Strategic planning is a cornerstone of success in the automotive industry, as Aaron Rolfsrud illustrates in his comprehensive guide to business development. By combining market analysis, competitive positioning, and customer engagement, he demonstrates how businesses can craft adaptable strategies to thrive in a rapidly evolving market. Rolfsrud underscores the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, performance monitoring, and embracing innovation to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. With a focus on emerging technologies like electric vehicles and automation, the article provides a roadmap for automotive companies to maintain a competitive edge and drive sustainable growth in a dynamic landscape.

Joice Wirkus is a seasoned marketing executive known for driving transformative growth across leading retail and nonprofit organizations. With more than 20 years of experience, she brings a unique blend of strategic insight, data-driven decision-making, and creative leadership to every role. From leading national brand campaigns and launching loyalty platforms to optimizing digital performance and building inclusive teams, Joice’s work has consistently delivered measurable results. Currently Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona, she continues to shape impactful strategies that elevate mission-driven work and strengthen community engagement.

Cairo Amani is a seasoned customer success executive, tech industry thought leader, and career coach dedicated to transforming customer engagement through strategic leadership and data-driven decision-making. With over a decade of experience spanning customer success, sales, and recruitment, she has built and led high-performing teams that drive retention, loyalty, and business growth. Passionate about mentorship and inclusion, she co-founded ThriveNetwork to support women and gender nonconforming professionals in navigating careers centered on customer relationships. Amani’s expertise in customer advocacy, team development, and market research has made her a sought-after leader in the tech industry, continuously shaping innovative programs that elevate customer experience functions and empower professionals to succeed.

Lara Barlow is a seasoned executive leader with 25 years of experience in digital media, publishing, marketing, business transformation, and operations management. She has a proven track record of driving revenue growth, optimizing business operations, and leading high-performing teams in small to mid-cap companies across the digital publishing, media, and travel industries. As a former vice president at TVO and general manager & acting COO at Travelzoo, Lara has successfully led strategic turnarounds, expanded global partnerships, and executed digital-first initiatives that increased engagement and revenue. Her expertise spans fundraising, governance, digital marketing, and strategic partnerships, making her a valuable asset to companies looking to scale and innovate. With board experience at 360°kids, an international MBA in marketing and strategy from Schulich School of Business, and leadership training from Kellogg School of Management and the Richard Ivey School of Business, Lara is well-equipped for governance roles. She is fluent in English, proficient in Spanish, and has international experience across Europe and APAC, strengthening her ability to lead global business initiatives. Lara is now seeking corporate board opportunities where she can leverage her expertise in business transformation, operational strategy, and digital growth to help organizations scale, innovate, and achieve sustainable success.

I am excited to share my professional biography, which highlights my journey in client retention, strategic business development, and leadership. With over 37 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to helping businesses retain key clients, drive profitability, and create lasting relationships. I invite you to explore my story and connect with me to discuss opportunities for collaboration.

L. Antoinette Ward is a visionary marketing executive with nearly two decades of experience driving revenue growth, digital transformation, and brand engagement across B2B and B2C industries. As Vice President of Marketing at Hibu, she has generated over $1 million in annual revenue through innovative lead generation strategies while optimizing prospect segmentation and digital engagement. A strategic leader with expertise in content marketing, automation, and analytics, she has successfully enhanced brand reputation, increased conversion rates, and developed impactful sales support tools. Beyond marketing, she is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, pioneering corporate initiatives that foster a culture of belonging. With an Executive MBA from The Pennsylvania State University, Ms. Ward continues to lead with insight, innovation, and a results-driven approach to business success.

I am excited to share my executive biography, highlighting my journey across sales, customer success, strategic planning, and leadership in both corporate and nonprofit sectors. My goal is to leverage my experience to help organizations scale, improve customer engagement, and drive meaningful business outcomes.

I’m excited to share my executive biography, detailing my journey in B2B marketing, go-to-market strategy, and revenue growth leadership. My passion lies in helping businesses scale through strategic marketing execution, digital transformation, and customer engagement. If you’re looking for insights on driving business growth, optimizing demand generation, or enhancing sales enablement, I’d love to connect!

Ava Bakhtiar is a dynamic real estate broker and seasoned business consultant with a proven track record in strategic growth, brand development, and operational efficiency. With experience spanning real estate, marketing, and business development, she has worked with high-profile brands to drive engagement, optimize processes, and increase profitability. Her expertise in fundraising, software efficiency, and regulatory compliance has made her a trusted advisor in multiple industries. Armed with a strong background in media and communications, she seamlessly blends analytical insight with creative strategy to deliver innovative solutions. Known for her professionalism, results-driven approach, and ability to build lasting relationships, Ava continues to make a significant impact in both real estate and business consulting.

