The Chicago Auto Show organizers are proud to partner with A Girls Guide to Cars and Women in Automotive to produce the annual What Drives Her networking event and awards program during the show’s Media Preview. What Drives Her was started in 2017 as a way to bring together influential women in the automotive industry and amplify the female leadership and innovation contributions across manufacturing, retailers, media and beyond.
Event organizers introduced the What Drives Her awards in 2022 to recognize and applaud outstanding females and advocates in the industry. Nominations are submitted from individuals within the industry ranging from auto manufacturers, suppliers, media and dealers. The panel of distinguished jurors are made up of female automotive journalists.
At a local level, the Best Retailer award calls on CATA dealers to nominate an extraordinary female at Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana dealerships. This person demonstrates a high level of commitment and drive to any task at hand, whether that’s in sales, service, finance or technical support. Nominees must be employed by a Chicago-area dealership.
The 2023 recipient was Soledad Romero, Store Manager, Romeoville Toyota. Soledad started in an entry-level position at the dealership during the pandemic. She demonstrated her excellence as a leader and a human being with compassion, pride, integrity and discipline to achieve results, since she has climbed her way up to the top of management. Romero didn’t have any automotive experience when joining the team just two years ago. She leads by example and is willing to help with any department in the dealership. Her team says she handles it all with grace and compassion while leading her team.
“It has been such an honorable moment in my career, to have been recognized and presented with the Best Retailer Award,” stated Romero. “To have been classified under a category such as ‘Influential Woman in Automotive’ has been an incredible experience. Let’s continue to support and stand strong behind empowering women who share the same passion for retail in automotive.”
2023 Best Retailer finalists included: Gabrielle Abinion, General Manager, Fox Valley Volkswagen; Soledad Romero, Store Manager, Romeoville Toyota; and Carly Weck, Finance Manager, Elgin Kia.
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Best Retailer Award. Please reach out to CATA Communications & Marketing Manager Hayley Feichter at hfeichter@drivechicago.com with your nomination. Nominations will remain open until mid‑January 2024.
