General Motors Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala has been named one of 10 finalists in the Woman of Worth (WOW) Award, a Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) initiative.
The aim of the WOW Award is to recognise the worth and career of a woman in the motor industry or motorsport who has made an outstanding contribution.
This year, the nomination process included the automotive industry. A total of 30 nominations were received. These were whittled down to ten finalists by three non-voting jury members.
Now it is the turn of the 76 jurors from 53 countries to decide which woman deserves the WOW Award 2024. The winner will be announced on June 4, 2024.
Last year’s winner was Dr Astrid Linder of Sweden, the female crash test dummy inventor.
The co-ordinator of the WOW Award is WWCOTY founder Sandy Myhre from New Zealand, with help from Sabrina Parant of Belgium.
Executive WWCOTY president Marta Garcia said the award is an essential catalyst for promoting women in the automotive industry and motorsports.
“We are thrilled the industry has responded so well with so many nominations coming forward this year,”
The finalists in alphabetical order by surname are:
| Lexie Alford American adventure traveller | USA | At 21 years of age, Lexie shattered the world record for the youngest person to travel to every country by traveling to all 196 countries. |
| Arlena AmiriHead of Polestar Operations | Sweden | She created the necessary framework conditions so that the research team and partners can build a climate-neutral car by 2030. |
| Jess Bala Managing Director, GM Australia & New Zealand | Australia and New Zealand | She played a central role in Cadillac’s transition to an all-EV brand by the end of the decade. |
| Marta BlázquezFaconauto President | Spain | She is the only woman to lead an association in the automotive sector. |
| Claudia MarquezChief Operating Officer, Genesis Motor North America | USA | Under Marquez’s leadership, Genesis has strengthened its position in North America. |
| Luciana HerrmannRegional Communications Director, Latam Nissan | Mexico | Since its inception, Luciana has dedicated much of her work in communications to seek equity for women in the automotive industry. |
| Asako HoshinoExecutive Vice President, Nissan Motor | Japan | Asako Hoshino acts as brand champion and overseeing Global Marketing & Sales, Global Customer Experience, Global INFINITI and Global Aftersales. |
| Michèle MoutonShe became the first president of the FIA’s Women & Motorsport | France | As the only woman to win a World Rally Championship event and a constant top contender, she redefined expectations for female drivers. |
| Rachel SomaschiniRally and Race Driver | Italy | She is the first driver with cystic fibrosis to take part in a World Championship rally. |
| Angela ZepedaChief Marketing Officer of Hyundai Motor America | USA | She is an expert in marketing to women, with a keen understanding their retail habits. |
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