An interview with 2022’s Inspiring Automotive Woman of the Year, Jennifer Koontz
AVP European Airport Properties & Relations, Jennifer Koontz, was named the Inspiring Automotive Woman of the Year 2022 for her amazing work in helping to strike a better gender balance in the sector.
Standing out for her passion and commitment to mentoring, women’s networking groups, and for her exemplary leadership, Jennifer was named the overall winner in The Inspiring Automotive Women Awards 2022.
Now, as International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world, Jennifer offers advice to women wanting to progress in the workplace and tells us who inspires her in the automotive industry as well as what leaders can do to continue building gender balanced businesses.
"It’s often the case that women are over-mentored and under-sponsored"
What challenges do women in the sector face?
A big challenge that women face is understanding the opportunities that are available to them and how they can continue on a development path that helps them to advance their careers. It’s often the case that women are over-mentored and under-sponsored. Understanding how to upskill and develop networks is critical, and it’s so important to develop a strong personal brand and ensure you are visible in your team and wider organisation.
"You don’t need to be the finished product and you can grow into the role"
Can you name a woman in automotive that inspires you and why?
It would be impossible to name just one. It’s really all the women I work with, across all levels and departments, who are doing so many great things to inspire and support women in the workplace and the communities that we operate in that inspire me to do my best each and every day.
What advice can you give to other women who want to progress in their careers?
It’s more than OK to raise your hand for those opportunities! Reports have shown that women don’t go for job roles unless they feel they are 100 percent qualified, whereas men apply when they reach 60 percent. You don’t need to be the finished product and you can grow into the role. We should be pursuing challenging career steps, as well as talking about our own accomplishments and the accomplishments of the women around us.
"We need to keep our foot on the accelerator to make sure that our organisations mirror the customers we are doing business with and the communities that we are operating in"
What advice would you give to business leaders to better support women in the workplace?
I would challenge business leaders to not become complacent. We shouldn’t be satisfied with simply increasing numbers or moving women through the ranks. We need to keep our foot on the accelerator to make sure that our organisations mirror the customers we are doing business with and the communities that we are operating in. It’s about continuing to engage and creating practices and policies that are scalable and consistent.
We can and will continue to make significant improvements. As leaders, this means openly and authentically embracing individual differences, celebrating diversity, actively listening, and being curious and vulnerable when asking questions. Learning is a continuous process. We must bring others on the journey with us, lead by example and, most importantly, make everyone feel valued.
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