Gillian Zucker of Auto Club Speedway Steps Up in Support of Women

June 03, 2008

Gillan Zucker President of California Speedway is a big supporter of the Step Up Women's Network and invited me to attend their annual Step Up Inspiration Awards and 10 year anniversary, where I was greeted by a red carpet and a bank of paparazzi at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel ;--), LOL, and the lunch included a runway fashion show.

Gillian is an amazing and fascinating women with a diverse background. She supports and mentors women and participates in an organization called the Step -Up Women's Network A national network of women dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls.

Gillian Zucker was named the fourth President of California Speedway, now Auto Club Speedway, on June 23, 2005, making her the first female president of a track hosting a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event in the country. The Southern California oval, located halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, annually hosts two NASCAR NEXEL Cup Series races, the largest single-day ticketed sporting events in the state, with more than 100,000 people in attendance. The track also promotes racing from NASCAR’s other top series, including the Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series and the Grand National Division, AutoZone West Series, the AMA Superbike Championship competes on a specially designed road course as does the Southern California Historic Sports Car Festival and the Speedway also has a very competitive drag racing program with the Auto Club Dragway that rounds out the annual California Speedway schedule.

Andrea Wong President and CEO of Lifetime Networks and Jeniffer Love-Hewitt were honored at the event. Seated at Gillian's table was a bevy of powerful and influential women who are making a difference in the lives of women just by the inspiration of their own careers;

Wendy Sabins and Suzanne Wisdom - the brilliance in marketing behind Southern California's strongest brand, Auto Club.

Sarah Nettinga - NASCAR entertainment, honored by Sports Business Journal as one of the top 40 executives under 40.

Julie Schoenfeld - the magic behind several successful businesses enterprises and living proof that you can have it all.

Sheri Wish - LA Times marketing, sales and promotion.

Donna Mastropasqua - Was green before "Green Marketing" was cool.

Cathy Griffin - So connected, she is her own network.

Amy Tan - if you don't own an Amy Tangerine T-shirt, you are missing out. Fashion designer extraordinaire.

Melissa Rivers - yes, that Melissa Rivers. She did not 'dis anyone on what we were wearing.

Judy Deithelm - could get publicity for a block of granite and fortunately for me, loves NASCAR and convinces her clients to as well.

The event celebrates philanthropic accomplishment, recognizing celebrities, VIPs and members of the organization. This year's recipients were chosen for their ongoing support of Step Up Women's Network and for being outstanding role models for women and young girls.

"Andrea Wong represents everything Step Up strives to promote by utilizing her professional success to give back and make a difference in her community. Lifetime Networks leads the entertainment industry's focus on positive messaging for women and girls," said executive director Danielle Carrig.

Each year, Step Up's star-studded Inspiration Awards fundraising events celebrate the year's most inspiring women. This year's event is sponsored by Hale Bob and Crystal Light. The host committee includes Jessica Alba, Molly Sims, Melissa George, Elizabeth Berkley, Ashley Jones, Adriana Alberghetti, Andrea Bowen, Jane Buckingham, Jessica Weiner, Hilarie Burton, Rachael Leigh Cook, Garcelle Beauvais, Nancy Utley, Diane Reichenberger, Lacey Chabert, Robbin Itkin, Louise Ward, Leslie Ann Warren, JoAnna Garcia, Nancy Utley and Judy Sitzer, among others.

Step Up Women's Network celebrates its 10th year of service to women and girls this year. Step Up has grown to include 50,000 supporters who have raised millions of dollars and donated more than 100,000 volunteer hours to the organization's programs. The group is a national nonprofit membership organization with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Jody DeVere
President
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