By Jim Utter
Director of Journalism
Summit Wash Holdings plans to make its expansion in the car wash industry twofold – increasing its sites around the country and providing more opportunities for women professionals.
Launched in 2024, ElevateHER was established as the inaugural women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Summit Wash Holdings, with its aim to create a supportive and empowering environment for women in the car wash industry.
Summit’s family of companies include Russell Speeder’s Car Wash, Speeders Car Wash, Fred’s Car Wash and Waters Car Wash.
The inspiration for the program stemmed from the personal experiences of its founders.
Jay Iraheta, a sponsor of ElevateHER and Summit’s Southeast regional president, was raised by a single mother who faced challenges in balancing work and life. Starting in the industry without a clear path, Jay advanced from CSA to Regional President, thanks to mentorship from the CEO.
Stephanie Mak, the Corporate Talent Acquisition Manager and Founder of ElevateHER, overcame significant challenges in her career with the support of a female mentor who introduced her to a community of women in business.
At its core, ElevateHER’s mission is twofold: to empower women and to foster a safe, supportive environment where they can thrive.
“Initially, ElevateHER aimed to provide mentorship, professional development opportunities, and a strong support network for women across all levels of the organization,” Mak told Car Wash Daily News. “The program focused on fostering passion, mindfulness, compassion, teamwork, mentoring, inspiration, authenticity, and resilience among its members.
“Since its inception, ElevateHER has expanded its objectives to actively influence company culture by advocating for policies that support women’s career advancement, promoting leadership training, and encouraging meaningful conversations about diversity in hiring and retention.
“The program has also broadened its reach by encouraging allyship from male colleagues and leadership, thereby strengthening its impact across the organization.”
Mak said the need for a program like ElevateHER is tied to the fact the car wash and automotive industries have typically been male dominated with few pathways for women into leadership positions.
“ElevateHER addresses this imbalance by empowering women to take on leadership roles and providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and support to advance in their careers,” Mak said.
Mak said the program’s success is measured through several indicators, including increased female representation in leadership roles, higher engagement in professional development initiatives and positive feedback from participants.
To date, the program has achieved significant milestones, such as:
- ElevateHER is open to all women employees under Summit Wash Holdings, working with each on their development.
- Leadership Representation: 25 percent of leadership roles are held by women, surpassing the industry average of 16 percent.
- The company offers equal pay opportunities for all employees, addressing industry disparities where women typically earn $5,000 less on average.
“The engagement and enthusiasm from employees, along with growing support from leadership, indicate that ElevateHER is making a meaningful impact,” Mak said.
“As the program continues to evolve, it remains focused on driving tangible change, advocating for opportunities, and ensuring that women at Summit Wash Holdings have every resource necessary to thrive in their careers.”
