WOMEN AT THE WHEEL – A LEADERSHIP FORUM
WHEN: JUNE 17, 2026
WHAT: Lunch, Industry Talks & Networking
WHERE: Saratoga National Golf Club
TIME: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
HOW: Register HERE
TICKET COST: $150.00
At the 2026 Women at the Wheel – A Leadership Forum, the focus is on real-world growth and forward momentum. This event is designed to spark fresh thinking, build new connections, and share real experiences from women shaping the automotive space. You’ll gain perspective, hear honest insights, and leave with ideas you can put into motion immediately.
FEATURED PANEL
ADVANCING YOUR CAREER IN TODAY’S AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Career paths don’t always follow a straight line—especially in a fast-moving industry like automotive. This panel brings together leaders from prominent dealer groups to share their experiences, lessons learned, and approaches to building successful, sustainable careers. Topics include adaptability, leadership development, and creating opportunities for advancement.
Panelists Include:
Maria Dunning, Albany Automotive Group
Anna Halpin, Nemer Automotive Group
Megan Serrell, Otto Auto Group
Katie Duncan, Mohawk Auto Group
From First Steps to Forward Strides
This inspiring panel spotlights women at different stages of their careers, from those just beginning to seasoned leaders. Speakers will offer honest insights into their journeys, sharing experiences of perseverance, growth, and self-awareness. Through their stories, they’ll show how their leadership and influence have developed over time. Participants can expect to walk away motivated and equipped with new ways to approach leadership at every phase of their path.
Maria Dunning, Albany Automotive Group
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Market President, Albany Automotive Group
Maria Dunning serves as Market President of The Albany Auto Group, bringing decades of leadership and industry expertise to the organization. She attended the State University of New York at Albany and NADA’s Dealer Academy. Maria began her automotive career in 1980 and has since built a distinguished reputation for excellence and innovation.
Throughout her career, Maria has earned numerous top industry honors, including Acura Precision Team, Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best, BMW Center of Excellence, Honda President’s Award, Toyota President’s Award, and Audi Magna Elite. She was also named Executive of the Year by the Albany Business Review as part of its Women Who Mean Business awards.
In addition to her professional achievements, Maria serves as a Director of ENYCAR, contributing to the advancement of the automotive industry in the region.
Anna Halpin, Nemer Automotive Group
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General Manager/Vice President, Nemer Automotive Group
Anna Halpin brings decades of experience, passion, and heart to what she does. Born in
Poland, she moved to Germany at 12 and came to the United States with her family at 15.
Learning a new language and starting over in a new country wasn’t easy, but it helped shape
her strong work ethic, determination, and appreciation for opportunity.
As General Manager and Operating Partner at Nemer Volkswagen, Anna is known for caring
deeply about her team and her customers. She believes in leading with strength, kindness, and
takes pride in building relationships and creating an environment where people feel welcome.
She brings confidence, warmth, and a touch of style to everything she does — and lives by a
saying that fits her perfectly: “I feel great in heels.”
Megan Serrell, Otto Auto Group
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Executive Manager, Otto Auto Group
Over her 11 years in the automotive industry, Meghan has built her career from the ground up, starting as a receptionist and title clerk before advancing to Controller, General Manager and now Executive Manager. Today, she oversees both a Cadillac dealership and a CDJR store in the Otto Group.
Armed with an MBA, she pairs strong financial and operational insight with a leadership style rooted in connection and trust. She believes that the success of any dealership starts with its people, and she prioritizes building genuine relationships with her teams, creating an environment where employees feel supported, valued, and motivated to grow.
Known for her approachable leadership and commitment to developing others, she invests time in mentoring her staff and helping them see clear paths forward in their careers. By fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and teamwork, she not only drives performance but also builds strong, lasting teams across both stores.
Her journey reflects not just professional growth, but a dedication to leading with authenticity and putting people at the center of everything she does.
Katie Duncan, Mohawk Auto Group
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General Manager, Mohawk Chevrolet
Katie Gattuso Duncan is the General Manager of Mohawk Chevrolet, where she leads with a people-first philosophy focused on coaching, development, and culture. Since entering the automotive industry in 2015, she has advanced through every level of dealership operations, from sales to executive leadership.
Under her leadership, Mohawk Chevrolet has earned back-to-back Dealer of the Year honors in 2024 and 2025. Katie is a graduate of the NADA Academy and was named to Automotive News’ 40 Under 40 in 2024. She is passionate about developing high-performing teams and creating opportunities for growth, while also building a social media presence that shares an authentic look at leadership and life in the automotive industry.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Julia Landauer
The Drive to Win: Inspired Strategies for Self-Mastery
Drawing from a 21-year career in professional racing, Julia Landauer shares powerful insights on achieving success in both life and work. Through engaging and often humorous stories, she highlights strategies for taking ownership, performing under pressure, and staying focused on long-term goals. Her keynote explores themes of authenticity, leadership, teamwork, and pushing beyond comfort zones. Attendees will leave energized, equipped with practical tools, and ready to elevate their performance and mindset.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Keynote presentation by Julia Landauer
Moderated networking session led by local Women in Automotive leaders
Industry panel featuring four accomplished women in automotive
Networking Moderator
Kolleen Tehan, Dealership Management Consultant, NADA
Panel Moderator
Christina Talamo, News Channel 13 WNYT
MEET OUR EMCEE
Kolleen Koons Tehan
With nearly 40 years of experience in the automotive and insurance industries, Kolleen Koons Tehan helps dealership leaders drive performance, strengthen culture, and lead with impact through her work with NADA’s 20 Group program.
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Kolleen Koons Tehan has built her career around helping dealerships grow, adapt, and perform at a higher level. With 38 years experience in both the automotive and insurance industries, she works directly with dealer principals and executive teams across the country through NADA’s 20 Group program, helping them improve performance, accountability, and culture inside their dealerships. She is especially passionate about building strong dealership cultures because she believes leadership sets the tone for everything. When the culture is right, performance follows.
Kolleen also created the first ever mixed franchise Women’s 20 Groups at NADA, which have grown to three thriving groups. These groups bring together high performing female leaders in automotive to collaborate, challenge one another, and raise the standard across the industry. Her connection to the automotive industry runs deep. She is a third-generation automotive professional, and her grandfather, John Koons Sr., was the earliest dealers ever inducted into the Automobile Hall of Fame. Growing up around the business gave her an early understanding of leadership, accountability, and long term vision. That foundation continues to shape how she serves dealers today and why she cares so deeply about the future of the industry.
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