Expert Talks: Insights and Innovations in Automotive

📢 "Dealers should get in the game or plan their exit strategy." — A wake-up call for the automotive industry! In this powerful episode, Glenn Lundy joins hosts Shasta Haddock & Michelle Phelps to discuss the high-stakes future of car dealerships in 2025. 🚀 ✅ The tough reality of 2024 and why dealers must scale—FAST ✅ Glenn’s partnership experience—why he sold his shares after just 90 days ✅ The 800% Elite Club—scaling dealerships at massive volume with a team of experts ✅ The new success m...

📢 "If the data doesn’t move the way it should, it holds us back." — A bold statement that defines the future of the automotive industry! In this episode, Stephen Cottrell (Founder & CEO of Authenticom) and Mike Stanton (President & CEO of NADA) join host Shasta Haddock to discuss: ✅ How the automotive industry showed resilience despite challenges, including a winter storm 🌨️ ✅ The infancy of the NADA Vault—a 12-year journey to becoming an industry-standard product ✅ The importance of clean...

Mike Dorazio is a self-made entrepreneur, husband and father of 5. He has spent the past 35 years advancing his career and building his brand within the Automotive Industry. He started his Sales journey in Altoona, PA and worked his way up to becoming a Sales Manager, Finance Manager, General Manager and eventually a partner in a small Ford Store. Mike sold his interest in the Ford store and decided to change his career path. He accepted a position with Westlake Financial. He helped sign a...

In this episode of Chicks in Charge, we’re excited to have Sleiman Serhan join us. Sleiman leads the Automotive division at Inmar, transitioning from a finance and hedge fund background to automotive leadership. A CFA charterholder with a Masters in Quantitative Management and Business Analytics from Duke Fuqua, he joined Inmar's Automotive team in 2021. Sleiman actively contributes to Inmar Intelligence's Data Science and AI innovation lab, leveraging his expertise to drive advancements in auto...

This episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast is brought to you by Authenticom, and we’re excited to be podcasting live from their booth at NADA 2025—Booth #3319! Our guest today is Michelle Phelps, an accomplished leader with over a decade of experience in strategic planning and sales leadership within the automotive industry. As the Director of Sales at Authenticom, Michelle leads a dynamic team focused on driving revenue growth and client retention through innovative strategies. Her experti...

In this episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we are joined by Darrell Steed, a seasoned innovator and consultant in automotive dealership strategies. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Darrell has seen the challenges dealerships face and founded Smartwolf Consulting to provide transformative, sustainable solutions that break the cycle of repetitive mistakes. Darrell's journey started in the trenches of automotive sales and management, where he identified gaps in training a...

In this episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Erielle Gabay, a true Houstonian with a heart as big as Texas. Erielle brings style, passion, and purpose to everything she does—from her role as Marketing and BDC Manager at Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land to her unwavering advocacy for women’s empowerment, animal rights, and diversity. With a background in Communications from St. Edwards University and a Digital Marketing Certification from Rice University, Erielle is a po...

Robin Wilson is a successful entrepreneur and founder of SCP Agency and Epic BDC and now SOCIAL GRENADE. She has been serving the automotive community since 2013, offering innovative solutions and delivering outstanding results. With a passion for the industry and a drive to succeed, Robin has established herself as a leader in the field. Now introducing Social Grenade to the automotive sales industry, solving organic social media lead generation where it matters most!

In this episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we sit down with Kendra Southern, Fleet Services Manager at Big Star Ford and a seasoned professional with 27 years in the vehicle service industry. Kendra’s journey from service technician to service director—and now to fleet services leader—showcases her exceptional ability to drive growth and innovation in dealership operations. With a proven track record of increasing service revenue by 53% through streamlined procedures and team culture, K...

In this TEDx Southlake edition of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we’re joined by Justin Atherton, a seasoned law enforcement professional turned leadership and communication expert. With nearly two decades of experience as a detective, SWAT breacher, patrol sergeant, and training lieutenant, Justin brings a unique perspective on uncovering truths and developing authentic leadership. As the founder of Confidence Unchained, he empowers professionals to break through self-deception, strengthen their...

In this special TEDx Southlake edition of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome back the inspiring Kaylee Jewert—this time as a 13-year-old TEDx speaker! Kaylee's achievements in leadership, entrepreneurship, and public speaking are nothing short of remarkable. From winning a Gold Medal in Leadership Skills with the Colorado State Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and finishing in the top ranks nationally, to representing Colorado in Financial Literacy at the FBLA natio...

In this inspiring episode of the Chicks In Charge podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Kerri Wise, Chief Marketing Officer at AutoFi and a true trailblazer in the automotive industry. With a 25-year career spanning major brands like TrueCar, Edmunds, and J.D. Power, Kerri brings a wealth of insight into automotive sales and financing, digital transformation, and the evolving marketing landscape. Beyond her professional achievements, Kerri is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion, particul...

In this episode, we sit down with Becky Squyres, the dynamic National Director of Sales at Dealer Blue Sky. With over a decade of experience in sales leadership, Becky has consistently driven innovation and success for dealerships through cutting-edge marketing solutions and proprietary technology. As a champion for women in the automotive industry, Becky is committed to fostering inclusion and empowering others to succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her leadership journey spans key...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dana Nusbaum, an Account Executive at Cherokee Media Group with over a decade of experience in the automotive remarketing industry. Dana has been helping clients strategically target their marketing messages and elevate their branding across the automotive sector since 2021. Starting her career at IAA Wilmington, Dana went on to become a top sales professional at ADESA Raleigh, where she earned prestigious awards like Auction of the Year and Sales Team of the Yea...