Nashville, Tennessee — AkzoNobel is doing its part in trying to make the end of 2020 a positive experience for the automotive industry.
AkzoNobel has once again committed to the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) as their exclusive diamond sponsor. This sponsorship will support many of WIN’s initiatives including scholarships, the most influential women program, mentoring program, regional events, and the annual education conference.
“At AkzoNobel, we want to make sure our workforce reflects the societies and markets where we do business because diverse teams enhance our ability to serve our customers. Therefore, AkzoNobel supports the WIN mission to drive the future of collision repair by attracting, advancing, and developing women,” said John Griffin, regional commercial director, Automotive and Speciality Coatings Americas.
In 1999, AkzoNobel created the most influential women award to help promote diversity and sustainability in the collision repair workforce. In 2006, WIN was established and AkzoNobel has been a top tier sponsor every year since.
“Our sponsors are key in WIN’s growth and ability to achieve our strategic initiatives to strengthen our network, resource our industry and expand our capacity,” says Cheryl Boswell, WIN Chair. “We appreciate and thank AkzoNobel for its commitment to women in the industry through the creation of MIW and continued WIN financial, leadership, and resource support since our inception.”
The company passed the stewardship to the most influential women awards program to WIN in 2013, and since then, over 90 women throughout North America have been recognized as the leaders in the industry and the communities that they serve.
The WIN sponsorship is designed for companies who consider themselves leaders in the automotive sector by addressing the challenges facing the collision repair industry. This includes the engagement of women as vital contributors to the workforce.
“Being part of an organization like WIN allows us to champion some of the key issues facing our industry today; namely the development, advancement, and retention of women,” says Michelle Sullivan, a strategic sales manager for AkzoNobel and Speciality Coatings North America and past WIN chair. “WIN does a great job of connecting women to the industry at a deeper level.”
Since 2006, AkzoNobel had numerous employees, distributors, and customers involved in the WIN board and on various committees.
“AkzoNobel takes great pride in its sponsorship of WIN by driving industry leadership within its membership,” says Brad Hendricks, regional sales manager, Automotive and Specialty Coatings U.S. He adds, “It is extremely important to AkzoNobel as a company to support and inspire women to become great leaders within this industry and their businesses.”
WIN is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization. WIN recognizes excellence, promotes leadership, and fosters a network specifically for and among women. WIN drives industry sustainability by developing women through education and connections. For more information go to www.womensindustrynetwork.com.
