When Thaya Gengatharan, OMVIC’s Director of Registration, received a detailed questionnaire from the Women & Automotive Leadership Forum some weeks ago, she assumed it was some sort of feedback survey.

She filled it in and then forgot all about it.

It wasn’t until people dropped by her offices to congratulate her that Gengatharan realized she was one of the recipients the 2020 Women & Automotive Leadership Award.

Each year, Cherokee Media, publisher of the AutoRemarketing Canada magazine, selects and honours accomplished women who work in the Canadian automotive sector and are leaders.

“I am thrilled, humbled and honoured,” said Gengatharan on receiving the award. “I wouldn’t be where I am today, if it wasn’t for some exceptional women who took me under their wings and mentored me as I started my professional journey. I now have the privilege of working alongside women who inspire me everyday with their attitude and work ethics. I am especially grateful to Maureen (OMVIC’s Chief Operating Officer) for nominating me for this award and having the confidence in my abilities.”

Gengatharan, an accountant by profession, joined OMVIC in 2001 as a registration representative. She found two mentors—Julia McBean, Supervisor, Registrations and Mary Jane South, OMVIC’s Deputy Registrar at that time. Both helped her grow professionally. She also received lessons on leadership from them.

Last year, Gengatharan took the lead and successfully implemented a digitization project to streamline the registration process. The idea was to enhance efficiency and eliminate manual work and duplication of efforts.

“Our digitization efforts have resulted in greater transparency, effectiveness and efficiency,” Gengatharan said. “The online process has made the application process faster. It benefits both the registrants and our staff.”

The new process has eliminated hours of manual work for OMVIC staff.

As a member of the 2020 Class of Women in Leadership award, AutoRemarketing Canada magazine will feature Gengatharan’s profile in their upcoming issue, and fête her and others at an awards luncheon, June 19 at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle.