Women in Motorsports North America

What Women in Motorsports North America does

Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2022 and headquartered in Indianapolis. It was established by motorsports veterans Lyn St. James and Beth Paretta to advance the participation, retention, and progression of women across professional motorsports disciplines. The organization serves women pursuing careers in racing, engineering, team operations, and adjacent motorsports roles, as well as the corporate, sanctioning-body, and club-level stakeholders that engage with the talent pipeline.

WIMNA's programmatic surface is anchored by the annual Women with Drive Summit (running each year since the 2022 launch and reported to have growing attendance), the Mentorship Matters program, and the Career Connect virtual platform for year-round mentorship and career-matching. It complements these with the Electrify Your Career educational initiative launched in partnership with Bosch, a High-Performance Driver Education (HPDE) event series supported by Mobil 1, and a WIMNA Chapters network that has grown to six regional US chapters. The community roster encompasses more than 100 motorsports professionals spanning multiple functional disciplines.

The operating model is non-profit: WIMNA generates inflows from individual membership dues, donations, and event registration, supplemented by corporate sponsorship (with Bosch identified as the flagship corporate partner) and in-kind support from track operators such as Summit Point and Lime Rock Park. It maintains a small staff (1-10 employees) led by Co-Founder & CEO Beth Paretta, with Co-Founder Lyn St. James supporting externally and Cindy Sisson serving as Executive Director. The organization's strategic posture is that of an industry coordination layer, with relationships spanning global bodies (FIA Women in Motorsport, F1 Academy), US sanctioning organizations (NASCAR Diversity & Inclusion, SCCA Women on Track), OEMs (Bosch, Mobil 1), and enthusiast clubs (Porsche Club of America, BMW Car Club).

Name

Women in Motorsports North America

Legal name

Women in Motorsports North America

Website

https://womeninmotorsportsna.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Women in Motorsports North America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2022 that advances women in motorsports through the Women with Drive Summit, Career Connect platform, six regional chapters, and educational and HPDE programming in partnership with Bosch and Mobil 1.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Motorsports Professional Association

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKAGAI

Motorsports Fan Engagement & Membership Programs (Series/Team-Owned)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Motorsports Series, Teams & Promoters

Keywords

• Motorsports community
• Women in motorsports
• Career development
• Mentorship programs
• Professional motorsports association

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for WIMNA Nation providing access to networking, mentorship, resources, and community benefits
2. Donations: Accepts donations through platforms like QGIV and Fanthem for supporting women in motorsports initiatives
3. Event Registration: Fees for HPDE events and educational programs including track experiences with partner organizations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization that advances women in the motorsports industry through mentorship programs, career development resources, regional chapters, the Women with Drive Summit, High Performance Driver Education (HPDE) track events, and the Electrify Your Career in Motorsports program with Bosch. Its Career Connect virtual platform connects motorsports talent with industry opportunities.

Product overview

Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of programs and services designed to advance, connect, and enable women across all facets of the motorsports industry. The organization operates as a membership-based community platform with multiple interconnected services including Career Connect (virtual talent marketplace), the Mentorship Matters Program (monthly virtual mentorship sessions), the annual Women with Drive Summit (industry conference), High Performance Driver Education (HPDE) events, local WIMNA Chapters across the US, the Electrify Your Career program (in partnership with Bosch), and educational resources including a coloring book, guides, and recommended readings. The organization also facilitates community networking through categorized professional directories and advocates for women through partnerships with organizations like the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women with Drive Summit: WIMNA's marque annual industry summit focused on advancing opportunities for women in motorsports through panels, networking, and career development.
• Mentorship Matters Program
• Electrify Your Career in Motorsports
• WIMNA-HPDE
• You Can Be Her If You Can See Her

Products and services

• WIMNA Nation Membership Annual membership program providing networking, mentorship, resources, and community access for individuals passionate about women in motorsports.
• Career Connect A virtual destination that connects motorsports professionals, students, career changers, and aspiring industry leaders with opportunities across the motorsports industry.
• Mentorship Matters Program Monthly fireside chat-style virtual mentorship discussions featuring rotating mentors and moderators covering challenges, successes, and career guidance in motorsports roles.
• Women with Drive Summit Annual industry summit bringing together successful and influential people in motorsports to discuss advancing diversity and inclusion, with net proceeds benefiting WIMNA.
• WIMNA-HPDE (High Performance Driver Education) Track driving programs in partnership with Mobil 1, Porsche Club of America, and BMW Car Club of America, offering beginner and experienced drivers track experiences at partner venues including Virginia International Raceway, Summit Point, and Lime Rock Park.
• WIMNA Regional Chapters Local chapters across the United States (Charlotte, Detroit, Elkhart Lake, Indianapolis, Monterey, Southern California) supporting the mission to advance, connect, and enable women in motorsports.
• Electrify Your Career in Motorsports Immersive behind-the-scenes experience created with Bosch showing women what careers in racing really look like, featuring garage tours, career development workshops, and networking at race events including Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, and Bank of America 400.

