Expert Talks: Insights and Innovations in Automotive

Stephanie is part of a new wave of automotive professionals redefining how cars are sold. With a strong presence on social media (including several viral TikTok videos 🎥✨), she’s building her brand by showing the process of buying a car in a way that’s transparent, fun, and customer-first. In this episode, we talk about: ● How Stephanie uses TikTok and social media to connect with buyers ● Why modern sales processes matter more than ever ● Breaking away from the “old shady” car sales stereotype...

🚗✨ In this episode of I’m A Car Chick, Shasta Haddock sits down with Vivian Liu—CEO and founder of MAE (Making Auto Easy), startup powerhouse, and one of BC Business’s Top 30 Under 30. Oh, and did we mention she’s only 31 years old and has already accomplished what most people hope to do in a lifetime? 👏 Vivian’s journey is straight-up inspiring. At just 21, she dove headfirst into the auto industry after winning a GM marketing competition—eventually managing 30+ dealerships and leading Cadilla...

In this episode of the I'm A Car Chick Podcast, we explore what it really takes to thrive in the automotive industry — from building confidence to embracing authentic leadership. 🚗✨ The conversation highlights how passion, purpose, and resilience come together to help professionals not only stand out but also create lasting impact in their careers and communities. Listeners will hear powerful insights on overcoming challenges, building meaningful connections, and leading with authenticity. Whet...

Fresh off the heels of the Women In Automotive Conference, Shasta sits down with Heather LeMay — Product Manager at The AutoMiner and a powerhouse in data hygiene solutions. Heather brings her passion for clean, quality data and API integrations to the conversation, but also her deep commitment to mentorship and empowering women in automotive. In this episode, they talk about the energy and takeaways from WIA Nashville, the value of mentorship programs, and why building strong connections across...

In this episode of the I'm A Car Chick Podcast, we sit down with Jennifer, a familiar face in the automotive space and a passionate advocate for connection, mentorship, and community. Recorded live at the Women in Automotive conference, Jennifer dives into the importance of networking, creating safe spaces, and building relationships that empower women and elevate the industry as a whole. From mentoring panels to one-on-one connections, she shares why collaboration is the key to growth and how ...

From cult member to CEO — Robin Wilson’s story is raw, real, and unforgettable. 🚨 In this episode, she opens up about breaking free from trauma, cutting ties that held her back, and rewriting her life on her own terms. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your past, this conversation is proof that you can take back the pen and write a new story. ✍️🔥 Don’t miss this powerful episode! Reach out and follow Robin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinwilsonscp/ https://www.facebook.com/robin.wilson.353 h...

In this episode of the I’m A Car Chick Podcast, Shasta chats with Lori Berkson, VP of Sales at DealerStream and a powerhouse with more than 30 years of automotive industry experience. Lori takes listeners through her career journey — from breaking into the industry in the early ’90s after a pivot from fashion, to leadership roles with well-known companies like Visible Customer, VinSolutions, and now DealerStream. She shares stories about the mentors who shaped her path, the lessons learned from ...

On this episode of the I’m A Car Chick Podcast, Shasta sits down with Erin Zaborac — a 30-year industry veteran who’s done just about everything in the dealership world, from filing paperwork in high school to leading marketing at DealerOn. Erin opens up about the scenic route her career has taken — the pivots, the passion for digital, the lessons learned in service, parts, sales, F&I, and marketing — and what it really means to grow in this industry while also raising three kids as a single mom...

On this episode of the I’m A Car Chick Podcast, Shasta sits down with Dr. Alison Burnham — a powerhouse in data, technology, and automotive who’s now the CTO of AutoUnify, an automotive retail startup in Los Angeles. They dive into Alison’s fascinating journey: from earning her PhD in mathematics and pioneering statistical process control in auto plants, to building loyalty and predictive analytics programs for massive brands across fashion, banking, sports, and ultimately automotive. Alison sha...

On this episode of the I’m A Car Chick Podcast, Shasta chats with Allison McConeghy — a powerhouse in automotive tech and the Lead Client Partner at Pinterest, calling in from metro Detroit. Allison breaks down what it’s been like to build Pinterest’s automotive vertical from a two-person team into a thriving engine that supports everything from GM and Ford to thousands of tier-three dealerships across the U.S. They dig into why Pinterest is more than a mood board (especially for car shoppers), ...

On this episode of the I’m A Car Chick Podcast, Shasta sits down with Stephanie Wedgeworth, Director of Sales Content at The RockED Company and a powerhouse with over two decades of experience shaping how organizations train, lead, and grow. Stephanie’s resume reads like a masterclass in sales enablement, leadership development, and high-impact learning. From building certification programs for automotive giants like Hyundai, Ford, and GM, to driving strategic content for modern SaaS platforms, ...

On this episode of the I’m A Car Chick Podcast, Shasta sits down with Stacy Cassio — Founder & CEO of the Pink Mentor Network and a nationally recognized leader in building mentorship-driven workplace cultures. They dive into the POWER of mentorship at conferences (like the upcoming Women In Automotive Conference in Nashville), why mentorship is critical to leadership development and retention, and how you can turn casual conversations at industry events into life-changing opportunities. Stacy a...

