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A Global Gathering Fueled by Progress
Bringing together 506 on-site attendees and 224 virtual participants, the summit drew representation from over 14 countries, including Canada, Germany, India, Mexico, the UK and the USA. It offered a dynamic platform for leaders and learners, fostering open dialogue between bold visionaries and quiet changemakers, for the ambition to grow and the courage to evolve.
Key Messages
“Know your value. Know that you’ve done the work to be here.”
Highlighting the business case for diversity, Dr. Charlene Wu of Toyota Research Institute revealed that diverse companies now outperform their peers by 39%—a leap from 15% just a decade ago. At TRI, 56% of her AI team are women, reflecting deliberate efforts to prioritize inclusive hiring and innovation. Her message was clear: the future of AI—and every industry—belongs to teams that value difference not just in demographics, but in thinking.
Key lessons
The summit’s impact extended far beyond inspiration, offering clear takeaways:
- Take a chance on yourself—even if you don’t feel ready yet
- Align your personal values with your work and lead with purpose
- Embrace uncertainty as a path to creativity and growth
- Make space for all voices to lead
- You don’t have to be perfect – just be present
Shaping What Comes Next
At a time when the automotive and mobility sectors are rapidly evolving, the summit reaffirmed that success will hinge on collaboration, resilience, and inclusivity. Attendees left with a renewed sense of agency—not just to navigate change, but to shape it.
“You don’t have to do it alone—just keep showing up, asking for support, and saying yes to the next challenge.”
Stay Connected with WAN
To receive exclusive insights, event highlights, and industry updates from the Women Automotive Network, subscribe to the newsletter and join the conversation. The next AWN Summit will take place in Stuttgart / Germany on 7 October 2025.
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