Join NADA Women Driving Auto Retail for a virtual happy hour at NADA Show 2021. At the first-ever virtual Women Driving Auto Retail event, you’ll hear insights from women who are shaping auto retail in the industry today and connect with industry-leading
women creating opportunities for the next generation.
Sponsored by Ally and CarGurus
Women Driving Auto Retail Happy Hour
NADA Show 2021
Wednesday, February 10, 5pm EST
This event consists of four segments. See details below.
Note: Attendees will need to register for NADA Show 2021 in order to attend this event.
Register today!
To access the event:
- Registered attendees will click on the “Networking & Receptions” tile from the main lobby (or select “Networking” under the top navigation bar). Then, click the “Receptions and Happy Hours” tile, which will take you to a full listing of happy hours
filtered by date/time/alphabetical.
- Click the “Women Driving Auto Retailing Happy Hour” button and a second tab will open.
- When that second page opens, a link in the center of that page will appear that says “Click here to join the meeting.” Once you click that link, it will launch Zoom and enter the attendee into the zoom room.
- The attendee can choose to put their camera on or off, and mute or unmute themselves to participate.
- Note: Attendees will need latest version of Zoom downloaded to participate.
Program Details
SEGMENT 1
The Undeniable Power of Women in Automotive Retail
Susan Moffitt
Join Susan Moffitt, Dealer Principal of Porsche Shreveport and Moffitt Mazda and the 2020 TIME Dealer of the Year, for a discussion about the power of women in the auto retail industry.
Moffitt is a second generation dealer who shares ownership of Moffitt Automotive with her three siblings. The group oversees dealerships in Bossier City and Shreveport, representing brands Audi, Mazda, Porsche and Volkswagen. Moffitt joined the auto retail
industry after college in the Bossier City, La. dealership founded by her father Fred; she began her career as cashier and receptionist, eventually moving into the service department and later sales, where she found her niche.
Moffitt continues her father’s legacy of giving back by spearheading numerous charity initiatives. She is a lifetime sponsor of LSU (Louisiana State University) Health Foundation and LSU Health Shreveport and served as chair of An Evening for Healers
in 2017, a fundraiser for the medical and research center.
Susan Moffitt
New and Used Sales Manager,
Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead
SEGMENT 2
Attracting More Women to Auto Retail: A Conversation with Two Industry Leaders
Women are recognized as decision-makers and influencers when it comes to big-ticket purchases like cars, yet remain underrepresented in the dealership. Kathy Ruble, executive director of Auto Marketing, Ally, will welcome mother-daughter team Grené and Juanita Baranco, of Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead, to share insights on attracting more women to the industry and fostering an inclusive environment at the dealership.
Grené Baranco
Grené Baranco began her auto career in 1997 at her family's Pontiac GMC dealership in Lilburn, Ga., where she created the internet sales department. Grené is the daughter of Juanita and Gregory Baranco, owners of the The Baran Company, which includes
Mercedes Benz of Buckhead. She is a graduate of the National Automobile Dealers Association Dealer Academy and was the recent recipient of Third Annual “Ally Sees Her” Award, an award recognizing automotive leadership and commitment to community
and diversity.
Grené Baranco
New and Used Sales Manager,
Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead
Juanita Baranco
Juanita Baranco is COO of The Baran Company, which includes The Baranco Automotive Group – consisting of Mercedes Benz of Buckhead, Mercedes Benz of Covington, Louisiana and smart Center Buckhead. Baranco co-founded The Baranco Automotive group with her
husband Gregory in 1978. She is an attorney by training and served as the Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia before entering the auto retail industry. Juanita was also names an Automotive News Top 100 Leading Women honoree.
Juanita Baranco
Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer,
The Baran Company
Moderator
Kathy Ruble, Executive Director of Auto Marketing at Ally, will moderate the event.
Kathy Ruble,
Executive Director of Auto Marketing, Ally
SEGMENT 3
Retaining and Fostering Female Employees
Employee retention and success is driven by strong engagement. CarGurus will welcome Laurie Foster of Foster Strategies and Candice Crane of Crane Automotive Resources to discuss the tools dealers can use to retain and foster female employees for the
long run. Foster and Crane will also highlight how dealers can keep female employees engaged after hiring with strong onboarding.
Candice Crane
Candice Crane has 15 years of sales and operations experience in a variety of markets. As the Organizational Development Director of a large automotive group in the Midwest, Candice designed and led a transformational change that improved the customer
experience and reduced employee turnover. She also created a Management Training Program and defined a career path for future leaders and high volume sales people.
Candice Crane
People Strategist,
Crane Automotive Resources
Laurie Foster
A dynamic leader in automotive and affiliated Industries for over 22 years, Laurie Foster brings her keen insights and unparalleled strategies to dealers and vendor partners globally.
Laurie Foster
Leading Automotive Industry Strategist
and Founding Partner,
Foster Strategies
Moderator
Arielle Aldrich, Senior Manager of Marketing, CarGurus, will moderate the event.
Arielle Aldrich,
Senior Manager of Marketing, CarGurus
SEGMENT 4
Fourth Annual Women Driving Auto Retail Video Contest Winner Presentation
Now in its fourth year, the Women Driving Auto Retail video contest celebrates women who work in all areas of car or truck dealerships.
NADA will announce 10 video semifinalists on Friday, January 29, 2021. The grand-prize winner will be announced during this event. Semi-finalists will receive a $500 gift card. The grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 gift card plus complimentary
registration to NADA Show 2022 in Las Vegas!
Read the full contest rules at womendrivingautoretail.org.