SINCE 1999
Driving Impact Across Australia
From our beginnings with the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce to becoming Australia's premier independent women in automotive organisation, we're committed to creating lasting change across every sector of the industry.
Who We Are
Women in Automotive (WinA) is Australia's leading independent organisation dedicated to connecting, empowering, and advancing women across all sectors of the automotive industry.
What started as a program in 1999 as an initiative within the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce has now grown into a nationwide movement with a community of more than 18,000 people. In 2024, on WinA’s 25th anniversary, we transitioned to independent ownership – giving us the freedom and flexibility to drive real impact across all of Australia, without state-based limitations.
We create meaningful connections and open doors for women in automotive through carefully curated experiences, engaging content, and genuine industry relationships. From apprentices in the workshop to executives in the boardroom, there's a place for every woman in this industry – and a place for her here.
Our motto is ‘stronger together’ and we live and breathe this as a community of women, non-binary people and men working together to increase equality in our industry.
We welcome all genders, races, and religions. The automotive industry belongs to everyone, and change happens fastest when the whole industry is part of the conversation.
Our Leadership
Rachel Reed Butler
Director
Rachel is one of Australia's most connected operators in the automotive industry, with close to three decades of experience across insurance, premium automotive brands and communications. She has held senior management roles with BMW Group Australia, Mercedes-Benz Australia and Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis) in media relations, partnerships and marketing, before building her own career in freelance communications and events. An expert networker with extensive contacts across industries nationally at the highest levels of influence, Rachel brings a combination of commercial experience, deep industry relationships and genuine commitment to advancing women across the automotive sector. Rachel joined the steering committee in 2019, when WinA was part of the VACC, and worked on the program in marketing and communications before leading its transition to independent ownership in 2024, and now drives the organisation's operations, partnerships, events and national expansion.
Kate Peck
Director
Kate is one of Australia's most recognised voices in motorsport and automotive media. She spent five years as co-host of RPM on Channel 10, served as a VJ on MTV Australia, and currently hosts The Aus Moto Show and ProMX broadcast. A FIA Motorsport Australia Girls on Track Ambassador since 2018, Kate brings a unique combination of media reach, industry credibility, and genuine passion for increasing visibility of women across all automotive sectors. Kate, the creative lead behind WinA, leads the organisations creative direction, social media expansion and content strategy delivering back to all partners and the community.
Our Values
The principles that guide everything we do:
Community
We believe in the power of connection. We create spaces where women can find their people, share experiences, and support each other – whether that's in-person at our one of our Signature Series events, online at a webinar or over a coffee at a local meetup.
Empowerment
We provide the tools, resources, and confidence women need to advance their careers and achieve their goals. From mentorship to career resources to a job board connecting talent with opportunity.
Impact
We're focused on creating measurable, meaningful change – not just conversation, but real outcomes. We work with and support our partners to advocate for women in our industry. We are two-time winners of the Newspress Australia "Driving Women Forward" award.
Authenticity
We celebrate real stories, real challenges, and real success. No corporate polish – just genuine experiences from women across every corner of the industry.
Our Journey
From Victorian roots to national impact
The Beginning
Women in Automotive launched as an initiative of the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce, recognising the need for a dedicated platform to support women in the industry.
Building Momentum
Throughout the 2000s, WinA grew steadily, establishing signature events, building a strong Victorian community, and becoming a trusted voice for women in automotive.
Industry Recognition
WinA gained significant recognition as the go-to organisation for women in automotive, attracting corporate partnerships and expanding reach beyond Victoria.
National Impact
The first ever WinA Signature Series event under the new expansion was held in Brisbane and sold out swiftly. Later in the year the flagship WinA Signature Series event in Melbourne sold out with 300 attendees. WinA won the inaugural Newspress Australia "Driving Women Forward" award. Corporate partnerships expanded to include leading automotive brands in Australia.
National Expansion
The WinA Signature Series event expanded into Sydney – selling out it’s first event there with 200 people. Our flagship event in Melbourne once again attracted a record crowd selling out 385 people in just 3 weeks. The WinA audience kept growing and growing week on week. Corporate Members expanded across bronze, silver and gold packages with a more targeted membership offering. WinA took part in the 2025 AADA conference, moderating the opening panel on “The strategic advantage of women in your business”. We won the News Press award from the industry for “Driving Women Forward”.
National Momentum
The Changemaker Ambassadors program launched with 12 ambassadors across trades, motorsport, engineering, and business. WinA ventured into Adelaide with the first Signature Series event for the ‘Power in Motion – Leading with Impact’ theme. This sell out event attracted 200 people. Back over on the east coast the Sydney Signature Series event once again sold out 200 people. Meanwhile WinA Directors Rachel and Kate visited Parliament House with partners MTA NSW/ACT to bring the industry skills shortage front of mind for key ministers and campaign for more support for women in our industry. Once again WinA took out the News Press award for “Driving Women Forward”. The Melbourne Signature Series event, moving to a bigger and new venue, sold out in a record of one week at a huge 430 people.
Be Part of Our Story
Join over 18,000 people shaping the future of Australia's automotive industry