On this episode of the I’m A Car Chick Podcast, Shasta sits down for a powerful catch-up with Sydney Rizo — a name you’re going to be hearing a lot more in the automotive industry. Sydney first appeared on the show in May 2024, at the Women In Automotive Conference and was still a student at Northwood University. Now, just over a year later, she’s back with her MBA in hand, a string of leadership wins behind her, and gearing up to start her career as a Management Trainee at Toyota North America....

On this episode of the I’m A Car Chick Podcast, Shasta sits down with Shereen Thor — comedian turned coach, bestselling author, and keynote speaker at this year’s Women In Automotive Conference in Nashville. Shereen’s story is raw, hilarious, and deeply empowering. From sharing the stage with icons like Serena Williams and Prince Harry to helping women and people of color completely revolutionize how they show up in life and leadership, she’s not here to play small — and neither should you. They...

On this episode of the I’m A Car Chick Podcast, Shasta welcomes the unstoppable Aleya Harris — an award-winning speaker, marketing executive, and the spark behind Spark the Stage™. Aleya’s dynamic energy lights up this conversation as she shares how purpose-driven storytelling doesn’t just transform marketing — it changes leadership, company culture, and bottom-line results. As the CEO of The Evolution Collective, Aleya guides organizations to dig deep, find their radically authentic stories, an...

On this episode of the I’m A Car Chick Podcast, Shasta sits down with Lizz Callaway — an automotive powerhouse with over a decade of experience across sales, partnerships, and product management. Lizz is known for helping women in the industry navigate non-traditional career paths and use networking to open doors they didn’t even know existed. They dive into why networking is more than just shaking hands, how building real relationships has transformed Lizz’s own journey, and why leveraging your...

Mandy Deveau is a marketing strategist, speaker, and author focused on people-first leadership in the automotive industry. She started her career on the sales floor at 23, with no experience and no connections, just a drive to prove she belonged in an industry that often made her feel like she didn’t. Now the Marketing Manager for DriveHRIS and the creator of The People Side of Automotive, Mandy helps dealerships modernize their leadership mindset, improve team performance, and retain top talen...

Dr. Jen Fry is a Sports Geographer, tech founder, TEDx speaker, and sought-after speaker and educator. She owns JenFryTalks, an organizational change firm that sits at the intersection of conflict and culture. It specializes in transforming organizational dynamics by addressing how conflict and culture shape leadership and overall business outcomes. We work with leaders and teams to navigate and resolve conflicts that arise from differences, promoting an environment where diverse perspectives a...

Missy Washam and Mayce DelValle are leadership trainers and communicators who believe influence isn’t about a title—it’s about how you show up every single day. With backgrounds in education, business, and leadership development, they’ve spent years helping men and women lead with purpose, clarity, and heart. Together, they founded Mpactful Messages—a training and speaking company built for real-world managers in high stress environments. Their approach is simple: teach the truth, share the tool...

Jacki Lutz is an award-winning leader in content strategy and a driving force within the automotive aftermarket industry. As the Director of Content for the Auto Care Association, Jacki oversees a cross-functional, multimedia content strategy that shapes and delivers impactful initiatives across all platforms. Her work focuses on enhancing brand presence, engaging members, and advancing the association’s business goals. Jacki is also the host of Carpool Conversations, a signature show on Auto Ca...

Meshell Baker, the Chief Confidence Igniter, is a transformational keynote speaker, confidence catalyst, and phenomenal facilitator with over 20 years of experience helping organizations, teams, and individuals build unshakable confidence and resilience. Her book, UNSTOPPABLE: Embrace Your Unshakeable Confidence, empowers professionals to overcome rejection and unlock their potential. Recognized among the 100 Powerful Women in Sales (2023 & 2024) by Demandbase. Meshell has phenomenal results an...

You could say Jaime Zazove Herzberg was born into the car biz — quite literally. Raised in a family-owned dealership, she grew up immersed in every corner of retail operations. Over her 12-year run on the showroom side, she wore nearly every hat imaginable: from receptionist to BDC manager, from inventory to contracts, license & title, and everything in between. Now with nearly a decade on the vendor side, Jaime brings a 360-degree view of automotive—from both variable and fixed ops. But regardl...

Lisa is the founder and CEO of FeaturesFirst Auto, an EdTech company that offers dealers, corporate fleet owners, and insurers an on-demand microlearning platform designed to educate and motivate drivers to effectively use driver assistance technologies. As a thought leader, speaker, and educator, Lisa unites public and private stakeholders to address consumer understanding challenges around vehicle technologies. Her commitment to developing educational solutions spans generations, driving wi...

Erica Bruno was practically born with motor oil in her veins. Hailing from Southeastern Massachusetts, she grew up in a legendary car family. Her grandfather, Jack Barboza, made history as one of the first Portuguese male car dealers in the U.S., running up to 17 franchises at once. Her mother followed suit, breaking barriers as the 7th female Toyota dealer in the nation—and the first in New England. Even though her family tried steering her away from the business, Erica was hooked from the age...