Women of Walser: Strong Through COVID-19

2020 has been a year of change for the Walser Automotive Group. A global pandemic. Navigating how to safely sell and service vehicles. Working from home. Virtual everything. But one thing that’s remained the same? Our commitment to supporting our employees personally and professionally.

Through all this change, Walser’s Employee Resource Groups have remained strong. Our meeting platforms may have transitioned to a digital space, but these affinity groups are more dedicated than ever to continue their support of Walser employees.

Women of Walser (WoW) is an Employee Resource Group focused on the recruitment, retention, and ascension of women at Walser and the automotive industry. WoW was formed in 2018 after Walser’s Chief Human Resources Officer Sherry Schultz recognized that many women in the company wanted more support and representation as they navigated industry challenges.

Despite women having a huge influence on car purchases—more than half of new vehicle title holders are women—females are barely represented in the automotive industry at around 18% of the population in dealerships, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women also influence up to 85% of car-buying decisions even if they are not the primary buyer, Forbes reports.

WoW is a conduit to provide more access to resources and opportunities that haven’t always been afforded to women in the industry, while also supporting employees’ growth within the company.

Despite COVID-19 and the challenges of social distancing, WoW recently held elections for its Leadership Board, welcoming Lindsey Trett, Mandi Calderon, and Madeleine Stevens.

As an ERG, WoW will continue its focus (virtually or otherwise) on the support of female employees in areas of business development, personal development, and community outreach and volunteerism.

This fall brings multiple virtual events for Walser employees including a parenting webinar, a virtual yoga class, networking events, and its quarterly meeting.

Walser Automotive Group is an automotive dealer group headquartered in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area featuring 17 retail locations. Walser also offers a premier luxury vehicle shopping experience at the Walser Auto Campus in Wichita, Kansas with nine high-line brands.

Interested in learning more about a career at Walser? Check out our latest openings here!