Automotive Womens Alliance Foundation

During 2024, AWAF offered in person events as well as virtual programs presenting relevant topics. AWAF held five such events throughout the year, with a total of 286 attendees. Topics that were presented in person included: An Evening with a Chief Operating Officer in the engineering automotive space (March); AWAFs Annual Step into Power, a signature event (October); and in December, at the holiday affair, AWAF recognized honorees for their contributions to the industry , while a product line director of an OEM provided an inspiring talk. In addition to these in-person events, two virtual programs were well attended highlighting successes by the younger generation of women leaders as part of AWAFs M2Z special programming. Being located in Southeastern Michigan, AWAF is fortunate to have first-rate speakers from the OEMs and Tier One Suppliers sharing their stories and experiences.

Provide members with ongoing updates and news related to the automotive industry especially as it relates to empowering women and their careers through various social media outlets, the organizations website and newsletter. AWAF had 308 active members at December 31, 2024.

In 2024, AWAF sponsored three professional development educational opportunities (one virtual and two in-person) for its members and guests. These events were held in February (virtual), April and September. There were a total of 183 attendees. The professional development topics were: How to Build Financial Security; Ignite Your Genius, an annual event; and Transforming Your Career: Embrace Change, Find Purpose, Take Action. AWAFs Ignite Your Genius is a special half day conference for women in the mobility industry.

IN 2024, the organization continued to expand its stem program. AWAFs stem outreach includes supporting local initiatives through participation on panels, as well as a conduit for young people to gain a greater insight into the automotive industry and related career opportunities. In particular, in 2024, AWAF launched its STEM KIT experience using kits that demonstrate various engineering and product development skills. Students in grades 7-12 learned the basics of coding for vehicle autonomy, including steering, signaling, vision and sensing in Python. In addition, AWAFs STEM outreach includes HER story. HER story is a volunteer-based program in which individuals or panels of speakers, comprised of AWAF membership, connect with high school classrooms and other student-based organizations (in person and virtually) to discuss education, careers in the automotive and mobility industries, and the realities of professional life after high school.

AWAF provides two distinct and special benefits to its members: Mentoring and Coaching. Mentoring is a one-on-one opportunity as a follow up to the scholarship winners, once they have entered the workforce, to ease their transition from student to professional. The coaching opportunity provides a professional coach to participants for a nominal fee that they may not otherwise afford. Each participant receives six coaching sessions over a six-month period. In 2024, the coaching program had 16 members participate in its 2024 flight. In addition, the timing of the program was changed to register for coaching in the late Fall to provide enough time to pair coaches with participants so that they can kick off the coaching sessions as soon as possible in the new year. There were 12 participants to register to start their coaching experiences for the 2025 flight.

AWAF believes in developing strategic alliances with other similar organizations, suppliers and OEMs to advance the mission of recognizing and advancing women in the automotive industry. To this end, AWAF identifies opportunities to work collaboratively to develop programs and deliver benefits while strengthening these relationships.