Chicago area Toyota Looks at Influential Women in Auto Industry

Jun 6, 2015

Women are power players in the automotive industry. Many consumers automatically picture men when they think about cars, racers, top auto execs, and mechanics, but women are playing with the big boys and making significant strides. Some women started long before the new millennium and paved the way for strong women today. Chicago area Toyota looks at some of influential women in the auto industry.

Toyota Senior Officer: Julie Hamp

Julie Hamp is the company’s first female, non-Japanese senior official. Toyota appointed Hamp in May in an effort to diversify leadership at Toyota, and Hamp has big plans for the company. Hamp started out as the chief communications officer for Toyota. Hamp grew up in Queens, studied at Ferris State University, and started her career at General Motors in communications.

Women in Racing

Women are burning up the racing circuit. From the pavement to the sand, women are flying past the men. Of course we cannot talk about women in racing without first mentioning Shirley Muldowney, the first woman ever to receive a license from the NHRA. Hellé Nice set the world land-speed record for women in 1929. Ashley, Brittany and Courtney Force followed in their famous father’s footsteps.

Women in the Shop

One of the most recognizable women in the shop is Jessi Combs. Combs earned a degree in automotive fabrication from the WyoTech, and she was the first female to place at Ultra4 events. Lately, Combs can be seen on her television show “All Girls Garage” where she joins her all-female cast, Bogi Lateiner and Cristy Lee. Another female face under the hood is Army Spc. Samantha Brumley. She is the first female tank mechanic in the National Guard.

There are many more powerful women in the auto industry. Who is your favorite trendsetter?