SANCTIONING BODIES/SERIES
Representatives for Women in Motorsports North America include the following individuals:
Deanna Flanagan
SCCA Director, Road Racing
Hometown | Residence:
Topeka, KS | Topeka, KS
First Year in Racing: 2002
Greatest Accomplishment:
Oversee event operations and logistics planning for the SCCA Runoffs, the largest road racing event in the U.S.
Advice:
If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.
Teresa Hanken
Secretary of the meet at SRO Motorsports Group
Hometown | Residence:
Oregon City, OR | Oregon City, OR
First Year in Racing: 2000
Greatest Accomplishment:
Secretary of the Meet
Advice:
Live life to the fullest, you only get one.
Michelle Kish
Andersen Promotions COO
Hometown | Residence:
River Vale, NJ | Palmetto, FL
First Year in Racing: 1992
Greatest Accomplishment:
Being a part of building the Road to Indy ladder system alongside my father
Advice:
Any organization is only as good as its people. To be successful in any business you need to build a team of dedicated people and give them room to grow. It’s all about the people.
- WIMNA Working Group
Vicki O'Connor
President Pro-Motion Agency, Ltd.
Hometown | Residence:
Highland Park, IL | Carmel, IN
First Year in Racing: 1968
Greatest Accomplishment:
The Atlantic Championship Series
Advice:
You can do anything you set your mind out to do and accomplish.
Rebecca Rawski
IMSA, Senior Manager
Hometown | Residence:
Jacksonville, FL | Daytona Beach, FL
First Year in Racing: 2013
Greatest Accomplishment:
Working with a team to continue to organize, execute and continue to deliver a phenomenal race experience for partners & fans in 2020-2021.
Advice:
Knowledge is power. Take the time to ask questions, learn and understand areas of the business that you may not have direct influence, responsibility or oversight of.
Kristen Wentzell
NHRA VP National Event Marketing
Hometown | Residence:
St. Paul, MN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA
First Year in Racing: 2012
Greatest Accomplishment:
Working alongside a talented leadership team at NHRA to bring drag racing and family entertainment back to fans in the safest ways possible after the pandemic outbreak.
Advice:
Never stop learning!
Sydney Yagel
Parella Motorsports Holdings, Vice President of Event Operations
Hometown | Residence:
Cypress, TX | Brownsburg, IN
First Year in Racing: 2007
Greatest Accomplishment:
Recognition in the FIA Women in Motorsports Careers Booklet
Advice:
When things get hard, you have the strength and knowledge to get through it. Take a deep breath, and this too shall pass.