Quantifiable outcome

• Community presence across 6+ US chapters
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and moderate.

• BoschflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Bosch is WIMNA's Official Career Development Partner, presenting the 'Electrify Your Career in Motorsports' program. Now in its 4th year, this immersive program provides women behind-the-scenes access to racing events including Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, and Bank of America 400.
• Mobil 1coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobil 1 serves as the driving force behind WIMNA's HPDE (High Performance Driver Education) events. The partnership enables female drivers to experience track days with professional instruction through collaborations with Porsche Club of America and BMW Car Club of America chapters.
• Porsche Club of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA partners with WIMNA for HPDE events including events with Chicago Region's DRIVEN WOMEN Ladies' Day Driver Education, Potomac Region's Women's HPDE Clinic, and Metro New York Region's female-only driving event at Lime Rock Park.
• BMW Car Club of America - Tarheel ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCA Tarheel Chapter partners with WIMNA for HPDE events including the Virginia International Raceway experience, providing track access for female drivers.
• Summit Point Motorsports ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit Point Motorsports Park serves as a WIMNA Official Track Partner, hosting annual PCA Potomac Region Women's High Performance Driving Clinics.
• Lime Rock ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLime Rock Park is a WIMNA Official Track Partner hosting PCA Metropolitan New York Region's first female-only HPDE event.
• FIA Women in Motorsport CommissionmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerWIMNA collaborates with the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, which was created in 2009 to demonstrate that women are recognized by motorsport's highest governing body and to promote greater participation through social and educational programs.
• F1 AcademymoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerWIMNA supports F1 Academy initiatives and provides the F1 Academy Driver Development Guide as an educational resource for members.
• NASCAR Diversity & InclusionmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with NASCAR Diversity & Inclusion programs including Drive for Diversity, which creates inclusive environments across the NASCAR industry through internship programs and driver development.
• SCCA Women on TrackmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerWIMNA works with SCCA Women on Track Initiative which expands participation of women in all SCCA programs as participants, volunteers, leaders, or supporters.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Dare to be Different: Founded by Susie Wolff to inspire and empower women in motorsport through education and community; operates a parallel grassroots mission to WIMNA but with a European base.
• Shift Up Now: Non-profit supporting women across motorsport disciplines through ambassador programs, networking, and storytelling; closest US peer with a similar community-and-advocacy model.
• More than Equal: David Coulthard-backed initiative developing female motorsport talent with a focus on driver pathways and team ownership; comparable to WIMNA's Career Connect and Electrify Your Career programs.
• SCCA Women on Track: SCCA's initiative expanding women's participation across SCCA programs as participants, volunteers, and leaders; a series-affiliated peer with overlapping mission to WIMNA.

Broad incumbents

• F1 Academy: Formula 1's all-female driver development series; WIMNA is explicitly listed as a partner and provides the F1 Academy Driver Development Guide to its members.
• NASCAR Drive for Diversity: NASCAR's diversity and inclusion program developing drivers and industry talent; WIMNA's NASCAR D&I partnership mirrors their shared driver-development objective.
• FIA Women in Motorsport Commission: FIA's Commission promoting women across all FIA-sanctioned motorsport globally; a formal governing-body peer to WIMNA's North American community and advocacy mission.

Others

• Mahindra Racing Diversity Initiatives: Formula E team with female-driver and engineer development initiatives (including the 2023 Gen3 all-female test); comparable team-level diversity programming to WIMNA's Electrify Your Career model.

Regional players

• Iron Dames: European project fielding all-female driver lineups across GT and endurance racing; a complementary motorsports role-model platform focused on European series.
• Women in Motorsports Australia: Australian counterpart organization with analogous mission of advancing women in motorsports through networking, mentorship, and events; useful for benchmarking WIMNA's North American approach.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_WIMNA
• Facebookfacebook.com/womeninmotorsportsna
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-in-motorsports-north-america
• Instagraminstagram.com/womeninmotorsportsna

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women in Motorsports North America