Karen Sutton-Ford, dealer
principal at Sutton Ford in Matteson,
Ill., was honored at National Association of Minority
Automobile Dealers conference in Miami
MIAMI, Aug. 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Karen Sutton-Ford, dealer
principal of Sutton Ford in Matteson,
Ill., has been named the winner of the prestigious Ally Sees
Her Award. Established by Ally Financial and the National
Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD) seven years ago,
the award recognizes the significant achievements of women of color
in the auto retail industry and their commitment to strengthening
their communities.
"This award reinforces my belief that I fulfill my purpose when
I build others," Sutton-Ford said about the award. "My mission is
to show that women of color belong and can have a huge impact in
the auto business."
Inspired by the Association of National
Advertisers #SeeHer campaign to elevate women in
media and marketing, Ally created the award to recognize promising,
young women leaders in the auto retail industry.
The dealership business was in Sutton-Ford's blood. Her parents,
Mallory and Nate Sutton, bought
their first dealership in 1989. However, they insisted their
daughter get experience outside of the Sutton Auto Team before
joining the family business. After graduating with a bachelor's
degree in finance from Hampton
University, a Historically Black College or University
(HBCU) in Virginia, in 2010,
Sutton-Ford worked as a financial analyst at IBM in New York City.
But her automotive background soon drew her back. In 2012, she
joined Toyota Motor Sales in Torrance,
Calif. as a management trainee and then relocated to
San Francisco where she was
promoted to analyst and later District Service Manager.
After earning an MBA at Emory
University, she joined Sutton Ford in 2015 as Commercial and
Fleet manager. She is a National Auto Dealer Association Academy
graduate and served as secretary of NAMAD Next Gen, a program
focused on the new generation of auto dealers. She will take on the
Next Gen vice president role this year.
"Her commitment to learning and personal growth combined with
her knowledge of the auto industry have driven her path in the auto
business," said Natalie Brown,
senior director of Corporate Citizenship at Ally, who presented
Sutton-Ford with the award during the NAMAD ceremony last week.
"Her heart and dedication to her community are what makes her a
natural for the Ally Sees Her Award."
Sutton-Ford is a member The Links, Incorporated and Delta Sigma
Theta sorority, two organizations committed to enriching the lives
of African Americans. She is also an active member of her church,
Emmaus Community, in Olympia Fields,
Ill.
To celebrate Sutton-Ford's leadership and community involvement,
Ally is donating $10,000 to the
Seeking Vision, Gaining Success Foundation, a charity created by
HBCU graduates to provide scholarships for HBCU students.
Sutton-Ford credits Hampton and the HBCU experience for
broadening her outlook and making her the leader she is.
"I want to open doors for others and give them the confidence
they need to never give up. Those are traits of a successful
dealer," she said.
Perry Watson IV,
president of NAMAD, added, "Karen and her family are the
epitome of excellence and the possibilities the auto industry
offers. This recognition shows what women of color bring to the
industry."
About Ally Financial
Ally Financial Inc.
(NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the
nation's largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto
financing business, driven by a mission to "Do It Right" and be a
relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves
approximately 11 million customers through a full range of online
banking services (including deposits, mortgage, and credit card
products) and securities brokerage and investment advisory
services. The company also includes a robust corporate finance
business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market
companies, as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. For
more information, please visit www.ally.com.
For more information and disclosures about Ally,
visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures.
For further images and news on Ally, please
visit http://media.ally.com.
Contact:
Brenda Rios
Ally Communications (Media)
Brenda.rios@ally.com
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SOURCE Ally Financial