Walk into almost any corner of the collision repair industry today and you’ll see it — women are here. They’re repairing panels, leading global teams, mentoring students, managing operations, and helping move our industry forward.
While collision repair has long been male-dominated, women continue to carve out meaningful careers across every level of the business.
From the Shop Floor to Leadership
For Cassandra Thibeault, the path to becoming a body technician wasn’t handed to her — she chose it. After working multiple roles around the shop, she committed to becoming a body tech despite not seeing many women in that position. Today, she thrives in the role and even created an online community called “bodywomen” to connect and support other female body technicians.
Her story reflects a common theme: don’t wait for permission — step into opportunity.
That same mindset shaped Kasey Douglas’s journey. After a manager recognized her leadership potential at 3M, Douglas was encouraged to expand her education and explore different areas of the company. Marketing stood out. Fifteen years later, she now serves on the global marketing operations team for 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket Division, helping guide worldwide initiatives, training, and events.
Then there’s Sabrina Thring, who began her career in finance before being challenged to step into operations. That leap eventually led her to become president of CARSTAR, overseeing more than 1,000 franchise locations across North America. Her philosophy is simple: if you show hunger, commitment, and capability, you deserve the opportunity — regardless of gender.
Common Threads of Success
Across these stories, a few themes consistently rise to the top:
1. Support Matters
Family support and strong company culture play a critical role. Whether it’s growing up in a family shop or having a leader who sees your potential, encouragement fuels growth.
2. Advocate for Yourself
A can-do attitude, confidence, and willingness to speak up are essential. As Douglas puts it: work hard, advocate for yourself, and don’t be afraid to chase bigger goals.
3. Community Makes You Stronger
Organizations like the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) provide mentorship, leadership development, and connection. Networking with others in the industry builds confidence and creates opportunities that may not have existed before.
Why This Matters for Our Industry
The future of collision repair depends on attracting and retaining skilled talent — and that means creating opportunities for everyone. From technicians to executives, women are proving every day that skill, drive, and passion are what truly define success in this business.
At Colours, we believe the strength of our industry lies in its people. When we support growth, mentorship, and opportunity at every level — we don’t just build better careers. We build a stronger future for collision repair.
This blog post was inspired by reporting from Carol Badaracco Padgett at ABRN / FenderBender, highlighting women thriving across the collision repair industry today.*