Introducing Our 2026 Changemaker Ambassadors
We are thrilled to announce our inaugural Changemaker Ambassador Program - spotlighting extraordinary women working across diverse roles within and adjacent to the automotive industry. From professional race car drivers and motorsport officials to apprentice automotive electricians, diesel mechanics, EV engineers, transport advocates, and corporate communications leaders, these trailblazers represent the breadth and depth of opportunity our industry offers.
Using their stories, skills, and platforms, our ambassadors will inspire you to explore new areas of automotive - whether that's officiating at Formula One, leading sustainability initiatives, mentoring the next generation through trades, or breaking barriers on the racetrack. Each ambassador brings lived experience and passion to their field, acting as role models, content creators, and connectors who will strengthen Women in Automotive's industry presence and reach.
Together, they're proving there's no single path to success in automotive, just the courage to back yourself, chase your passion, and create meaningful change. We're honoured to have them leading the way in 2026 and beyond.
Meet our Changemaker Ambassadors below and get ready to be inspired!
Casuarina Smith (CJ) – Transport Advocate & Truck Driver With a Multi-Combination and Dangerous Goods licence, CJ operates some of the world's largest road trains. Through her platform of 270,000+ followers, she's raising awareness and inspiring more people - especially women - to explore diverse career pathways in transport.
April Ryan – Level 2 Motorcycle Coach & Board Director, Motorcycling Queensland. Queensland's only female road-race Level 2 Motorcycling Australia coach, April founded Track Start Training and East Coast Female Riders, a community of 10,000+ women. She serves on multiple boards including MQLD and is passionate about creating pathways for women and juniors in motorcycling.
Ashley Belteky – Diesel Mechanic, Trainer & Founder of Blue Leader Ashley's career began with a Year 10 work experience "mistake" that led to an apprenticeship with Cummins. Now a trainer, podcast host (Tradies Who Lead), and Non-Executive Director of Tradeswomen Australia, she's empowering trade teams with leadership skills.
Claudia Muller - Claudia leads strategic communications, media relations, and reputation management at Audi Australia as their Senior Executive of Corporate Communications. With a background in automotive and motorsport, she's spent five years at Audi delivering impactful communications across brand storytelling, crisis management, major launches, and strategic partnerships. Passionate about improving visibility and opportunity for women in automotive, Claudia is committed to sharing her experiences to support the next generation.
Paige Raddatz – Professional Race Car Driver At 21, Paige has recently been announced as representing Australia in Japan's Kyojo Cup Championship in 2026. Racing since age seven, she's aiming for the F1 Academy and deeply committed to increasing visibility for women in motorsport while showing what's possible through determination and belief.
Carol Armstrong – Motorsport Official & FIA Outstanding Official of the Year 2024, Carol began racing karts at age 12 in Ireland before transitioning into officiating at 18. She's since officiated at over 50 Formula One Grands Prix, MotoGP, Supercars, and the Bathurst 12 Hour across multiple continents. In 2024, Carol received the FIA Outstanding Official of the Year Award. This year, she's Deputy Chief for the Australian Grand Prix, leading 100-150 officials. Through the FIA Women in Motorsport programme and Girls on Track initiatives, Carol mentors young girls and women, helping them build confidence in motorsport.
Eleni Mitakos – Founder of Galmatic Since 2007, Eleni has empowered over 1.3 million Australians through hands-on automotive education. The inaugural Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award winner (2023), she's demystifying car maintenance and building confidence for drivers nationwide.
Raffy Sgroi – Founder & Director, Car Mechanical Services A 2025 Australian of the Year finalist (Local Hero), Raffy has led Car Mechanical Services for over 20 years, achieving 40% female trainee employment. She created the TODEI program to develop leadership and embed inclusive workplace practices across the industry.
Blossom Fernandez – Electric Vehicle Engineer With a master's in automotive engineering and postgraduate EV certification in progress, Blossom serves on EV standards committees, volunteers for STEM programs, and mentors engineering students. Her mission: encourage girls and women to chase their automotive passion at full throttle.
Annabelle Rolfo – Racing Driver & Founder of Ignite Autosport began go-karting at age 10 and competed in the Australian Karting Championship before stepping away during COVID-19. In 2025, she returned to make history as part of the first father-daughter duo to start the Bathurst 6 Hour. Now leading her own amateur team, Ignite Autosport, Annabelle is working toward the 2026 Bathurst with dreams of racing full-time in Supercars - all while studying Law (Honours) and working as a paralegal, proving you can chase multiple passions at once.
Belinda Narbey – Belinda's career spans manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz retail, and Volkswagen Group Australia's OEM world, where she contributed to national brand programs. Today, as Marketing Manager at LIQUI MOLY Australia, she leads brand, events, and partnerships across aftermarket and motorsport—driven by connection, growth, and proving there's no single path to success in automotive.
Kirsten Fitzpatrick – Kirsten is a passionate advocate for women in trades. As an apprentice automotive electrician at Westgold, she's also training as an apprentice medic, completing a Diploma of Management, and serving as a Lieutenant firefighter and site Captain. Balancing multiple demanding roles, Kirsten is committed to inspiring more women to explore automotive and trades, showing there's no limit to what you can achieve.
"The program spans sectors from heavy vehicle operations and trades to motorsport, executive leadership, and electric vehicle engineering, reflecting the breadth of career opportunities available to women in automotive and adjacent industries.
"This program is truly game-changing for Women in Automotive and for me personally," said Kate Peck, Director of Women in Automotive. "These women are creating tangible change across our industry — from the track to the workshop, the boardroom to the road."
"They're reaching into areas that aren't always glamorous or celebrated, and they're doing it with incredible class and purpose," Peck continued. "It's an honour to collaborate with such powerful advocates. As the saying goes: if you can't see it, you can't be it. Visibility is one of our most powerful tools, and these women are making sure every woman knows there's a place for her in automotive."
Kate Peck
Director & Changemaker Program Leader
Women in Automotive
Alana Baratto
Cheif Marketing Officer
Ducati Aus NZ
Our first overachiever to discuss this hot topic with us is the Chief Marketing Officer at Ducati Australia New Zealand - Alana Baratto. Your author (Kate Peck) has known Alana for many years and seen her unwavering and sometimes unsustainable level of commitment to motorcycles, the sport of motorcycling, her numerous volunteer roles as a Board Director with Motorcycling Australia (MA) and the FIM (International Motorcycling Federation) and her dedication to women entering motorcycling as a sport on the MA Women's Committee.
I know she knows that work-life balance doesn’t exist, but would Alana tell me the truth?
Alana - “I do not think I am qualified to answer this question, ladies! I think I will always be searching for the solution to this problem, if you have the answer please send me your insights…
On a serious note, it is true that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. However it is also true that if you love what you do and it is your passion, it can often become a constant pursuit.
Whilst work life balance is a problem for me and most probably will always be a problem for me, I do often see something much scarier and that is losing the passion for this industry and (motorcycling) sport all together.
I have seen many colleagues pursue different careers or industries over the course of my career because they did not balance the work and enjoyment elements of the industry and sport.
For me, it is key to ensure that I balance this aspect, taking the opportunities to ride and attend races, ensuring that I continue to enjoy and keep my passion alive.”
So that’s how she does it! Remain astute in checking in with yourself, before you lose the love or suffer burn out. If you do either, you’re no good to anyone.