Gregory G. Lee is a seasoned sales and marketing executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in the manufacturing, automotive, trucks/trailers, and aftermarket components industries. Known for his ability to drive revenue growth, optimize sales teams, and execute strategic market expansions, Greg has successfully led high-performing teams across private equity and corporate environments. His expertise spans sales management, business development, P&L oversight, and global dealer channel management. With a strong track record in organizational restructuring and customer engagement, Greg is now seeking board advisory roles where he can leverage his extensive experience to help companies scale, optimize operations, and achieve sustainable growth.

Andrew Dillon is a pioneering business innovation expert and transformational leader with a track record of driving market expansion, technological advancements, and strategic growth across multiple industries. With experience founding and scaling five successful startups—several of which were acquired by major corporations—he has demonstrated an exceptional ability to identify emerging opportunities, develop disruptive solutions, and lead companies from ideation to commercialization. His expertise spans energy, digital solutions, electrification, and customer engagement, where he has guided organizations in unlocking multi-million dollar opportunities through innovative product development and strategic market positioning. As a trusted advisor and enterprise growth leader, Andrew bridges the gap between business strategy and technical innovation, empowering companies to navigate complex markets, expand their reach, and achieve long-term success.

Christine E. Wright is a seasoned business strategist and customer experience executive with over 30 years of expertise in data analytics, AI-driven business models, and digital transformation. She has worked with Fortune 500 and 1000 companies across telecommunications, high-tech, retail, and financial services, helping them optimize customer engagement, drive revenue growth, and implement scalable business solutions. As a former executive at Teradata, Convergys, and Sprint, as well as the founder of Customer Contact Insights (CCI), Christine has led multimillion-dollar initiatives, pioneered AI and cloud-based customer strategies, and developed a patented customer lifecycle marketing framework. A recognized thought leader, public speaker, and board member, she continues to leverage her deep industry knowledge and strategic insights to drive innovation, business transformation, and operational excellence.

Billy Cole is a seasoned creative director and brand strategist with over 40 years of experience transforming retail fashion, home décor, and luxury brands through innovative storytelling and marketing. Known for his instinctive approach and strategic vision, Billy has led award-winning campaigns for global brands like Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and White House Black Market, driving significant revenue growth and customer engagement. His expertise spans omni-channel marketing, content creation, and digital transformation, making him a sought-after leader in brand evolution. With a passion for pushing creative boundaries and crafting compelling narratives, Billy continues to shape the future of retail through his consultancy, Billy Cole Creative, and is actively seeking board opportunities to share his knowledge and leadership.

John Kollm is a seasoned executive leader with over 23 years of experience in retail, real estate, and operations, including 11 years at the corporate executive level. Specializing in acquisitions, site selection, pipeline management, and business scalability, he has successfully led large-scale expansion strategies and operational improvements for multi-unit retail brands. Currently serving as senior director of real estate & business development at Independent Pet Partners, John has played a key role in streamlining market analysis, lease negotiations, and store development, optimizing portfolio performance. His leadership extends to Rally House, Batteries Plus Bulbs, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, where he drove business growth, enhanced customer experience, and improved profitability. A dedicated community leader, John serves on the Woodbury, Minnesota Planning Commission and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Passionate about collaboration and strategic growth, he is seeking board opportunities where he can leverage his expertise to help businesses scale and succeed.

Adam Kapel is a seasoned marketing and growth strategist with over three decades of experience in shaping compelling narratives and driving brand differentiation for B2B technology companies. As a former CMO, CGO, and CRO, he has led marketing, sales, and account teams across industry-leading organizations, refining their positioning and accelerating revenue growth. Now, in his semi-retired advisory role at **KAP: Kapel Advisory + Production**, Adam is dedicated to coaching the next generation of marketing and sales leaders while continuing to craft impactful, client-centric stories that set businesses apart. His expertise lies in transforming complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives that resonate with customers, fuel engagement, and drive sustainable success in competitive markets.

I’m excited to share my executive biography, which highlights my journey as a growth-focused marketing leader. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about building brands, scaling capabilities, and driving transformational growth. I look forward to continuing to empower businesses and teams to achieve their full potential.