Award trophy for 100 Leading Women in the Automotive Industry

DAS Technology CEO Alexi Venneri was one of 100 women automotive leaders honored for their contribution to various segments of the North American automotive industry.

The automotive industry has long been a hub of innovation, transformation, and growth. Today, it also stands as a beacon for gender inclusion and executive leadership, as evidenced by the 2025 Automotive News 100 Leading Women in the North American Automotive Industry awards.

This prestigious recognition honors the most influential and accomplished female leaders across auto manufacturing, retail, mobility, marketing, and technology sectors.

Among the distinguished honorees is Alexi Venneri, Co-Founder and CEO of DAS Technology, a trailblazer known for her role in revolutionizing automotive customer engagement through AI-powered SaaS solutions.

What Are the Automotive News Leading Women Awards?

Presented by Automotive News, the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry list celebrates female executives who are transforming the automotive landscape. Published every five years since 2000, the awards highlight women who are responsible for major decisions and play critical roles in shaping the future of mobility.

This year’s 2025 list marks the sixth installment of the program, honoring leaders from top automotive brands, innovative startups, and high-growth technology firms. The honorees are featured in the May 19 issue of Automotive News and were celebrated at a high-profile gala and conference held at The Henry in Dearborn, Michigan.

Alexi Venneri: A Two-Time Honoree and AutoTech Pioneer

One of the standout names in this year’s awards is Alexi Venneri, recognized for the second time since her initial inclusion in 2015. As the CEO and Co-Founder of DAS Technology, Venneri has made a profound impact on the automotive digital ecosystem by driving innovation in consumer engagement, artificial intelligence, and omnichannel communication.

Venneri’s inclusion on the list is a reflection not only of her leadership at DAS Technology but also her broader influence across the industry. Impressively, 57 of the 100 women honored this year are either clients, partners, or part of OEM relationships with DAS Technology—a testament to the far-reaching impact of the company’s solutions on automotive retail and consumer experience.

“This list shines a light on the women shaping the future of our industry, and I’m proud to be included among such an inspirational group,” said Venneri. “It is especially meaningful to see that more than half of the women on this year’s list are from companies we proudly support with our SaaS technology.”DAS Technology: Empowering Auto Retail Through AI and SaaS

Founded in 2010, DAS Technology has evolved into a global leader in AI-powered consumer engagement platforms tailored for automotive retailers, manufacturers, and partners. Its proprietary Consumer Data & Experience Platform® (CDXP) is the first of its kind in the automotive industry, enabling over 9,800 businesses across North America and beyond to improve lead conversions, elevate the consumer experience, and drive measurable business outcomes.

Venneri’s strategic leadership has propelled DAS to the forefront of automotive SaaS technology, spearheading initiatives in mobile app development, automated omnichannel messaging, AI chat solutions, and digital reputation management.

The company operates several divisions including Digital Air Strike, AUTOVATE, BestRide.com, LotVantage, and 3 Birds—all contributing to its robust portfolio of services.

The 2025 Awards: A Reflection of Industry Progress

The 2025 list of 100 Leading Women highlights 24 presidents and CEOs, including iconic leaders like Mary Barra of General Motors and Tekedra Mawakana of Waymo. It also recognizes emerging innovators such as Vivian Sun from Amazon and Rebeca Delgado from Intel Automotive, reflecting the diversity of leadership in R&D, digital transformation, and mobility.

According to Automotive News senior director Mary Beth Vander Schaaf, the selection committee faced unprecedented challenges this year due to the overwhelming volume of high-caliber nominations from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

“The talented, powerful executives on this list are at the forefront of thousands of successful women in the auto industry,” said Vander Schaaf. “Our selection committee made many difficult decisions – it gets tougher every time.”A Legacy of Female Leadership in Automotive

Over the last 25 years, Automotive News has honored 442 women through its Leading Women initiative. The growing number of women occupying C-suite and executive leadership roles signals a positive shift in an industry historically dominated by men.

The 2025 awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also showcase how diverse leadership is driving innovation and growth in automotive technology, retail, and mobility.

Why It Matters for the Future of Auto Retail

The inclusion of leaders like Alexi Venneri in the 100 Leading Women list signals the growing role of technology and data in shaping the future of automotive retail.

With AI, automation, and customer engagement platforms becoming central to the car-buying journey, companies like DAS Technology are not only building better tools but are also influencing how consumers interact with dealerships and brands.

Also, by supporting 57 of the honorees with its technology, DAS Technology demonstrates that empowering women in leadership goes hand-in-hand with empowering the organizations they lead. It also positions the company as a key enabler of next-generation retail experiences in the automotive space.

Looking toward the Future

As the automotive industry accelerates into a new era defined by technology, data, and digital transformation, the 2025 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry awards serve as both a celebration and a call to action.

Leaders like Alexi Venneri exemplify how vision, innovation, and commitment to customer experience can reshape an entire industry. Through her work at DAS Technology, she continues to champion not only technological progress but also a more inclusive and dynamic future for automotive leadership.

May 22, 2025