We are thrilled to announce our inaugural Changemaker Ambassador Program – spotlighting extraordinary women working across diverse roles within and adjacent to the automotive industry. From professional race car drivers and motorsport officials to apprentice automotive electricians, diesel mechanics, EV engineers, transport advocates, and corporate communications leaders, these trailblazers represent the breadth and depth of opportunity our industry offers.
Using their stories, skills, and platforms, our ambassadors will inspire you to explore new areas of automotive – whether that’s officiating at Formula One, leading sustainability initiatives, mentoring the next generation through trades, or breaking barriers on the racetrack. Each ambassador brings lived experience and passion to their field, acting as role models, content creators, and connectors who will strengthen Women in Automotive’s industry presence and reach.
Together, they’re proving there’s no single path to success in automotive, just the courage to back yourself, chase your passion, and create meaningful change. We’re honoured to have them leading the way in 2026 and beyond.
Meet the ambassadors
Casuarina Smith (CJ)
Transport Advocate and Truck Driver. With a Multi-Combination and Dangerous Goods licence, CJ operates some of the world’s largest road trains. Through her platform of 270,000+ followers, she’s raising awareness and inspiring more people – especially women – to explore diverse career pathways in transport.
April Ryan
Level 2 Motorcycle Coach and Board Director, Motorcycling Queensland. Queensland’s only female road-race Level 2 Motorcycling Australia coach, April founded Track Start Training and East Coast Female Riders, a community of 10,000+ women. She serves on multiple boards including MQLD and is passionate about creating pathways for women and juniors in motorcycling.
Ashley Belteky
Diesel Mechanic, Trainer and Founder of Blue Leader. Ashley’s career began with a Year 10 work experience “mistake” that led to an apprenticeship with Cummins. Now a trainer, podcast host (Tradies Who Lead), and Non-Executive Director of Tradeswomen Australia, she’s empowering trade teams with leadership skills.
Paige Raddatz
Professional Race Car Driver. At 21, Paige has recently been announced as representing Australia in Japan’s Kyojo Cup Championship in 2026. Racing since age seven, she’s aiming for the F1 Academy and deeply committed to increasing visibility for women in motorsport while showing what’s possible through determination and belief.
Carol Armstrong
Motorsport Official and FIA Outstanding Official of the Year 2024. Carol began racing karts at age 12 in Ireland before transitioning into officiating at 18. She’s since officiated at over 50 Formula One Grands Prix, MotoGP, Supercars, and the Bathurst 12 Hour across multiple continents. In 2024, Carol received the FIA Outstanding Official of the Year Award. This year, she’s Deputy Chief for the Australian Grand Prix, leading 100-150 officials. Through the FIA Women in Motorsport programme and Girls on Track initiatives, Carol mentors young girls and women, helping them build confidence in motorsport.
Eleni Mitakos
Founder of Galmatic. Since 2007, Eleni has empowered over 1.3 million Australians through hands-on automotive education. The inaugural Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award winner (2023), she’s demystifying car maintenance and building confidence for drivers nationwide.
Raffy Sgroi
Founder and Director, Car Mechanical Services. A 2025 Australian of the Year finalist (Local Hero), Raffy has led Car Mechanical Services for over 20 years, achieving 40% female trainee employment. She created the TODEI program to develop leadership and embed inclusive workplace practices across the industry.
Blossom Fernandez
Electric Vehicle Engineer. With a master’s in automotive engineering and postgraduate EV certification in progress, Blossom serves on EV standards committees, volunteers for STEM programs, and mentors engineering students. Her mission: encourage girls and women to chase their automotive passion at full throttle.
Annabelle Rolfo
Racing Driver and Founder of Ignite Autosport. Annabelle began go-karting at age 10 and competed in the Australian Karting Championship before stepping away during COVID-19. In 2025, she returned to make history as part of the first father-daughter duo to start the Bathurst 6 Hour. Now leading her own amateur team, Ignite Autosport, Annabelle is working toward the 2026 Bathurst with dreams of racing full-time in Supercars – all while studying Law (Honours) and working as a paralegal, proving you can chase multiple passions at once.
Belinda Narbey
Belinda’s career spans manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz retail, and Volkswagen Group Australia’s OEM world, where she contributed to national brand programs. Today, as Marketing Manager at LIQUI MOLY Australia, she leads brand, events, and partnerships across aftermarket and motorsport – driven by connection, growth, and proving there’s no single path to success in automotive.
Kirsten Fitzpatrick
Kirsten is a passionate advocate for women in trades. As an apprentice automotive electrician at Westgold, she’s also training as an apprentice medic, completing a Diploma of Management, and serving as a Lieutenant firefighter and site Captain. Balancing multiple demanding roles, Kirsten is committed to inspiring more women to explore automotive and trades, showing there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
Why visibility matters
The program spans sectors from heavy vehicle operations and trades to motorsport, executive leadership, and electric vehicle engineering, reflecting the breadth of career opportunities available to women in automotive and adjacent industries.
“This program is truly game-changing for Women in Automotive and for me personally,” said Kate Peck, Director of Women in Automotive. “These women are creating tangible change across our industry – from the track to the workshop, the boardroom to the road.”
“They’re reaching into areas that aren’t always glamorous or celebrated, and they’re doing it with incredible class and purpose,” Peck continued. “It’s an honour to collaborate with such powerful advocates. As the saying goes: if you can’t see it, you can’t be it. Visibility is one of our most powerful tools, and these women are making sure every woman knows there’s a place for her in automotive.”
Kate Peck
Director and Changemaker Program Leader
Women in Automotive
