Featured Guest
Petra Schroeder | The Collisionista
Petra Schroeder is a highly respected veteran of the collision repair industry, with over 50 years of experience across product management, marketing, and brand development. Known simply as “Petra” within the industry, she built a strong legacy through leadership, innovation, and relationship-building.
After beginning her career in Germany in 1969, she transitioned into the collision industry in 1971 and later moved to the United States in 1995, where she continued her work long-term. Throughout her career, Petra broke barriers as a woman in a male-dominated field, often being the first to achieve key milestones, including international assignments.
Since retiring in 2016, she remains actively involved in the industry under the self-created title “The Collisionista,” contributing to organizations such as the Collision Industry Foundation, Women’s Industry Network, Collision Industry Conference and Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association and National Auto Body Council. She is passionate about giving back, mentoring others, and raising awareness about the importance and opportunities within collision repair.
Petra has received numerous honors, including Most Influential Woman (2018) and induction into the Collision Industry Hall of Fame (2021). She is known for her authenticity, positive mindset, and belief that confidence, expertise, and relationships drive success.
Today, she continues to advocate for the future of the industry, emphasizing the growing role of technology in vehicles and the need to attract and educate the next generation of technicians.
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In this conversation, Petra shares insights from her remarkable journey, including her time working with major global brands, her leadership experiences, and her passion for building meaningful relationships. She highlights the importance of networking, mentorship, and community, emphasizing how these elements have shaped both her career and the industry as a whole. The discussion also explores key challenges facing the collision repair space today, including technician shortages, the evolving workplace culture, and the increasing complexity of modern vehicles.
A central part of the conversation focuses on Petra’s involvement with the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF), the charitable organization dedicated to supporting collision repair professionals and their families during times of crisis. She speaks to the powerful role CIF plays in uniting the industry, providing financial relief after disasters, and reinforcing a culture of care and connection. Ultimately, Petra underscores the importance of raising awareness about the industry and inspiring the next generation to see collision repair as a meaningful, technology-driven career path.
Learn more about the Collision Industry Foundation
The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) is the charitable arm of the collision repair industry, dedicated to supporting professionals and their families during times of crisis. Established in 2001, CIF’s core mission is to secure and distribute financial assistance to individuals who have experienced significant losses due to natural disasters or catastrophic events. Through the generosity of industry donors, corporations, and individuals, the foundation provides critical emergency relief when it is needed most, helping collision repair professionals recover, rebuild, and move forward. Visit the website at www.collisionindustryfoundation.org
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