Alicia Thomas

Senior Vice President and Director of Market Engagement
Capital Automotive
McLean, VA

We are delighted to honor Alicia Thomas for her leadership, determination, and dedication to the automotive industry.

Alicia brings 20 years of diverse experience in the automotive industry, with roles including dealership financial statement auditor, credit analyst at Ford Credit, and real estate and facilities assistant at Jim Koons Automotive Companies. Much of her career has been with Capital Automotive Real Estate Services, where she has collaborated with dealer principals, CFO’s controllers, and automotive-related partners.

In her current role as Vice President of Acquisitions, Alicia and her team provide innovative real estate financing solutions to support automotive dealers in expanding their businesses or planning for the future. Her favorite aspect of her career is building relationships with seasoned automotive professionals and mentoring newcomers to the industry. Alicia’s message is clear: You can achieve anything you set your mind to!

Congratulations, Alicia and thank you for your remarkable contributions to pave the way for women in the automotive industry!

Rita Bragg

VP of Acquisitions
Capital Automotive
McLean, VA

We are delighted to honor Rita Bragg for her leadership, determination, and dedication to the automotive industry.

Rita brings over 35 years of experience in the automotive industry, specializing in management, marketing, sales, operational leadership of diverse teams, indirect lending and financing solutions to auto dealers through her more than 23 different positions in her career at Ford credit. Since joining Capital Automotive more than two years ago, she has made a significant impact by mentoring and guiding younger team members on their career journeys. Rita’s contributions and dedication make her truly deserving of this recognition!

Congratulations, Rita and thank you for your remarkable contributions to pave the way for women in the automotive industry!

Arabah Woodberry

Executive Director, Chase Auto’s Dealer Services
JPMorganChase
Phoenix, AZ

We are delighted to honor Arabah Woodberry for her leadership, determination, and dedication to the automotive industry.

With over 14 years of experience in the automotive industry, Arabah serves as an Executive Director within Chase Auto’s Dealer Services team. In her recently expanded role, she leads Dealer Services Emerging Markets, with a strong focus on Private Label Captive Financing. Arabah is dedicated to developing comprehensive financing solutions and programs that support minority-owned dealerships. She collaborates closely with the National Association of Minority Auto Dealers (NAMAD) to advance its mission of increasing the presence of minority-owned dealerships across the U.S. Her work with NAMAD includes initiatives in financial literacy, industry insights, succession planning, and advisory services tailored to support NAMAD’s dealers. Beyond her industry efforts, Arabah is passionate about educating consumers and communities by providing valuable resources and tools to navigate the car-buying process.

Congratulations, Arabah and thank you for your remarkable contributions to pave the way for women in the automotive industry!

Cherie Watters

Executive Director Automotive Operations
Sunroad Enterprises
San Diego, CA

We are honored to recognize Cherie Watters for her leadership, determination, and dedication to the automotive industry.

With a deep passion for the automotive industry, Cherie has been fortunate to learn from and be mentored by successful and inspiring auto dealers, gaining invaluable opportunities in an industry where women were not traditionally represented. Her career began in the business office, leading to roles as Controller, CFO, General Manager, and COO of a multi-brand luxury operation. She now serves as Executive Director of Automotive Operations for Sunroad Auto Group in San Diego, CA. Cherie has worked with a diverse range of franchises, from Rolls Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Bugatti to BMW, Ford, GM, CDJR, Toyota, Honda and more. Beyond the dealership, she has held leadership roles, including Member of the Genesis Dealer Retail Advisory Board, President of the Hyundai Motor America Advertising Association and co-founder of the Women’s Business Association in the San Gabriel Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Grateful for the opportunities to inspire others, she continues to share her insights as a speaker at industry events.

Congratulations, Cherie and thank you for your remarkable contributions to pave the way for women in the automotive industry!

Nicole Cockcroft

Service and Parts Manager
Headquarter Mazda
Orlando, FL

We are honored to recognize Nicole Cockcroft for her leadership, determination, and dedication to the automotive industry.

With over a decade of experience, Nicole has excelled as a Service Director, building and leading strong, cohesive teams while emphasizing the importance of work-life balance. She is passionate about continuous learning, teaching, and growing within the industry. A staunch advocate for women in automotive, Nicole is committed to creating safe and inclusive environments for female technicians, advisors, and all roles within the dealership.

As a mentor and coach, she provides guidance and support, helping her team develop their skills and grow professionally. Her leadership is rooted in mentorship, education, and fostering a reliable support system for her colleagues. Congratulations, Nicole and thank you for your remarkable contributions to pave the way for women in the automotive industry!