Welcome to WAAI : Official Web Site of the Women's Automotive Association International

The Women's Automotive Association International (WAAI) began in 1995 when Lorraine Schultz, Founder, brought to life the vision she had to establish an organization dedicated to the development and advancement of women as automotive industry leaders. Today, the organization continues to thrive throughout the United States and Canada as the leading women's global organization dedicated to this purpose.

Vision Statement

The leading women's global organization dedicated to the development and advancement of automotive industry leaders.

Mission Statement

The Women's Automotive Association International is the automotive industry's premier professional organization, established in 1995, to:

· recognize the achievements of women in the industry;
· provide educational e-news to automotive career-focused individuals;
· build relationships through networking and other interactive forums; and
· encourage growth through mentoring, educational endeavors, and scholarships.

The focus of the Association is on the development and retention of women leaders and the education and support of all persons, without prejudice, who have an interest in the automotive industry.

Organizational Milestones

1995: National Women's Automotive Association (NWAA) founded by Lorraine Schultz in Detroit with the assistance and support of David Fry, President of Northwood University, and Sharon Snyder, then Director of Development · Detroit Chapter formed by Susan Fresard Belen, Jim Fresard Pontiac-Buick · WAAI logo created

1996: First North American International Automobile Show breakfast held at the Ponchatrain Hotel in Detroit, Michigan · Northwood University scholarship endowment fund established · Akron, Ohio Chapter formed by Gayle Marsh, Myers Tire Supply · Chicago, Illinois Chapter formed by Marie Kratchovil, America Honda Motor Co.

1997: First Annual Professional Achievement Award dinner held honoring Maureen Kempston-Darkes, President of General Motors of Canada, Ltd · New York Tri-State Chapter formed by Barbara Shipp-Clark, Automotive Employment Resources · Los Angeles, California Chapter formed by Courtney Caldwell, American Woman Road and Travel · Boston, Massachusetts Chapter formed by Barbara Good-Toohey, Good Brothers Dodge

1998: WAAI invited to attend a conference at the White House with Vice President Al Gore and key members of the Big 3 for signing of President Clinton's Diversity Contract · First Annual Spirit of Leadership breakfast during the NADA Convention honoring Mary Simonson-Rehwald, President/CEO, W.I. Simonson Mercedes · First chapter in Toronto, Canada formed by Candace Fochuk-Barey, Ford Motor Company of Canada · Dallas-Ft Worth Chapter formed by Maureen Martin, AutoVisionary, Inc.

1999: NWAA name change to Women's Automotive Association International (WAAI)

2000: WAAI becomes a donor to the Automotive Hall of Fame's scholarship fund

2001: International Bylaws and Charter Letter Agreements signed · U.S. and Canada National Divisions formed · First Women-in-Racing event held at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit

2002: First International Scholarships awarded: Amy Kopin, full-time undergraduate student at the University of Michigan; Ania Neil, part-time graduate student at Fordham University; JaHee Hwang, part-time undergraduate student at Mt. San Antonio College; Sarah DePape, full-time undergraduate student at Northwood University; and Michelle Simpson, full-time undergraduate student at Northwood University · Spirit of Leadership Award expanded to include honorees from three automotive business areas: manufacturer, supplier and retailer.

2004: The Women's Automotive Association International expanded our programs in 2004 with the addition of our Northwood University student chapter and mentoring program. This program supports and encourages participation by women students at Northwood University campuses in our association, an outreach program in local communities to educate young female high school students on the career opportunities in the automotive industry and provides mentoring to Northwood University student women seeking careers in automotive. Five scholarships were presented to qualifying students during 2004.

2005:In support of the women in motorsports we created a partnership and scholarship program in conjunction with the Lyn Saint James Foundation ( www.lynstjames.com). The Women's Automotive Association International "Deborah Renshaw - Women in Motorsports Scholarship" was created to provide support to developing women race cars drivers in all racing series through the Lyn St James Driver Development Program. It is the intent of the Lyn St James Driver Development program is to identify potential champion women drivers as well as create an experience that will present tools useful in furthering the careers in motorsports and enhancing the lives of race car drivers on and off the track.

