Build Authentic Career Connections (Even as an Introvert)
Anne Kroll
Head of Sales Europe Aftermarket, Stabilus
Lizz Calloway
Director, Partnerships Development, Origence
The sprawling convention hall at the Women In Automotive 2024 Annual Conference in Colorado Springs buzzes with conversation. A sea of handshakes and business cards exchanges flows around you as you clutch your coffee cup like a lifeline. Sound familiar?
For many of us in the automotive world—especially those who don’t thrive in high-energy social settings, like me—traditional networking can feel like navigating a foreign country without a map. The industry’s rich history of bold personalities and long-established relationships can make finding your authentic place seem impossible.
But what if the most powerful connections aren’t made by those who speak the loudest, but by those who connect the most authentically?
“I used to believe I didn’t belong in these spaces,” shares Lizz Callaway, Director of Partnerships Development at Origence. “Now I understand that my thoughtful perspective isn’t a liability—it’s my greatest networking asset.”
We spoke with Callaway and Anne Kröll, Head of Sales Europe Aftermarket at Stabilus, about their dramatically different yet equally successful networking journeys. Their stories reveal that your communication style isn’t an obstacle to overcome—it’s a unique strength waiting to be leveraged.
Reframing Networking: Connection, Not Performance
The turning point in Lizz Callaway’s career came unexpectedly at a moment of vulnerability rather than strength.
“I remember walking into my first major industry conference feeling completely out of place,” she recalls. “There I was, surrounded by established leaders who seemed to know everyone, while I felt like I had nothing to offer.”
That feeling might sound painfully familiar to many women navigating the automotive landscape. But what happened next transformed Callaway’s entire approach to professional relationships.
“I stopped trying to perform and simply started to connect. When I asked genuine questions and listened deeply to the answers, everything shifted. Suddenly, I wasn’t selling myself—I was building a community of like-minded professionals who valued substance over spectacle.”
Substance over spectacle—what a refreshing perspective in an industry where many times it’s about being the BIGGEST in the room, and many times even the most extroverted and confident woman can feel small compared to loud, boisterous men.
Her revelation: “Networking isn’t about volume—it’s about intention. Once I focused on curiosity and learning, I reframed it as planting seeds, not pitching.”
Anne Kröll’s journey reveals a similar transformation from initial hesitation to strategic connection. Early in her career, she believed her position was “too small to network and invest people’s time to help me grow.” This changed dramatically when she moved from OE customers to the independent aftermarket.
“I found people who taught me with pleasure how the business works,” she explains. “This completely changed my mindset, and I actively started networking not just for business opportunities, but for my own education and growth.”
Both women’s stories illuminate an essential truth: meaningful professional relationships aren’t built through performance but through authentic exchange.
Your Networking Toolbox: Strategies That Work on Your Terms
The myth of the “born networker” is just that—a myth. Both our industry leaders emphasize that successful connection-building is a skill anyone can develop, using strategies aligned with their natural communication style.
Digital-First Approaches
When Anne Kröll advises automotive professionals who feel overwhelmed by in-person networking, her first suggestion is surprisingly simple: “Start being visible on LinkedIn. Create a digital network.”
This approach transformed her own professional journey. “First I joined some networks within the automotive umbrella and later I joined live events to see my virtual contacts in person,” she explains. “It was like meeting old friends rather than strangers.”
Lizz Callaway similarly leverages digital platforms as connection incubators: “LinkedIn is my go-to—it’s not just for resumes; it’s for real connections. I also love virtual meetups where the barrier to entry is lower. Slack groups, webinars with live chats, even thoughtful commenting on someone’s post can spark lasting relationships.”
Small Settings, Big Impact
For those who prefer face-to-face connection but find large events draining, Callaway offers a perspective shift: “Smaller settings are your superpower. In intimate conversations, thoughtful listeners often make stronger impressions than constant talkers.” (*cough* WIA Socials *cough*)
Her strategy? “Ask questions that go beyond job titles, like what excites them in the industry right now. People remember how you made them feel, not how much you talked.”
Conference Success: Maximizing Your Nashville 2025 Experience
With the Women In Automotive Annual Conference quickly approaching this August 3-6, 2025, in Nashville, TN, now is the perfect time to develop your networking strategy. Here’s how to transform the conference from overwhelming to opportunity-rich:
Before the Conference:
- Research speakers and attendees on LinkedIn
- Prepare 2-3 thoughtful questions about industry trends
- Set realistic goals (quality over quantity!)—perhaps meeting three new connections each day
- Schedule downtime between sessions to recharge
During the Conference:
- Leverage smaller settings like breakout sessions and workshops
- Arrive early to sessions when the room is less crowded
- Use the conference app to connect with attendees digitally first
- Find a networking ally who can facilitate introductions
After the Conference:
- Follow up with specific references to your conversations
- Share relevant articles or resources mentioned
- Suggest virtual coffee chats to continue meaningful discussions
- Join the WIA online community to maintain connections year-round
- Attend local Women In Automotive Socials
The Power of Authenticity in a Technical Industry
The automotive sector—with its technical focus and traditionally male-dominated culture—can sometimes feel like a place where only certain personalities thrive. Yet both Lizz and Anne emphasize that authenticity, not conformity, creates the strongest connections.
