Girl Gang Garage is a catalyst for gender diversity in the male-dominated automotive industry. In 2016, long-standing TV host and proponent for female empowerment in the trades, Bogi Lateiner began an all-female “Chevy Montage” truck build. The response was overwhelming, highlighting an undeniable need within the industry and want from women at large. She soon partnered with Shawnda Williams, design technologist and strategist, to found Girl Gang Garage. Girl Gang Garage now hosts more than 200 women a year in various project builds and professional development opportunities.
Bogi is a committed automotive industry advocate, TV personality, dealer-trained BMW technician, and was a 10+ year owner of an award-winning boutique repair shop in Phoenix, AZ. When it comes to the automotive industry, she is an expert, having witnessed its best and worst attributes. This first-hand knowledge is what fueled her passion, guided her vision, and motivated her to create Girl Gang Garage. Bogi is passionate about improving the automotive industry’s reputation and changing the way women, in particular, experience the industry as professionals and patrons. Additionally, Bogi has spoken and taught thousands all over the country, written and been featured in articles for both industry and non-industry publications. Her passion for the industry is difficult to miss and is undoubtedly bringing a fresh perspective to closing the gender gap within the male-dominated automotive industry. Bogi also hosts the Automotive TV show All Girls Garage, is an industry spokesperson, teaches women’s car care classes, and performs shop evaluations and assessments for independent repair shops across the country.
Girl Gang Garage is more than a physical location. It is a living, breathing network of women, ranging from novices to industry veterans, all coming together with the singular goal of growing stronger together and developing new opportunities for the next generation.
They create opportunities for women in the trades to work together, meet one another, share their skills, challenge their abilities, and inspire confidence. They understand the scarcity in feeling like an “only” and host monthly reoccurring industry exclusive networking opportunities to promote connection. So, they provide women of all ages with little to no automotive experience, open and uninhibited access to hands-on training and initiatives.