Heidi Foster

I attribute my success to being an athlete my whole life. I've been playing softball since I was young, and being an athlete, you learn really quickly that you're gonna fail, but in order to get a chance to play and get a chance to shine, you gotta get up and get going. If you don't, then you're gonna get ran over by the next person that wants it more than you. I think that you just have to have that determination and that strong mindset that you know what you want, and you're gonna go after it with everything you got. Playing competitive softball at Purdue on a full ride scholarship taught me how to persevere through challenges, remain focused under pressure, and continuously work toward long-term goals despite obstacles. Those lessons became especially valuable when I entered the collision repair industry and faced skepticism about whether a woman could succeed in this field. Being a mom has also been such a motivator for me, because my child is watching me constantly, and I want to be such a great example for her. You want to walk the walk and talk the talk. You can't motivate your child and say you gotta go to school, you gotta be on time, you gotta get good grades, if you're not doing the same thing in life. I think that's what the difference is, or what has been the true motivator and the game changer for me is being a mom.

The best career advice I’ve received has come through learning from the many leaders I’ve worked alongside throughout my journey, who showed me the value of staying resilient, adaptable, and willing to learn at every stage. I’ve also come to deeply value mentorship and sponsorship, especially for women stepping into leadership roles in the collision repair industry, because having advocates and guides can make all the difference in career growth.

Nothing is too big for you to go after. You just have to want it. That's it. I tell the girls all the time, come on, guys, raise your hand. What's the worst thing? You're going to get feedback, and they say no? You get feedback that could be better the next time you interview? Great! Wonderful, I'll take it! You deserve the shot, so take it. I want more women to feel that confidence and that boost, and that's what is missing, not just in this industry, it's missing all over the place. I hope to be the catalyst that helps women do that. When I think about the Women of Crash Champions, I'm like, there needs to be more women who take a chance, raise their hand and say, I want the opportunity. You have to believe in yourself and not let industry stereotypes limit you. When I first started in body shops, I was told that girls don't belong in body shops, that this is not the field for me. The technicians were so mean, asking why are you wearing a dress, why do you have all that makeup on. I went home crying for the first 3 or 4 months. But I asked for help, I learned the technical side, and I built relationships. This industry is not for the weak, I tell you that right now. With only 6% women and 1% in leadership, we need more women to step up. You just have to want it and go after it with everything you got.

One of the biggest challenges in the collision repair industry today is attracting, developing, and retaining skilled talent while keeping pace with rapid growth and ongoing industry change. At the same time, this environment creates a major opportunity to strengthen leadership development pathways, increase diversity, and build more intentional support systems for emerging leaders.

The values most important to me in my work and personal life are resilience, integrity, teamwork, accountability, perseverance, leadership, and continuous growth. I believe success comes from staying committed to goals, supporting others, and maintaining a strong work ethic through both personal and professional challenges.