“I remember my first industry conference where I walked into a room of established leaders and felt like I had nothing to offer,” Lizz recalls. “But once I stopped trying to impress and instead tried to connect, everything changed. People are drawn to authenticity.”
For those who struggle with small talk, Lizz offers this advice: “Skip the small talk. Lead with curiosity. Ask what they’re working on that they’re excited about, or what challenge they are seeing in the industry. The best connections often start with, ‘I’d love your take on something.'”
Anne suggests finding support when networking feels overwhelming: “Look for a mentor that can help you. I had a mentee once that asked me for that special help—overcoming the fear to talk to new people—and we created little steps to make that happen.”
Quality Over Quantity: Building Relationships That Matter
Both experts emphasize focusing on meaningful connections rather than collecting business cards.
“I’d rather have ten people in my corner who truly know my work than a thousand connections who wouldn’t recognize my name,” says Lizz. “I stay in touch with intention—whether it is sharing a win, a resource, or simply checking in. Relationships grow with care, not frequency.”
Anne approaches relationship quality with similar discernment: “It is like with friends. You will understand quite easy if a business relationship is healthy or not. If the other person is just using you for information and not replying if you have a question, this is the first signal.”
For introverts concerned about appropriate follow-up, Anne offers reassurance: “Do it in your own speed, own style of communication. No one is chasing you to follow up. Do it if you feel comfortable. If not, do it later. Everything is happening during the right time.”
The Career-Changing Impact of Strategic Connections
Both women attribute significant career advancement to the relationships they’ve cultivated.
“Every big move in my career has been sparked by a relationship, not a job board,” Lizz reflects. “A referral here, a conversation there. My network has become my sounding board, my support system, and a source of innovation. Opportunities come when people think of you, and that starts with connection.”
Anne’s experience directly links network-building to business success: “My job was to create a sales structure within Europe. When I started, I first created my network within the supplier industry to learn which player/potential customer in which market is reliable, able to pay invoices, and loyal. This supplier connection opened some unexpected doors with partners.”
Staying Connected for Long-Term Success
Maintaining relationships doesn’t require constant interaction—just genuine interest and consistency.
“I set simple habits: a quarterly check-in list, sharing updates on LinkedIn, or a quick ‘thinking of you’ note,” says Lizz. “It’s less about being outgoing and more about being intentional. People appreciate being remembered.”
Anne takes a similar approach: “With my strongest contacts, I organize regular calls to see how they are doing and exchange the latest news. Sometimes even long-term friendships develop.” She also maintains visibility by commenting on LinkedIn posts, reaching out via email, and occasionally attending networking events.
Breaking Barriers: You Belong in Every Room
The automotive industry is changing—but not fast enough. To reach its full potential, it still needs your voice, perspective, and leadership.
For women questioning whether they truly belong in industry spaces traditionally dominated by others, Lizz Callaway offers a powerful truth: “You do belong. Your voice, your story, your perspective—those are assets, not obstacles. The industry needs you, not a version of you molded to fit in.”
Where have we heard this before? Oh yes, Bobbie Herron in her WIA Board interview.
Lizz’s challenge to hesitant professionals resonates with urgency: “Show up. Ask the question. Take the coffee. You never know who’s waiting to meet someone just like you.”
Anne Kröll, bringing her European perspective, reinforces this with her own industry experience: “It needs all of us to create a better and profitable future. Everyone is welcome.” Her encouragement is both practical and heartfelt: “Do the first steps and you will see that the female network is open for you and your belongings.”
Transforming the Industry, One Connection at a Time
The future of automotive isn’t just about technological innovation—it’s about human connection and diverse perspectives driving those innovations forward.
Every relationship you build does more than advance your individual career. It helps transform an industry that benefits from your unique viewpoint and experiences. Your network becomes both your support system and your platform for creating meaningful change.
As you prepare for the Women In Automotive Annual Conference this August 3-6, 2025, in Nashville, TN, remember these core truths:
- Your communication style is a strength, not a limitation
- Authentic connection outperforms performative networking every time
- Quality relationships create more opportunities than quantity of contacts
- Digital platforms can serve as powerful gateways to meaningful in-person connections
- The industry needs your voice as much as you need the connections within it
WIA Nashville 2025 isn’t just another industry event—it’s your opportunity to build relationships that will transform both your career and the automotive landscape. Start where you are, with the skills you have. Focus on quality over quantity. Lead with genuine curiosity. And most importantly, bring your whole, authentic self to every conversation. The automotive industry doesn’t just need more networkers—it needs more of you.
Ready to transform your career and the industry? Join our community at Women In Automotive—where your voice is valued, your perspective is powerful, and your network is waiting to grow at the 2025 Women In Automotive Conference in Nashville, TN this August.