowering Auto Conference has humble beginnings. It started in 2019 at a half-day breakfast conference hosted by Women@HAC - an employee resource group, named “Empowerment,” located on-site at Hyundai Auto Canada’s head office. The intent was always to be an annual, growing conference. This event wouldn’t accomplish its aim if it remained a Hyundai-only event. We need to show the diversity, expertise and motivating individuals already in the automotive industry. We have broken down the usual competitive boundaries to unite with a common goal to combat our shared challenge regarding the attraction and retention of women.

Aryan and Katherine, colleagues at Hyundai Canada, connected on their shared passion for empowering women in the automotive industry. Aryan started at Hyundai right out of university, targeting automotive specifically from her lifetime of passion for cars. Katherine took her career into auto after building a strong HR foundation in other industries.

After Katherine attended her first in-person conference in May 2022, she was inspired to re-visit the conference idea and in a big way. After a few quick text messages to re-visit the idea of hosting a large-scale conference, Katherine and Aryan started to float the idea through the Hyundai Canada ranks, and it was received with full support and enthusiasm.

With the unwavering support from our CEO Don Romano, they booked a venue and got to work. The two recruited their 3rd and missing piece from the equation, Jenn McCarthy. Jenn brings 16 years of automotive PR experience we need to help make this event a success.

If you’re reading this, it means you’re curious, or ready to attend and support. We appreciate that, and you! We hope to see you at an upcoming event to network and hear some incredible stories from a chorus of inspiring voices in the Canadian car business.

Empowering Auto is a federally registered not-for-profit organization.

Dress is Business Casual.