For the Girls founder Monica Monteleone has won the 2026 Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award for her work creating opportunities and a stronger sense of belonging for women in Australia’s automotive community.
The award was presented by Cox Automotive Australia chief executive Stephen Lester at the Women in Automotive Signature Series event in Melbourne.
Monteleone was selected from four finalists after the number of nominations received for this year’s award doubled compared with 2025.
She receives a $5000 professional development grant alongside industry recognition.
Creating an automotive community for women
Monteleone established For the Girls in July 2022 after importing a vehicle from Japan and considering how many other women shared her enthusiasm for cars.
Her first local car gathering started as a small event at a library but highlighted a broader demand for an automotive community where women felt comfortable participating.
“Monica founded For the Girls after importing a car from Japan and wondering how many other women shared the same passion,” one of her nominators says.
“Rather than waiting for an existing space to appear, she created one.”
For the Girls now runs car meets, motorsport experiences, track days, karting events, workshops, expos, fundraisers and networking opportunities.
Its beginner-friendly events are intended to help women enter automotive culture and motorsport while connecting enthusiasts, competitors, business owners and industry professionals.
The organisation is supported by automotive industry groups including Motorsport Australia.
It has also promoted women working in motorsport, supported female-owned businesses, raised awareness of mental health and collected funds for charitable causes.
Events include the annual For the Girls + Friends Car Show and For the Girls: Auto Expo.
One nominator says Monteleone has “created a lasting legacy where women know they are welcome, where their passion is celebrated and where future generations can see themselves represented within the automotive industry”.
Four finalists selected
The other finalists were:
- Logicar chief executive Colette Kirby.
- Diesel fitter, automotive electrician and field service technician Caitlyn Hayes.
- Intelematics senior product manager for safety and security Katherine Anderson.
About the award
The Barbara Cox Award recognises women demonstrating leadership, innovation, advocacy or community impact within Australia’s automotive industry.
It is named after the late Barbara Cox, a former owner and director of US-based Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Automotive.
She was the daughter of company founder Governor James Cox and the mother of Cox Enterprises chairman emeritus Jim Kennedy.
The 2026 presentation marked the fourth year of the award in Australia.
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