At the AIA Canada 2025 National Conference, Susanne Morello — previously Vice President of Marketing at Mevotech — highlighted the importance of strong female leadership in the auto repair industry. Despite commitments to improve diversity, the numbers remain alarming: only 15% of the sector’s workforce is female, and barely 2% of technicians are women. 

A sector still far from parity 

The situation is quite similar in Québec. According to the CCAQ, women represent 18% of the workforce in the automotive industry, but their presence drops to 6.4% in the skilled trades, and only 2.5% in bodywork.  

Concrete actions to change mindsets  

Susanne Morello calls for targeted actions: transparency in promotion and recruitment, structured mentorship, and better visibility of women in leadership positions. She also emphasizes the importance of getting out of your comfort zone to make your voice heard and claim your place. 

Mentorship, in particular, is an essential tool. According to McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2024, women with mentors are more likely to move into leadership positions. Initiatives like those from CSMO-Auto and the CCAQ also contribute to creating a more equitable industry. 

Towards a more inclusive and sustainable industry 

Some companies are already taking the lead. For example, Pfaff Automotive has set up dual training programs and adapted its facilities to support female technicians, reaching 5% women in its shops. This progress may be slow, but it shows that change is possible. 

By combining visibility, mentorship and inclusive infrastructure, Susanne Morello demonstrates that fostering female leadership depends not only on the desire to change, but also on a well-planned strategy. For the auto repair industry, this is an opportunity to build a stronger, fairer culture… one that’s clearly building for the future. 

Do you have a plan to support the integration of women in your organization?