WIN Announces Opening of Most Influential Women Nominations

The winners will be recognized at a Most Influential Women gala held during the 2014 WIN Educational Confer­ence, May 5-7, 2014, at Paradise Point in San Diego. Nomination forms may be downloaded from the WIN website at www.Womens IndustryNetwork.com under the Most Influential Women tab.

The Most Influential Women award recognizes women who have enriched the collision repair industry with their leadership, vision and commitment to excellence. “Being recognized as one of AkzoNobel’s Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry was simultaneously humbling and empowering,” said Linda Sommer­hauser, owner of Autobody Color Company in Kansas City, Mo.

In addition to the MIW awards gala, where honorees are presented with a Tiffany’s crystal award and custom commemorative pin, WIN has added a new element to the program this year. Recipients will have the opportunity to invest in the future of Collision Repair by mentoring a WIN Scholarship winner as they continue their education toward a career in the industry.

“We felt this was an important way for seasoned professionals to embrace the future of our industry,” said Margaret Knell, chair of the MIW Planning Committee.

Honorees have held positions in every facet of the collision repair industry, as shop owners, body and paint technicians, managers, wholesalers, lobbyists, suppliers, insurance adjusters, consultants, educators, editors and writers and industry association directors.

The program’s charter aligns with WIN’s mission to “enhance the role of women in the industry” and has recognized more than 75 women for their professional accomplishments and for going beyond requirements of their positions to give back to their communities. More than 30 percent of MIW recipients are currently, or have previously, been members of WIN.

Established in 1999 by Akzo­Nobel, WIN acquired stewardship of the Most Influential Women program in 2013.

For more information about WIN or the MIW program, please go to www.womensindustrynetwork.com or email info@womensindustry network.com.