NADA CEO Keeps Focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

National Automobile Dealers Association CEO Mike Stanton reported the association’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion is one that with repeated effort can gain momentum and grow larger.

Stanton reported that diversity, equity and inclusion is a long-time goal for the association. He is quoted in Automotive News as saying, “Quick wins are not what this is all about. It's more about sustainability and making sure that we make progress for the long term.”

In June, General Motors selected NADA as the exclusive provider of 20 Group services for General Motors’ four minority dealer development 20 Groups. Stanton calls the partnership a “win-win’ for dealers and for the association as part of a longer-term diversity, equity and inclusion strategy.

NADA will leverage its strengths in advocacy, education and consulting to help minority dealers succeed. Dealerships must reflect the communities they serve, Stanton said.

The partnership builds off an over eight-year relationship between NADA and the GM Women’s Retail Network 20 Group business. It will give NADA additional exposure to help educate dealers, according to Stanton.

NADA also remains committed to a series of resolutions and bylaw amendments passed by its board of directors last year under predecessor Peter Welch. These moves will broaden the diversity of NADA leadership to bring more voices to the table. The resolutions moved the number of at-large seats reserved for female dealers to three from two and for minority dealers to three from two.

Stanton reports NADA wants to take a strategic approach and develop a deliberate plan to ensure the changes they make are sustainable and will drive the industry for a long time. s

NADA also adopted a proclamation affirming its belief that the auto sector should lead the way on workforce diversity. The association has held initial discussions with industry groups such as the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers to move the leader on workforce diversity.

"We're planting seeds, and we continue the discussion and … we get better every day," Stanton said. "The results are going to be measured over time — not in days or weeks or even months, but more than likely over years and decades."