Women's Leadership Forum Presented by SBN - SEMA Businesswomen's Network - header Women's Leadership Forum Presented by SBN - SEMA Businesswomen's Network - mobile header

 

  1. Designed for women in the automotive aftermarket
    Women often struggle in the working world, from being able to say "no" to being respected for one's thoughts and ideas. The challenge is amplified in the male-dominated automotive industry. The comprehensive leadership training brings women who share common struggles in the industry together to address and discuss common challenges.
  2. Breakout sessions + inspiring speakers and informative sessions
    The three-day program includes keynote sessions, breakout sessions and key assets to provide learning post event from top speakers and experts. Participants can choose breakout sessions that are most important to them. The sessions will focus on providing assistance for both professional leadership and personal development.
  3. Reduced cost for SBN members
    SBN members will receive a reduced rate of $799, compared to the non-SEMA member rate of $999.
  4. Grow your tribe of women allies
    This event is a safe environment for females to come together to express challenges and wins. The varied activities and connections will make attendees feel comfortable and relaxed and help SBN members find 'their people'. Participants will leave with contacts and connections that can serve as support in the future.
  5. Amplify your executive presence
    Many women don't feel comfortable sharing their professional wins or know how to do it in the right way to advance an idea, project or cause. Participants will learn how to fine-tune their presence, build relationships and communicate value that impacts women at all levels in organizations.

WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE (BY THE NUMBERS)

Women represent 47.1% of the U.S. workforce.

  • In 2025, women accounted for 47.1% of all employed people age 16 and over.
  • Women represented 41.8% of management occupations and 33% of chief executives in the United States.

Women hold 29% of C-suite positions at U.S. companies.

  • According to the 2025 Women in the Workplace report from McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org, women represent 49% of employees at the entry level, but their representation decreases at each step of the corporate pipeline.
  • Women represent 42% of managers, 39% of senior managers/directors, 35% of vice presidents, 32% of senior vice presidents and just 29% of C-suite positions.

WOMEN OF COLOR IN LEADERSHIP

Women of color represent just 7% of C-suite positions.

  • In McKinsey & Company's 2025 Women in the Workplace data, women of color represented 21% of entry-level employees, but only 7% of C-suite positions.
  • Women of color represented 14% of managers, 10% of senior managers/directors, 9% of vice presidents and 9% of senior vice presidents.

Women of color hold 7.7% of Russell 3000 board seats.

  • As of March 2025, women of color held 7.7% of corporate board seats among Russell 3000 companies.

Women of color remain rare among Fortune 500 CEOs.

  • In 2026, women of color accounted for only six Fortune 500 CEOs, according to Fortune's reporting on executive changes entering 2026.
  • As of June 2026, only two Black women were serving as Fortune 500 CEOs.

THE LEADERSHIP PIPELINE

Women continue to lose representation as they move up the corporate ladder.

  • Women represent 49% of entry-level employees but only 29% of C-suite positions.
  • The largest early-career gap remains the move from individual contributor to manager: in 2025, 93 women were promoted to manager for every 100 men.
  • The gap is even greater for women of color, with 74 women of color promoted to manager for every 100 men.

With a fresh take on what it means to provide opportunities for women in the automotive industry, SBN has held Women's Leadership Forums the past three years. More than 50 women have participated every year, where they spent three days networking and learning how to advance their careers. Hear about their experiences and what benefits they were able to get from attending.

Hear from attendees on their experiences and the benefits of joining this event.

"I was able to take a risk and put myself out there. I met some great women through networking and have already exchanged conversation with them after the event. I loved the "queen bee" syndrome Angelia spoke about. I also enjoyed Shaundra's story of her first failed talk but not giving up, Erin King brought a lot of energy, and I loved the borrow someone's cape tip. I took a personal impact on the importance of my own health and fitness and how that effects my day-to-day decisions, engery level/my ability to work better."
—Katlin Weber, T Sportline

All of the speakers and all of the topics helped to bring self awareness and a reinvigorated focus on personal motivation to be better. Whether it is to be better as a leader, communicate better, approaching topics differently, choosing to not be a victim and working to overcome your own securities, it was a space to share and gain empowerment with other women. Sometimes all we need is to be brought together.
—Kira Daczko, Universal Technical Institute

This was my 2nd year attending and I was able to make even more connections this year. It has impacted me professionally and personally by stepping out of my comfort zone, being fearless and learning to use my voice more.
—Tricia Emurian, Yamaha Motor Corp.

Panelists smiling and speaking
Women posing for her headshot

"SBN leadership gave me the confidence and boost I needed to advance my career. I realized I was selling myself short by setting my goal out at such a long term, when I am ready now and I don't need to wait on anyone to teach me or show me what I need to learn: I can teach myself and study and learn it on my own. There is nothing that in unattainable. SBN taught me some leadership skills I was lacking that were so beneficial, that not only will help me, but more importantly, help my teams that I lead!"
—April Rogers, Dee Zee Inc.

"I'm new to the industry and it helped me come out of my shell and network. I also learned a little more on how I could better my company as a female owner, and how to talk to my employees and have them take me seriously. In addition to networking activities, the event included sessions with expert speakers, several that were led by the world-renown Dale Carnegie program. Topics focused on creating and building skill sets in high-performance leadership, dealing with difficult people and emotional intelligence."
—Christina Storm, Ikon Industries LLC

Empowering and inspiring! Being surrounded and motivated by all the businesswomen is a one-of-a-kind experience. Looking forward to the 2025 WLF!
—Ashley Miller, Fox Factory Inc.

Large group of participants posing for photo
Particpants seated at tables listening to panel discussion

"It was refreshing to be surrounded by other positive and empowering women, discussing both personal and professional development and leadership opportunities. At times I forget there are many powerful women in this industry, so networking with everyone in attendance was a priceless experience for me."
—Mallorie Anderson, QA1

MORE TESTIMONIALS

WHO IS SBN?

The SEMA Businesswomen's Network is a dynamic group of professionals representing the women of SEMA. The SBN oversees the continued development and management of the SEMA Mentoring Program, the Annual SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, opportunities for SBN Member Networking, SBN Communications, SBN Projects, development of articles and member features, contributes regularly to SEMA Member News, and much more!

SBN DIRECTOR

Nicole Bradle - SBN Director - headshot

Nicole Bradle

nicoleb@sema.org
909-323-2149