Women in the Industry 2026
Connection, conversation, and a room full of perspective. Our Women in the Industry event returned last Thursday for another impactful evening at One Drivers Club in Redmond. The night brought together a diverse group of enthusiasts and professionals for a thoughtful panel discussion centered around the realities of building a career in the automotive world.
Following a lively social hour, guests settled in for a moderated conversation led by Avants Seattle Director, Shabi Soliamani, and National Director, Krissy Wells. This year’s panel featured an incredible group of women from across the industry—spanning motorsports, business ownership, media, and technical trades—each sharing their unique path, the challenges they’ve faced, and the mindset it takes to keep moving forward.
From navigating self-doubt and imposter syndrome to redefining success on their own terms, the conversation offered an honest look at what it means to carve out space in a traditionally male-dominated industry. More importantly, it created an environment where attendees could see themselves reflected in those stories—whether they’re just getting started or continuing to grow within the space.
Thank you to our incredible panelists for their openness, vulnerability, and willingness to share:
Daria Bakai – Professional Rally Driver & Owner, Chris’s German Auto & Plateau Motors
Heather West – Certified PPF Specialist, Blue Star AutoSalon
Lindsey Jesch-Alonzo – Automotive Writer, Podcaster & High Performance Driver
Christine Scholl – Pro3 Race Car Driver, ICSCC License Director & Instructor, Proformance Racing School
Yoon Joo Fiorito – Co-owner, Pacific Raceways
A special thanks to One Drivers Club for hosting, as well as to DirtFish WiM and Proformance Racing School for their ongoing support. Save the date for March 18th, 2027!
