ACX is advancing diversity and inclusion in the collision repair industry through its ACX Women’s Collective, an employee-led initiative focused on mentorship, career development and creating greater opportunities for women in collision repair. Founded by Brandi Brydges, Kimberley Kos and Brittany Huber, the Collective provides a supportive community for women across ACX while helping challenge traditional industry stereotypes and encourage more women to pursue careers in the skilled trades. ACX also works with organizations including Jill of All Trades, WITT (Women in Trades and Technology) and the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) to promote collision repair and skilled trades careers to students and future professionals.
- Organization: ACX
- Initiative: ACX Women’s Collective
- Purpose: Support women in collision repair through mentorship, career development, peer connection and networking.
- Founding members: Brandi Brydges, Kimberley Kos and Brittany Huber.
- Brandi Brydges: Director of Operations, Private Insurance, ACX.
- Kimberley Kos: Collision Manager, ACX Kavia.
- Brittany Huber: Collision Manager, ACX Venture.
- WIN recognition: Brydges and Kos have received national recognition as Most Influential Women in Collision Repair by the Women’s Industry Network.
- Committee: 15 current committee members.
- Meetings: The Collective meets monthly and meetings are open to women working across ACX.
- Mentorship: ACX is launching a mentorship program open to all employees.
- Industry partnerships: Jill of All Trades, WITT (Women in Trades and Technology), and WIN.
- Career outreach: The Collective engages with high schools and colleges to encourage women to consider automotive and skilled-trades careers.
- Core themes: Women in collision repair, mentorship, career development, diversity, skilled trades, leadership, workforce development and inclusion.
- Industry impact: ACX aims to broaden perspectives within collision repair and encourage greater participation by women in automotive careers.
The collision industry has historically been a male-dominated one, but at ACX a shift is underway that aims to prove that the strength of an organization is built on the diversity of its perspectives. By championing women in every facet of the business, the brand is trying to fundamentally change the landscape of the industry, but evolution requires more than just policy; it demands a culture of growth that starts at the very top, and ACX is lucky to have more than a few people in key roles who are actively taking the reins and fostering a community of mentorship and growth. Brandi Brydges - Director of Operations (Private Insurance) and Kimberley Kos - Collision Manager at ACX Kavia (both of whom have earned national recognition as some of the Most Influential Women in collision repair by Women’s Industry Network (WIN)), along with Brittany Huber (Collision Manager at ACX Venture) are three of these people and founding members of the ACX Women’s Collective.
The Collective is an initiative launched to ensure that no collision professional has to navigate her career path in isolation, and to create more opportunity, sentiment, and interest in collision as a real, achievable career option for women. It offers a genuine community where team members share experiences and build the confidence necessary to take the next step in their professional evolution, ensuring that potential is realized and every voice is heard. ACX says this approach is beneficial in both directions: their employees enjoy genuine support and see real direction for their careers while the company benefits from points of view that aren’t typical for the industry, which can be incredibly powerful at unlocking new approaches to almost everything the company does.
It’s said that one of the most dangerous phrases in business is “we’ve always done it that way” and the Women’s Collective at ACX is proof of just how correct that is; real growth demands evolution, which is also why ACX’s commitment extends beyond its own walls. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like Jill of All Trades, WITT (Women in Trades and Technology), and the Women’s Industry Network (WIN), ACX is a vocal advocate for the skilled trades as a rewarding career path. By actively engaging with high schools and colleges, the Collective is inspiring the next generation of female professionals to enter the automotive world, effectively dismantling stereotypes and building a more inclusive future for the entire industry.
The ACX Women’s Collective currently features 15 committee members and meets every month to strengthen peer connection; the meetings are always open to any woman who works for the brand. This fall they’re launching a mentorship program open to all employees. The trajectory for this group seems to be on the rise and this can only mean great things for ACX.
