Susan Gubasta, TADA President, Jessica Cowan, ABSC student and Sergio Marchionne Memorial Scholarship winner, Todd Bourgon, Executive Director, Trillium Automobile Dealers Association.
Last year, the auto industry was reeling when it suddenly lost one of its greats: the legendary Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Chrysler.
This year, the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association set out to honour his legacy by helping spark greatness in the next generation by creating and awarding the first ever Sergio Marchionne Memorial Scholarship.
The goal of the $5,000 scholarship was to “promote and support educational advancement and skills development for Ontario students pursuing a career in the automotive retail and service industry.”
Students had to meet strict eligibility requirements, write a personal essay, provide letters of reference and submit a video message demonstrating their passion for the automotive industry.
This year’s winner was Jessica Cowan, a 21-year-old student in the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College, in Barrie, Ont.
Cowan was presented the scholarship at a special ceremony at the 2019 Canadian International AutoShow by Susan Gubasta, TADA President, and President of Mississauga Toyota, (and the first woman to lead the TADA.)
“It feels amazing,” said Cowan, in an interview. “It’s an honour to receive the scholarship, especially the first one ever granted. I know it will help me a lot furthering my education.”
When asked about what she learned about Marchionne during the process, she said she learned he was an amazing business person who was an inspiration to the industry. “He truly was one of those people who thought outside the box and made things happen. I can only aspire to be like that in the future,” she said.
Cowan thanked the TADA for its ongoing support for students, and the ABSC program, and praised Susan Gubasta, who is now personally mentoring her. “Having the first female President of the TADA as a mentor is something I wouldn’t have imagined. I’m very fortunate.”
“Education is the most important thing when it comes to our industry,” said Gubasta in an interview. “I feel that we seem to be a bit of a forgotten child when it comes to a career choice. By getting out there and speaking to schools and supporting schools, it’s a way for us to say, ‘Hey, take a look at us.’ It’s just not on people’s radar, and we are trying to get more fabulous people into our industry.”
Gubasta said she has known Cowan for about three months. “She has just been a breath of fresh air. She is one of those individuals that you meet her for five minutes and you are hooked. She is a go-getter. She is confident, she is not afraid to ask,” said Gubasta. “She knows what direction she is going in, and there’s nothing that’s going to stop her. I’m so proud to know her and work with her, and I’ll continue to work with her as a mentor. I think she is going to knock it out of the park — I just wish she would come work for me.”
Gubasta says the industry has so many opportunities for women, whether in the dealership world, OEM world, or the aftermarket. “We need to get on their radar, “says Gubasta. “We are starting to get there and make waves.”
“This is a very fitting tribute,” said Bradley Horn, Product Communications, FCA Canada, who was also on hand for the scholarship presentation. “When Mr. Marchionne was in Canada, he often mentored students. We saw it at the University of Windsor and across the country. It was something he had a passion for.”
Cowan is continuing her studies and says she hasn’t yet decided on which part of the industry she will start her career in.
