By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) named Isabella Gillespie, manager of corporate partnerships at Barrett-Jackson, as the network's newest spotlight member.
Get to know Gillespie in her interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Isabella Gillespie: Two pieces of advice stand out to me. One is that your actions do the talking, and two is that you're allowed to change your mind and/or start over. Both have ensured that I focus on what matters when pursuing a goal or dream and allowed me to give myself permission to pivot and realign when necessary.
SN: What keeps you in the industry?
IG: Irrefutable passion and the car community.
SN: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
IG: Cars and coffee or shopping vintage thrift stores on the hunt for period-correct concours fashion!
SN: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
IG: Ensure the goals for the meeting have been clearly identified and communicated. Based on the meeting type, I conduct research to ensure I am knowledgeable enough to ask the right questions.
SN: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?
IG: Without hesitation, my choice would be Sandra Button. Having had the privilege of meeting her briefly at automotive events, I am continually inspired by her exceptional ability to preserve cherished traditions while propelling the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance into the future.
Sandra's visionary approach, marked by a keen eye for innovation, ensures that this iconic event remains not just significant but prevalent in the automotive world. What sets her apart further is her humility and dedication to highlighting her team and the passionate automotive enthusiasts who breathe life into the event, reflecting her genuine commitment to fostering a sense of community within the industry.
A lunch with Sandra Button would provide a unique opportunity to learn from a leader who has gracefully navigated tradition and innovation, making her a true inspiration in the automotive realm and a personal role model.
Fill out an FLN member spotlight form to be eligible to be featured on FLN's social media, SEMA News and FLN member updates.