The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) welcomed over 80 attendees to its 2024 Women's Leadership Forum this past March in Austin, Texas.
Themed "EVOLVE: Advancing the Future of Women in Leadership," the event empowered women in the automotive aftermarket industry to advance in their careers. Attendees gained essential leadership skills through inspiring keynotes and engaging instruction from top-tier leadership experts.
The education seminars and workshops covered topics such as defining your individual roadmap, essential qualities of women who lead, how to lift up the next generation of women leaders and more.
"All of the speakers and all of the topics helped to bring me self-awareness and a reinvigorated focus on personal motivation to be better," said Kira Daczjo of Universal Technical Institute. "Whether it is to be better as a leader, communicate better, approaching topics differently, choosing to not be a victim and working to overcome your own securities, the event was a space to share and gain empowerment with other women."
Reflecting on her experience, Celina Leggiere of Fox Factory highlighted the impact of Ann Sheu's keynote, '2000 Free Days: 3 Mindset Shifts to Live a Radically Intentional Life': "Not only did Ann pour into my life and remind me that work life balance and intentionality are important when it comes to being a woman in business or corporate, but during her workshop, I was able to narrow down my values. This is something I had never done. Additionally, just being in the room with such powerful, like minded and inspirational women impacted my mental health in great ways!"
Elizabeth Bosley of Dee Zee Manufacturing added: "The completion of the Women's Leadership Forum was a very emotional experience. The validation from complete strangers that I am smart enough, I am worthy and I am good enough was something I never realized I needed. I believe this will help me not only in my personal life, but in my professional life as well."
In addition to taking part in the two-day educational program, women fostered business connections and friendships with other SBN members through dedicated networking events and received complimentary professional headshots.
To learn more about the SBN Women's Leadership Forum, visit www.sema.org/sbn-wlf.