2006: Our commitment to diversity among women in the automotive industry was enhanced by the newly created board position of Vice President of Diversity. The appointment of Karen Payton, Vice President, On Wheels, Inc. to our board of directors in 2006 demonstrates our commitment and support to the multicultural richness of the diverse women of the automotive industry. On Wheels, Incorporated is a multicultural multimedia company that publishes African Americans On Wheels, Asians On Wheels and Latinos On Wheels magazines. It produces The Urban Wheel Awards, The Urban Wheel Dealer Awards and maintains the OnWheelsInc.com. website. On Wheels, Incorporated is also the parent organization of the Edward Davis Education Foundation.

At the 2006 Women in the Winner's Circle luncheon in Indianapolis on Aug. 3, the Women's Automotive Association International announced a new scholarship program honoring the dedicated efforts of Deborah Renshaw, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racer and LSJ DDP graduate. This scholarship was awarded in Phoenix to talented up-and-comer Chelsea Shillig, 15, of Apopka, Fla. Shillig has been racing eight years in quarter midgets, bandoleros and legends and has garnered numerous victories and track records. "She demonstrated amazing maturity and desire during the intense four-day program," said St. James.

Scholarships were awarded to the following students in 2006:
Lindsay Marie Agor, Northwood Scholarship. Lindsay is a graduate of Northwood University where she studied both Automotive Marketing/Management and Advertising Marketing. Lindsay is now the New Student Chapter President for the Northwood University Midlands campus. Kelly Keil, Mary Simonson-Rehwald scholarship. Kelly is also a student at Northwood University. Her passion centers on cars and racing. Kelly was involved in the Midget Racing Association.

2007:The AutoTrader.com sponsored WAAI.com employee scholarship program was established in 2007 through the generosity and tremendous support of AutoTrader.com and Chip Perry, CEO. This scholarship opportunity is available to all AutoTrader.com employees and their family members who are currently enrolled in a vocational, undergraduate, or graduate program on a full or part-time basis. The International Scholarship Committee and AutoTrader.com want to make a significant contribution to those students who are pursuing their education toward an automotive-related career.

Structure

The organizational structure of the WAAI consists of three interrelated levels: the WAAI International Governing Board of Directors, WAAI International Directors for National Divisions such as the United States and Canada, and Regional Executive Directors located throughout the respective national divisions.

Governance, administration, and coordination of all operations are centralized within its International Headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, United States of America. Each National Division and/or Region establishes its unique business plans, subject to the approval of the WAAI International Governing Board of Directors.

International Governing Board of Directors

The functions of the International Governing Board of Directors are:
· To harmonize and coordinate the standards, goals and activities of the WAAI among the National Divisions.
· To develop an international perspective for the mutual advancement of the interest of WAAI members within the automotive industry.
· To formulate, establish and enforce compliance with required policies and procedures for all National Divisions.
· To conduct activities and forums aimed at promoting the international role of women in the automotive industry.
· To promote communication among National Divisions and to facilitate consideration and expression of opinions upon international issues affecting the automotive industry and the role of women therein.
· To disseminate and exchange relevant business information among National Divisions.
· To recognize the leadership of women in the automotive industry worldwide.
· To expand WAAI leadership to other nations and promote the formation of additional National Divisions.
· To grant WAAI charters to additional National Divisions who have executed a National Charter Letter Agreement, and to revoke the charters of National Divisions for cause.
· To review, approve or reject proposed amendments to these Bylaws applicable to a National Division that has been chartered for over two years.
· To promote and encourage international sponsorship of the WAAI and its activities.
· To serve as mediator or arbitrator of matters presented by any National Division or Divisions.
· To authorize or withhold authorization of the use of the original or current name of the Association.

Statement of Trust

"As women professionals, we are leaders, we are visible, we are accountable, and we are determined. People inside - and outside - of the automotive industry observe what we say and do. The Women's Automotive Association International strives, each and every day, to meet the expectations of our family, employers, members, supporters and sponsors. Through the quality of our leadership, our words, our objectives, and our commitment, we continually seek to maintain the respect and trust of those around us, as well as our position as the world's leading professional organization supporting women within the automotive industry. It is for these purposes that we survive as an organization and remain one organization with one vision, one mission and many minds."

Thank you,
WAAI International Governing Board of Directors

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