Canadian auto dealer writer Perry Lefko was the recipient of the runner-up award in the category of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion presented by Genesis Motors Canada at the 2024 Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Journalism Awards, Monday at Hockley Valley Resort.
Lefko received his award for an article that highlighted the advice offered by Ford of Canada President Beverly Goodman at the 2023 Empowering Auto Conference. The conference started in 2022 as part of the not-for-profit Empowering Auto, which is on a mission to recruit, retain, and grow women and their allies in the auto industry.
“I’m grateful for this award and the opportunities I am given at Canadian auto dealer to write on important topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion in the automotive industry,” said Lefko. “I also want to acknowledge the initiative taken by Genesis Motors Canada to be a presenter for this new category. Hyundai Canada President Don Romano has spearheaded the push for DEI in the automotive industry for several years and there has been positive momentum.”
This was the second time Perry won an AJAC Award. He won the Environmental Journalism Award presented by Hyundai Canada in 2022 for an article that was published in the Toronto Star. Perry has been writing about the automotive industry since 2015 and joined Canadian auto dealer in 2022.
In addition to his journalism work, Lefko is a multi best-selling author who has written more than 10 published books, including three bestsellers. He has written about hockey players Eddie Olczyk and Nick Kypreos, football players Doug Flutie, Mike (Pinball) Clemons and Dan Giancola, wrestler Bret Hart, curlers Sandra Schmirler and Colleen Jones, jockey Sandy Hawley and Canadian military sniper Jody Mitic.
He has also collaborated with musicians Andrew Mann and Clive Farrington of When In Rome on a song scheduled for release some time in 2025.
