Automotive News Canada - December 2023 - 18

18
* DECEMBER 2023
SPECIAL FEATURE
Automotive News Canada's Notable Champions of Diversity
program celebrates leaders within the Canadian automotive
industry who are committed to improving diversity, equity and
inclusion at their
organizations or
throughout the
wider sector.
Following a
public call for
nominations,
a panel
comprised
of leaders at
Automotive
News Canada and Accelerate Auto
selected the 2023 Notable Champions
of Diversity.
Christina
Morris
I
AGE: 44
TITLE: MANAGER, CUSTOMER
OPERATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS,
SUBARU CANADA
dentifying a challenge isn't the
goal for Christina Morris; it's conquering
that challenge.
" I need to understand how
and why it is, and then I have
to contribute whatever I can to
changing the trajectory for the better, "
said Morris, manager, customer operations
and communications at Subaru
Canada.
She applies this solutions-driven
approach to her job and her efforts
aimed at boosting diversity, equity and
inclusion within the auto industry.
While managing departments within
Subaru Canada, Morris has devoted
her spare time to making the automotive
work force reflect its customer base.
Without hesitation, she became one
of the founding members of Accelerate
Auto, a nonprofit organization focused
on increasing Black representation in
the auto industry.
Accelerate Auto colleague Jennifer
Okoeguale said Morris is " passionate
about working to make a difference for
those that come after her. As a founding
member, Christina was instrumental
in the initial idea, strategy and overall
direction of programming. "
Okoeguale cited Morris' involvement
in an Accelerate Auto initiative that invited
a group of Black students from five
high schools with the Toronto District
School Board to experience the 2023
Canadian International AutoShow. The
event was a success because Morris
was able to secure the support of
Subaru, which made the experience
that much more impactful for the students,
said Okoeguale. " She's always
looking for ways to promote diversity
and inclusion across the industry and is
a role model for simply doing the right
thing. "
Morris said although some barriers
have been reduced, hurdles remain,
particularly within the upper echelons of
franchised dealerships. " I am not aware
of a single Black-owned dealership in
Canada, even though automotive is one
of the largest industries in Canada. This
is a goal that needs to still be achieved. "
I am not aware of a single Black-owned
dealership in Canada, even though
automotive is one of the largest
industries in Canada. This is a goal that
needs to still be achieved. "
Shannon
Spano
F
AGE: 46
TITLE: VICE-PRESIDENT, SALES AND
MARKETING, WAKEFIELD CANADA INC.
or Shannon Spano, joining
Wakefield Canada 17 years
ago after a stint in the telecom
sector was a little disorienting.
" The early days of my
career was trying to understand
how to acclimatize to a male-dominated
industry, " said Spano, the Castrol
and lubricant distributor's vice-president of
sales and marketing. " I found I spent a lot
of energy just trying to fit in. "
But she soon got her bearings and, with
helpful mentoring, grew in her career. The
journey strengthened her sense this was a
place diverse people could thrive, she said.
Spano is leading efforts to improve diversity,
equity and inclusion at Wakefield and
in its relationships with customers. These
include being open to hearing employees,
launching education initiatives and measuring
the success of strategies launched by
the company's DEI committee through customer
surveys, leadership reviews and key
performance indicators.
" When you have a more inclusive culture
or space that people can bring their ideas
together and it's safe to ask questions
and offer opinions, that usually produces
high-performing teams and obviously leads
to greater outcomes, " Spano said.
Wakefield's work force is already quite
diverse, she said, but more can be done to
bring in people from different backgrounds,
cultures and genders.
" I'm really proud of my sales team. We
have amazing female salespeople, which
you don't see as much in our industry. "
The formula has worked well at
Wakefield, said Spano, and she has taken
this approach to the Automotive Industries
Association of Canada, of which she
became chair in April.
" I found that the more exposure I could
get to different perspectives across
industries and sectors, that it was really
MORE DIVERSITY CHAMPIONS ON PAGE 19
helpful in my overall career. "
DEI at Wakefield is " organic, " she said.
The DEI committee promotes awareness
and education, highlighting different cultures,
and provides training on issues such
as unconscious bias.
Training can be applied both within
Wakefield and in relations with customers,
and builds a greater sense of community,
Spano said.
It still can be difficult to start a conversation,
she said. DEI has become " buzzy " in
society and people can be defensive.
" Sometimes when you approach those
conversations, it comes from a place with
an agenda versus a curiosity. Sometimes I
find that the reception on the other side is it
feels like a threat. "
But for people to open up, it has to start
with that conversation, Spano said.
About
Accelerate Auto
Accelerate Auto is a not-forprofit
organization dedicated to
increasing Black representation
in the Canadian automotive
industry. It provides Black
talent and youth with access
to mentorship for skills building
and peer networking to support
professional growth and
career development. Accelerate
Auto facilitates career pathing
through internships to attract
more Black talent to automotive
and build awareness of
opportunities within the industry.
Accelerate Auto is dedicated
to creating a stronger and more
diverse automotive work force.
Automotive News Canada - December 2023

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