Women With Drive Summit
Women with Drive at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is powered by GSEvents
Welcome
We are an organization all about “firsts.” That makes us particularly excited to partner with the first-ever Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Downtown Nashville to power the inaugural Women with Drive Summit. Leading up to race weekend, we have organized some of the most influential people in motorsports to discuss the countless initiatives underway to empower women to the highest levels of professional motorsport.
Thank you to our partners
We are excited to present the Women with Drive Summit alongside our wonderful partners.
Meet your hostesses
We are proud to welcome Grand Marshall Rose Grindstaff owner and CEO of Cutting Edge Lighting/Advisory Board Member of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix joining Co-Chairs Lyn St. James, former INDYCAR driver, author, coach, mentor and motivational speaker along with Cindy Sisson, CEO of GSEvents and Shifting Gears. Our Master of Ceremony Amanda Busick, broadcast professional and Shifting Gears Podcast host, will guide us through the Summit.
Rose Grindstaff
Lyn St. James
Cindy Sisson
Amanda Busick
Women with Drive is Proudly Benefitting the Play Like a Girl Organization
Play Like a Girl is a 501(c)3 charitable organization inspiring girls through sport and active play. What started with one woman in 2004 is now a national movement. Today, they’re leveling the playing field by leveraging the transferable skills girls gain from sport to give them a competitive edge in the classroom and propel young women into competitive, male-dominated careers in STEM. The Opening Reception and Summit will provide a percentage of your participation to benefit this powerful organization.
Opening Reception SOLD OUT
presented by
Women with Drive benefitting Play Like a Girl
Thursday • August 05, 2021 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm
AJ’S GOOD TIME BAR
421 BROADWAY
NASHVILLE, TN 37203
Includes networking, drinks and appetizers and if you’re brave enough…karaoke.
Women with Drive Summit SOLD OUT
In partnership with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix
Friday • August 06, 2021 • 10:00am - 4:00pm
THE GEORGE JONES
128 2ND AVE N.
NASHVILLE, TN 37201
Includes networking, inspiring presentations from women in the automotive industry and lunch presented by Hemmings.
10:00 – 10:30 am • Arrival and Networking
10:30 – 11:15 am • Driving into the Future
presented by
MC • Amanda Busick • Broadcast personality, Host of Shifting Gears Podcast
Moderator • Lyn St. James • Former INDYCAR driver, leader in women in automotive and motorsports
This panel will explore the opportunities to encourage and engage the next generation of women to believe they can follow their dream of pursuing a career in motorsports. Starting in middle schools through STEM education and sports, US Legends INEX, karting, Road to Indy, and then the crown jewel, the Indy 500.
Panelists
Dr. Kim Clay • Founder • Play Like A Girl
Sabre Cook • W Series and Road to Indy racer
Jessica Fickenscher • CXO • Speedway Motorsports Inc.
Sarah Fisher O'Gara • INDYCAR legend, entrepreneur and karting executive
11:15 am – 12:00 pm • Drive to Diversity
presented by
Moderator • Lyn St. James • former INDYCAR driver, founder of Women in the Winner’s Circle programs
Motorsports has traditionally been a white male-dominated sport. This panel will inform and celebrate the success stories of diverse programs for people of color, and women. The panelists will help answer the question of what more can be done to change the future of motorsports with diverse populations for racers, industry professionals, and most importantly, the fans.
Panelists
Anscia Brown • Social Media Manager • MoneyLion
Jimmie McMillian • Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Corporate Counsel • Penske Entertainment
Beth Paretta • Team Owner • Paretta Auto Sports
Rod Reid • Team Principal • Force Indy
Myles Rowe • Driver • Force Indy
12:15 – 1:15 pm • Networking Lunch
1:15 – 2:15 pm Panel • Women who Drive Motorsports
presented by
Moderator • Allison Melangton • SVP, Penske Entertainment
So often, the most influential people in the industry are behind the scenes. These female leaders in the industry will share their stories and inspire others to work in the motorsports industry.
Panelists
Cara Adams • Director of Race Tire Engineering and Production, Chief Engineer • Firestone
Margo Cooke • Vice President, Brand, Creative, Events & Sponsorships • NTT Data
SJ Luedtke • VP of Marketing • INDYCAR
Bree Sandlin • VP North America Lubricants Marketing • Shell Lubricants
3:00 – 4:00 pm • INDYCAR Paddock VIP Tour with the girls from Play Like A Girl
Get up close and inspired with some of the fastest cars in the world at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix with the girls who make up the Play Like a Girl organization.
