Veronica Dunford, Executive Vice President Business Development of DealerBuilt 

2021 Honoree

Executive Vice President Business Development
DealerBuilt 

What is the proudest accomplishment of your career thus far?  

This is a tough one. I don’t really self-promote well, however if I had to choose, I would say I am most proud of all the things I have accomplished over the years here at DealerBuilt, and of course, being asked to join the Board of Directors for Women in Automotive is definitely a highlight for me as well. Being on the Board of an organization that supports women in their careers and life goals is very near and dear to my heart and a passion of mine. I love that I am able to piggyback my day-to-day career with an opportunity to give back to others and be aligned with some truly amazing human beings that I admire and respect. 

When I began my journey with DealerBuilt, there were just a handful of us (all still here today) that would find holes in what was needed to expand and scale the business, and we would fill those holes regardless if we knew what we were doing … we learned along the way. DealerBuilt did not have an account management team, and we had just signed on two very large dealer groups with two very large groups already on board.  

My mother always told me not to talk to strangers as a kid, so I would walk up to everyone I met, put my hand out (at 4 years old, btw) and say “Hi, my name is Veronica, what’s your name? Now we aren’t strangers, I can talk to you.”   

The majority of DealerBuilt’s success (then and now) depends on building strong relationships with key accounts, vendors and partners to spread the word about all we do, and, of course, still deliver outstanding customer service. As the company was growing their account base, it was readily apparent that clients needed and were asking for specialized attention. To that end, that was the hole I filled. I launched DealerBuilt’s first account management program and fostered relationships that continue to this day to provide DB with raving fans. It fueled not only our word-of-mouth growth, but also allowed the company to focus attention on what mattered most. Today, that team is run by one of my original AMs and SHE is knocking it out of the park! 

 

What is your best advice to other women who want to excel in the automotive industry?  

Always be true to yourself. Yes, that sounds cliché, but there is no wiser advice I can give. It would be the same advice I would give to excel in any industry, though we all know how savage, quirky, invigorating and rewarding automotive can be. When I say be true to yourself, don’t let anyone dull your shine or push you down. Be passionate in everything you do. Be fierce. Don’t be afraid to be bold and smart. Surround yourself with those that inspire you, lift you up and push you when you need it. 

 

What are some of the ways you have seen the industry support women? 

I feel there is a trend in general, that to compete in today’s marketplace, you need to surround yourself with the best, another cliché, but it’s so true. It seems more business leaders today see women as a key demographic in filling and rounding out their leadership teams.  

Certainly, organizations like Women in Automotive have been very pivotal for the support and mentorship of women in our industry. Especially with the training, career development, hiring practices and the new eMentor platform that recently launched. Finally, it’s an easy and cost-effective avenue for women (and men) in our industry to get the mentorship they so desperately need from peers and industry veterans alike. 

In addition to support and mentorship, it is incredible to see some of the larger industry outlets recognizing women for their achievements. You can see by the list of strong women who are honored by this nomination alone that the industry has already begun to take notice of the power and intelligence women bring to this industry. I truly hope to see this trend continuing. 

 

What is one thing the industry could do better/differently to support women?  

Only one thing? LOL! Promote and encourage women to be more entrepreneurial. I have seen this becoming a shift and significant and important trait that is looked for within today’s executive leadership teams. As important, we do not see many women taking that leap, or risking to venture out, seek capital and convert their ideas into real businesses as often as they should. More women need to find their voices and become the much-needed leaders and entrepreneurs this industry needs, and be recognized for their accomplishments more often.