
Six women honored by WIN in advance of International Women’s Day
By onAnnouncements | Associations
The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) has announced the slate of honorees being recognized as 2025 Most Influential Women (MIW), including Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Board Member Erin Solis.
Solis, Square One Systems/Coyote Vision Group senior vice president, is one of six women to receive the award this year.
Other winners include:
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- Juliet Alleman, regional manager, CollisionRight
- Trista Anger, Western Canada coatings regional business manager, BASF
- Renee Sicotte, owner, Marion Auto Body and Glass
- Tanya Sweetland, OE Partnerships vice president, Caliber Collision
- Mandy Wynn, national training and support leader, DCR Systems
WIN made the announcement ahead of 2025’s International Women’s Day, celebrated on Saturday. It says the award honors women whose career achievements have enhanced the collision repair industry.
“More than 100 women have now been recognized as the Most Influential Women by WIN for their contributions to the collision repair industry. These professionals serve as shining examples of the vast opportunities that are available and a testament to the positive impact that women have in this and all other fields,” said Jenny Anderson, MIW Committee chair. “Through their dedication to excellence, commitment to community, and investment in the future through mentoring others, these extraordinary women have made a true impact in collision repair, and we can’t wait to celebrate them at this year’s conference!”
Solis said Thursday that she’s been lucky to have female mentors throughout her career, which she started when she was 16 years old at a Denver area family-owned shop.
“It was all women in the office,” Solis said. “The owner’s daughter was the manager, and our lead estimator was also a female, along with another estimator. I had those women as influences on my career right from the get-go.”
She said she still keeps in touch with the three women.
Alleman also started in the industry as a teenager.
“At 17 years old, when I decided I wanted to learn how to work on cars- I never pictured myself where I am now,” Alleman said on Facebook Wednesday. “To say that I’m honored, and humbled, to receive this recognition Is an Immense understatement. I’m so grateful to the people In this Industry that I’ve learned from, and my Collision Right family for believing In and supporting me In my continued growth, and for nominating me for this award.”
Solis said in her current role, she is blessed to work with three women who are all prior MIW winners, Solis said.
Elaine Sachire, a former MIW and founder of 20-Groups, continues to work with Solis as a consultant after Certified Collision Group, Inc. (CCG) acquired Square One Systems, including Coyote Vision Group, last year.
“I look at the women who have won in the past and the women who won with me this year and how do I even measure up? These women are amazing,” Solis said. “It is definitely very humbling. I love my job, and I get to come to work every day and do something I love. To be recognized for something at this level is hard to believe.”
Solis said another role model of hers is Amber Alley, SCRS chairman.
“Amber is definitely one of those women that I look up to, more than I ever get to express to her,” Solis said.
Alley was recognized for her contribution to the industry with the FenderBender Award during the Red Carpet Awards Night at the 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
“Our FenderBender award recognizes the top-notch owners and operators who are hard-working and dedicated to professionalism in this industry,” said Jay Sicht, FenderBender and ABRN editor-in-chief, during the ceremony. “Our winner [Alley] this year is continuing the culture of quality she found when she started at her shop 21 years ago as an assistant manager, and she’s also fostered a team based on work structure, OEM certifications, training, and quality repairs. In addition to OEM training, the shop includes a lot of I-CAR training, and most technicians are platinum-recognized. The shop also has ASE-certified technicians and takes advantage of training from Axalta and 3M.”
Alley has previously talked about the importance of creating a welcoming workplace culture for women.
“I think that [is] really important when dealing with the newer generation in the workforce and creating an atmosphere for young women to want to enter in on the shop floor,” Alley previously said. “I’ve been 30 years in a management position of some capacity in the industry, and I’ve never employed a woman technician. That’s a problem, and I want to change that.”
WIN has awarded 115 women with MIW awards since 1999, according to its website.
“Nominees are reviewed by an independent selection committee comprised of industry professionals, past MIW recipients, and WIN members who do not currently serve in any leadership capacity,” its website says.
Award recipients selection criteria includes:
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- Industry influence
- Professional accomplishments
- Mentorship
- Community service
Solis said WIN is important because it gives women deserved recognition.
“It is about celebrating all of us,” Solis said. “There may be a few women spotlighted every year but WIN really focuses on all of us.”
WIN’s 2025 Annual Conference will be held this year from May 5-7 at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. Register for the event here.
Solis says she’s been lucky to receive mentorship in her career and to provide it.
While running a small family-owned shop in Northern Colorado, Solis said she had the opportunity to mentor one of the owner’s daughters. The teenager was only a few years older than Solis when she started in the industry.
“I had that family-owned experience, where I had the women take me under their wings, and I got to do the same in my late 30s. It is kind of funny how it comes full circle.”
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Photo of Erin Solis, SCRS board member and Square One Systems/Coyote Vision Group senior vice president/WIN