Cox Automotive Australia (CAA) has shortlisted four finalists for the 2025 Barbara Cox Award, an annual celebration of high-performing women across the automotive sector put forward by their peers.
A winner will be announced on September 11 at the Women in Automotive Signature Luncheon in Melbourne at Zinc, Federation Square. The theme for the event is ‘Change Makers: Leading with Vision and Purpose’.
Broadening representation across the automotive sector is important, and Cox Automotive says it is proud to play its part in recognising valuable contributions made by women across all facets.
Nominations for the 2025 Barbara Cox Award were open to any woman working within the automotive industry across Australia. It was no easy feat to shortlist just four women from an outstanding field, said CAA HR Director and member of the judging panel, Silvia Balovcikova.
“The automotive industry is a major contributor to Australian economy, and it’s incumbent on all stakeholders to cultivate more inclusive workplaces – not only within their own businesses, but across the wider automotive sector,” Balovcikova said.
“Greater participation of women working in automotive will broaden the talent pool and create significant benefits for the entire industry. Celebrating all of our amazing nominees and our four finalists at a high-profile industry event, is a meaningful way to recognise their contributions.
“It also helps to shine a light on the importance of a diverse workforce, and the strengths female employees bring to any business in the industry.”
In addition to gaining well-deserved recognition across the sector, the winner will receive $5000 to spend on her personal development.
The nominees are:
• Samantha Reid (Zanotto): Product Director – Novated, Custom Fleet
• Carly Ruggeri: Director, Euro Panels
• Tegan Blockey: Dealer Principal, Bridge Toyota and Lexus of Darwin
• Leonie Knipe: Dealer Principal, Avon Valley Toyota, Isuzu Ute, Nissan and Mitsubishi
The 2024 Barbara Cox Award winner was Shai Copelin, Automotive Product Manager for TAFE New South Wales. The recipient of the inaugural 2023 award was Eleni Mitakos, Founder of Galmatic, an organisation that runs car maintenance courses for women and teenagers.
The annual award is named for the late Barbara Cox, a business pioneer and director of Cox Enterprises, Cox Automotive’s US-based parent company. It recognises women who demonstrate business leadership and community advocacy, as well as a commitment to advancing the industry.
More about the finalists:
Samantha Reid (Zanotto):
Reid’s story has seen her move from the go-kart tracks of Adelaide to the boardrooms of automotive heavy hitters. She has been described by those who know her as a “captivating and inspiring leader” with a knack for unravelling complex problems.
As Product Director – Novated at Custom Fleet, she oversees an important facet of the business, one that has grown with the wider uptake of EVs. Beyond this, she is also giving back to the sport she loves as a Non-Executive Director at Motorsport Australia and a Director at Karting Australia.
Reid was a junior karting champion, test driver for the Nissan Motorsports Development Series, senior trainer at Murcotts Driving Excellence, and Chair of Women of the Australian Motor Sport committee 2015-2017. She has also held senior roles at both Mazda and Nissan in Australia.
Carly Ruggieri
Ruggieri is described by colleagues as a trailblazer and leading authority in the automotive industry, a powerful advocate for change, and someone who brings a “critical and inspiring voice” to an industry long dominated by men.
She is co-director of a successful body repair business in Geelong, and Chair of the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce’s Body Repair Division. Carly was just the second woman elected to the VACC Executive Board, and the sole current female board member.
Ruggieri also represents Victoria on the National Committee for Body Repairers, ensuring the state’s concerns are heard and addressed at the highest levels, having led key delegations to Canberra. She is never afraid to call out bad behaviour, push for accountability, and advocate for ethical and sustainable industry standards.
Tegan Blockey
Blockey is the Dealer Principal of Bridge Toyota and Lexus of Darwin, and the first woman to hold this senior position in any Lexus dealership in Australia. Deeply committed to empowering women and future talent in the industry, Tegan has launched in-house growth sessions and recognition programmes based on customer feedback and is well advanced on her goal to increase female representation in her workplace to 50%.
Showing her long-term view, Blockey initiated a traineeship scheme for students, visiting schools and advocating for career pathways in the industry. “Her focus on education, inclusion, and long-term development makes her a truly worthy nominee for this award,” said a colleague.
Blockey has also strengthened the dealership’s role as a community leader through partnerships with AFL NT, Netball NT, and the Darwin Salties, while under her leadership the dealership has actively supported multiple charities including Cancer Council, Foodbank NT, and the Starlight Foundation among others.
Leonie Knipe
According to those who work with her, Knipe “exemplifies what it means to embrace innovation, lead, inspire people, and give back.” Her leadership and impact, they say, stretches far beyond the walls of her dealerships and into the broader communities where she operates.
Knipe is the owner and Dealer Principal of Avon Valley Toyota, Isuzu Ute, Nissan & Mitsubishi in regional Western Australia, a founding member of Women in Toyota WA, part of the Northam Chamber of Commerce, and a sought-after guest speaker known for mentoring others.
She goes above and beyond to foster a caring and inclusive environment for a growing team, and the ongoing success of the dealerships she runs is testament to her ability to elevate those around her. Knipe also gives back, supporting countless community initiatives and numerous fundraisers.
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