The Lasting Impact of Mentorship: Reflecting on the Women in Remarketing Panel

As published by Fleet Management Weekly

By: Anna Stanke, Director Fleet Remarketing and Products

At Used Car Week 2025, I had the opportunity to join an amazing group of women on the Women in Remarketing Panel. Being part of that conversation reminded me just how important mentorship has been throughout my career, and how valuable it can be for anyone building their path in fleet management. It also encouraged me to reflect on how mentorship connects to the broader progress we’re seeing in our industry.

Women in Remarketing: How Far We’ve Come

When I started in remarketing, there were very few women in the industry. It often felt difficult to break through or be heard, and women were frequently associated with administrative roles rather than operational or leadership roles.

Today, I’m proud to lead a full female remarketing team at Union Leasing, a group with over two decades of combined experience that is doing an exceptional job. Being part of a company that cares for its employees makes all the difference. When people are supported and encouraged to grow, they bring their best selves to work, and our customers feel the difference.

If you’re a woman entering a male-dominated industry today, here’s what I want you to know:

• Your knowledge matters; use it to speak up.
• If you have an idea, share it.
• If you see an opportunity to improve a process, bring it forward.

You deserve a seat at the table, and your voice is powerful. Mentorship can be one of the tools that helps you use it.

How Mentorship Helps you Grow in Fleet Management

In any industry, and especially in fleet, having someone guide you through thoughtful leadership development, career advancement, and personal growth can make all the difference. A mentor helps you navigate the corporate world, but they also help you stay grounded and see the bigger picture of how your work impacts the business.

If you’re early in your career, look for someone who helps you grow beyond your day-to-day tasks. A great mentor teaches you to stop focusing only on your own checklist and start understanding how your work supports your team, your customers, and the company as a whole. That shift in mindset is often where real growth begins.

Lessons from the Mentor Who Guided my Path

My biggest mentor was the late Gus Xamplas. Gus was my boss for eight years and was incredibly influential, not only in my career but in who I became as a leader.

He taught me to be diplomatic yet assertive and to never take “no” as the end of the conversation. He helped me understand that leadership isn’t about directing people, it’s about teaching them once, empowering them, and inspiring them to take ownership.

If there’s one thing I learned from him that I’d want you to take with you, it’s this: A leader creates an environment where people want to follow.

Gus listened to my ideas, gave me space to speak up, and encouraged me to grow. I’ve been fortunate to find leaders at Union Leasing who share that same mindset and continue to challenge and support me. His mentorship set the foundation for how I guide and support others today.

Where to Start When You’re Looking for a Mentor

You don’t have to wait to start building a mentoring relationship. In fleet, organizations like ARA and AFLA offer mentorship programs, and they’re wonderful resources, but many mentorships happen naturally.

Here’s my advice if you’re seeking a mentor:

• Look for someone you connect with. It could be a boss, a colleague, or someone in the industry whose leadership inspires you.
• Ask questions, lots of them. Mentorship thrives when you’re curious.
• Find someone who motivates you. A good mentor will challenge you and teach you to see beyond your current role.
• Be open to learning outside your role. Don’t just learn how to do something, ask why it matters and what the impacts are.
• Stay connected to the broader industry. Reading resources like Fleet Management Weekly is a great way to learn from potential mentors and widen your perspective. The more curious you are, the more your mentor can help guide your development.

The more curious you are, the more your mentor can help guide your professional development which means you’ll be prepared to take on new challenges.

How to Keep Advancing Your Fleet Career

As you grow in this industry, stay curious. Learn outside your role. Ask questions. Seek people who challenge you in the best way. And don’t be afraid to speak up when you have something valuable to contribute.

Mentorship played a huge role in shaping my career. My hope is to continue paying that forward by helping others grow, gain confidence, and see the bigger picture of what’s possible.

Thank you to everyone who attended the panel and to the remarkable women who continue to push the fleet industry forward. I’m grateful to be part of it, and even more grateful for the mentors who helped me get here.