Influential Woman · Automotive Engineering
Maya Brandt
Founder, FitToMove Inc.
Chapel Hill, NC 27518
Her Story
About Maya
Maya Brandt is a freshman at Clemson University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Engineering and an anticipated graduation in May 2030. As a National Scholar, she receives a full cost of attendance scholarship and is a member of the Clemson University Honors College. She is gaining hands-on engineering experience through Clemson’s FSAE team, where she is helping design and build a race car, while also exploring opportunities to contribute to Engineering Without Borders and its local community projects. Maya is the Founder of FitToMove Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings together her passion for motorsports, engineering, and community service. After transforming a Honda Fit into a race car, she established FitToMove Inc. to raise awareness and support for Parkinson’s disease, a cause that has personal significance through her horseback riding trainer. The initiative has raised approximately $15,000 to date, and Maya plans to continue generating charitable funds by renting the race car. Her work demonstrates entrepreneurial leadership and her ability to use motorsports as a platform for meaningful social impact. Maya’s passion for motorsports began at age 10, inspired by her father, and has continued to influence her academic and career goals. She is particularly passionate about increasing the representation of women in STEM, especially within the traditionally male-dominated automotive industry. By documenting and sharing her engineering and motorsports projects, Maya strives to build credibility, inspire others, and demonstrate that women can excel in technical and competitive fields. Her combination of academic achievement, technical curiosity, entrepreneurial initiative, and commitment to service positions her as a promising emerging leader in automotive engineering and motorsports.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the encouragement and guidance I have received from the people who have supported me throughout my journey. My dad introduced me to motorsports when I was 10 years old, sparking a passion that continues to shape my goals in automotive engineering. My horseback riding trainer also taught me to believe in myself and to recognize that I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. Their influence, combined with my dedication and determination, has helped me become a National Scholar at Clemson University, where I am pursuing my passion for automotive engineering.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my parents. They encouraged me to explore my interests, stay curious, and pursue what I am passionate about. Their support taught me the importance of following my interests with dedication and turning that passion into meaningful goals for my future.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering the automotive industry to believe in their abilities, stay confident, and never be discouraged by being in a male-dominated field. There is a strong need for more women in STEM, particularly in automotive engineering, and our participation can help create meaningful change. I have found that consistently developing my skills and sharing my projects and accomplishments can help earn respect, demonstrate my capabilities, and inspire other women to pursue opportunities in engineering and motorsports.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see in the automotive industry is being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, where I may sometimes have to overcome assumptions about my knowledge or technical abilities. Rather than allowing those challenges to discourage me, I see them as opportunities to continue learning, demonstrate my skills through my work and projects, and earn credibility through experience and results. I also hope to help create a more inclusive industry where women are recognized for their expertise and encouraged to pursue careers in automotive engineering and motorsports.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are passion, purpose, service, and perseverance. I believe in pursuing what I love while finding meaningful ways to help others. Through FitToMove Inc., I have combined my passion for motorsports with my commitment to raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease by building and racing a car to support the cause. This experience has reinforced my belief that the things we are passionate about can be used to create a positive impact in the lives of others.
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