Women in Auto Care Announces the 2026 Women in Auto Care Award Winners

Shop Owner of the Year: Tenise Chapman Tenise Chapman, owner, Black Hills Tire, founded a full-service automotive repair and tire shop with her husband, Weston, eight years ago. The business has grown from a two-bay, three-employee operation into an eight-bay shop with 16 employees and $5 million in annual sales. Community involvement is central to the business, with Black Hills Tire donating more than $100,000 annually in recent years.

Chapman is also the founder of Camp DRIVE, a two-day, hands-on automotive program that introduces youth ages 12-15 to automotive careers through activities including welding, brakes, alignments, vehicle maintenance, engines, electrical diagnostics and tires. She is also involved with Western Dakota Technical College and the Build Dakota Scholarship Program, supporting pathways into skilled-trades careers and automotive technology education.

"This is truly an honor, as I feel it is a full circle moment," said Chapman. "My grandparents owned their own automotive repair shop for many years and received many accolades, but my grandmother was never able to receive any recognition because that's just how it was. I'm proud to represent her and many other women in accepting this award. I'm also excited to continue inspiring our younger generation to dream big, just like my grandmother encouraged me to."

Company Ally of the Year: AutoZone

AutoZone has supported Women in Auto Care for more than a decade through sponsorship, employee participation,

committee involvement, conferences and industry programming. AutoZone sends team members to the Women in Auto Care Leadership Conference and has supported educational sessions and special events, participated in scholarship selection and contributed to Women in Auto Care Tool Kit initiatives benefiting emerging automotive professionals.

The company also invests in leadership development and professional development opportunities. Since 2019, women's representation at AutoZone has increased to 44% of Board of Directors seats, 24% of vice president roles and 29% of management roles.

"Receiving the Ally of the Year award is a tremendous honor for AutoZone and a meaningful recognition of the values that define our culture: caring about people and embracing diversity. Since our founding, we have remained committed to creating an environment where AutoZoners and customers are empowered to grow, succeed, and reach their full potential.

"This recognition reflects our ongoing dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace and advancing opportunities for women across our industry. We are proud to be recognized for these efforts and remain committed to building a culture where everyone can thrive."

Women of Excellence: Samantha Higdon
Samantha Higdon-Schearer began her automotive career in 2017 at Schearer's Sales & Service, progressing from Client Service Representative to Service Advisor and ultimately into marketing, training and leadership responsibilities. She also founded ShiftPoint Training Academy, where she coaches automotive professionals in communication, leadership and professional development. In 2024, she was named AAPEX Service Advisor of the Year.

Since becoming involved with Women in Auto Care in 2024, she has participated in the Leadership Conference and AAPEX programming, served as a scholarship application reviewer and presented for the Generation Gap Connection Circle. She focuses much of her work on developing people, helping emerging leaders build confidence and connecting women with professional development opportunities.

"Receiving a 2026 Woman of Excellence Award is an incredible honor and a reminder of how much it matters to invest in people," said Higdon-Schearer. "I'm beyond grateful for the women and mentors who have encouraged me, challenged me and helped me find my voice in this industry. This recognition motivates me to continue creating that same opportunity for others, helping them feel supported, recognize their potential and grow into confident leaders."

Women of Excellence: Allison Moody Allison Moody, senior global marketing manager, Snap-on Equipment, leading strategic marketing initiatives across the automotive undercar, collision repair and heavy-duty sectors. Her work spans global markets and includes brand strategy, digital marketing, trade shows, content development and customer engagement.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Moody is involved with Women in Auto Care, MEMA Modern Industry eXpertise Council, the Auto Care Association, MEMA Marketing Executives Council and YANG. She serves as a Women in Auto Care Champion and partnered with Human Resources at Snap-on Equipment to help establish a Women in Leadership initiative focused on mentorship, collaboration, visibility and professional growth.

"Receiving the Women of Excellence Award is incredibly meaningful because so many people in this industry have encouraged me, opened doors and challenged me to grow," said Moody. "I hope to continue paying that forward by connecting people, creating opportunities and helping other women recognize their potential and know there is a place for them in this industry."

Women of Excellence: Kendra Mitchell
Kendra Mitchell, senior key account manager, TERREPOWER, serves as the primary liaison between TERREPOWER and O'Reilly Auto Parts for undercar product categories. She began her career with an employee-owned remanufacturer and joined TERREPOWER in 2023. She also serves on the YANG Events sub-committee and volunteers with Women in Auto Care's Auction and Events Committees.

Her industry engagement has included earning the Automotive Aftermarket Professional designation, speaking at Women in Auto Care and Auto Care Connect events and participating in mentorship and Connection Circle programming. Within TERREPOWER, she has advocated for enhanced parental leave policies and helped develop a company wellness initiative.

"Winning this award honestly feels unreal," said Mitchell. "I am incredibly honored and blessed to have been selected, and to me, this recognition means that the work I'm doing is making a meaningful impact in our industry. Knowing that truly makes my heart happy and motivates me to keep growing and making a difference."

Women of Excellence: Caitlin McGill
Caitlin McGill, national sales manager,WD-40 Company, has built her automotive aftermarket career around strategic customer relationships, sales growth and industry engagement. Her responsibilities include leading key customer relationships and collaborating across sales, marketing, supply chain and category management to support growth and customer strategy.

McGill is an active Women in Auto Care Champion, volunteers to support the Women in Auto Care Leadership Conference and participates in Connection Circles. She has also supported industry advocacy by encouraging participation in Right to Repair outreach and has taken leadership responsibility for PIES ® initiatives within her area of responsibility.

"Winning this award reminds me that growth happens when you keep showing up, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, and believing you have something valuable to contribute," said McGill. "I hope it inspires other women to say yes to opportunities that challenge them, believe in what they bring to the table, and never be afraid to take up space."

Champion of the Year: Dawn Fitzgerald
Dawn Fitzgerald, senior manager, marketing communications, Stryten Energy, has worked in the automotive aftermarket since 1998, beginning as a marketing coordinator and taking on increasingly broad responsibilities spanning marketing services, product information, motorsports sponsorships, events and marketing communications. She moved into her current senior manager role in 2025 and leads a marketing communications team supporting Stryten Energy's Transportation and Industrial business groups.

Her connection to Women in Auto Care dates back to its days as The Women's Board. After returning to the Women in Auto Care Breakfast at AAPEX in 2021, Fitzgerald became increasingly active in the community. She has attended the Leadership Conference, volunteered with the Awards and Auction Committees, reviewed scholarship applications, supported scholarship tool kit packing and participated in Empower Half Hours and multiple Connection Circles. Fitzgerald has also served on the Automotive Communications Council Board, including a term as chair, and participates in the MEMA Marketing Executives Council.

"Being named Champion of the Year is the highest and most meaningful honor I've received in my career," said Fitzgerald. "I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to give back to this organization by working alongside this extraordinary group of women who make our industry stronger and better for everyone. To be recognized by my peers as one of them is humbling, to say the least."

Learn more about the Women in Auto Care community, including upcoming events, scholarships and award opportunities at autocare.org/women-in-auto-care.