ElevateHER to Achieve Her Dreams

Empowering Women in the Car Wash Industry

ElevateHER aims to create a supportive and empowering space for women in the car wash industry.

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Passion

Fueled by a deep drive, passion pushes us beyond limits, inspiring meaningful action and achievement.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness fosters awareness, helping us engage fully and approach challenges with calm and intention.

Compassion

Compassion is seeing others with empathy, offering support, and creating an environment of acceptance and care.

Teamwork

Teamwork combines our talents, creating outcomes greater than any one person could achieve alone.

Mentoring

Through mentoring, we help others uncover their strengths, fostering growth and lasting confidence.

Inspiration

Inspiration sparks action, encouraging us to push beyond limits and embrace our potential with confidence.

Authenticity

Authenticity means being true to ourselves, leading with integrity, and creating genuine connections with others.

Resilience

Resilience helps us face adversity with courage, emerging stronger and ready for future challenges.

The Foundation of Our Vision

Jay’s Backstory

Jay, a co-founder of ElevateHER, understands the challenges women face in balancing work and life, having been raised by a single mother who struggled to build a career while raising him. After starting in the industry without a clear path to success, he rose through the ranks from CSA to Regional President, thanks to mentorship from Kevin Matthews (CEO). Passionate about women’s empowerment, Jay believes in equal opportunities for both men and women and emphasizes the importance of mentorship to help women advance in their careers. Partnering with Stephanie Mak, he aims to raise awareness and support for women in the industry, showing them that they too can achieve leadership roles.

Stephanie’s Backstory

Stephanie, a Corporate Talent Acquisition Manager and co-founder of ElevateHER faced significant challenges that led her to question her career in hospitality. A female mentor introduced her to a supportive community of women in business who shared similar experiences and strategies for overcoming adversity. This network highlighted the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people for personal and professional growth. Stephanie collaborated with Jay Iraheta to create ElevateHER which showcases the endless possibilities for women at SWH while providing an emotional safe space for authenticity, empowerment, and a clear career development path. Understanding that this is a bigger initiative and will make way for substantial change in the organization and community.

Trailblazing Leaders Who Started it All

Lysette’s Journey: Leading with Purpose

Lysette, General Manager of Waters at Orlando 3, joined as an MIT in July 2023, driven by a passion for mindfulness, compassion, and resilience—values she now fosters within ElevateHER. Growing up, she was told that car washes were only for men, but she refused to let that define her future. Rising through the ranks, she proved that leadership knows no gender.
 
Now, Lysette is dedicated to empowering women in the industry, creating a safe space for them to showcase their skills and grow in their careers. For her, “teamwork makes the dream work,” and she’s excited to help ElevateHER inspire the next generation of leaders
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Jeny’s Journey: From Leadership to Talent Champion

Jeny’s five-year journey in the car wash industry began as a legacy member of Car Wash Palace, where she quickly rose to become the General Manager of Waters at Palm Springs. Her leadership and dedication set her apart, but her passion for empowering women led her to a new path—talent acquisition.
 
After excelling as a GM, she spent 7.5 months in the Emerging Recruiter Program, mastering the art of hiring and mentorship. Now, as a key member of the Talent Acquisition Department, she is committed to recognizing and uplifting women across the company. Inspired by Maya Angelou’s words, she believes that when one woman rises, she paves the way for others. Jeny’s mission? To create opportunities, inspire confidence, and prove that with determination, anything is possible.
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Nikki’s Journey: Breaking Barriers

Four years ago, Nikki joined Express Car Wash of West Boca as a CSA, never imagining she’d make history. Despite doubts about her leadership potential, she proved them wrong—becoming a Supervisor in two years, an MIT the next, and ultimately, the first female Regional Manager in Summit Wash Holdings.
With guidance from her mentors, she mastered operations, repairs, and leadership, turning obstacles into stepping stones. Now, she’s on a mission to inspire other women to rise, lead, and shatter expectations.
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Trailblazing ElevateHER Members Spotlight

Amanda Deaton: Paving the Way for Women in Leadership

I started with Russell Speeders in June 2023 as an MIT, quickly stepping up as acting GM in August ’23. With hard work and dedication, I was officially promoted in April 2024, becoming the first female General Manager in the Midwest. I overcame challenges with the unwavering support of my Regional team and fellow GMs, proving that perseverance and teamwork make all the difference.
 
To me, being part of ElevateHER is about inspiring other women—lifting each other up and showing the world the strength we hold. Every woman has a story, a struggle, and a triumph that can light the way for another. By sharing our experiences and standing together, we create a powerful community that encourages us to chase our dreams and break down barriers.
 
Five years ago, I never imagined being where I am today, and I feel truly blessed to be part of a movement that gives me the opportunity to inspire other women to reach for their dreams. We ride together toward a future where every woman shines bright and knows her worth!

Alexis: Empowering Through Connection and Growth

With a background in Talent Acquisition and Marketing, I’ve always been passionate about connecting people with opportunities that help them grow but I didn’t realize how much I needed a community like this for my own growth. ElevateHER has given me the confidence to embrace leadership in new ways.
 
Being surrounded by strong, driven women who support, challenge, and uplift each other has been truly inspiring. This group has shown me the power of mentorship, the importance of self-growth, and the impact we can have when we come together.I’m proud to be part of ElevateHER, where we don’t just talk about empowering women—we take action. And through that action, we create real opportunities, real change, and real growth for ourselves and each other.

Lillian Lynch-Albright: From Passion to Possibilities

Coming from a background in the restaurant industry, I never expected my path to lead to the car wash world. In high school, I spent three to four years on a dance team, and that experience shaped my passion for mentorship. Today, I continue to help kids find an outlet through dance, giving them a space to express themselves beyond school.
 
My journey at the car wash began as a right place, right time moment—one conversation with a manager led to an interview, and before I knew it, I was part of something bigger. Discovering ElevateHER was a game-changer. Seeing firsthand that women are not just supported but empowered in this industry was an entirely new and inspiring experience.
 
Now, I’m working toward a business degree while continuing to grow in my career. This journey has shown me that with the right opportunities and support, anything is possible.

Accomplishments and Future Horizons

  • Team Development: In recent months, our team has made significant strides in their careers:
    • Jay was promoted from Southeast Leader to Southeast President.
    • Lysette advanced from General Manager of our smallest location to overseeing one of our largest sites, now serving as a training hub for new employees in Orlando.
    • Jeny is the first General Manager to complete our Emerging Recruiter Program and is now an active Talent Acquisition Specialist, continuing to cultivate her passion for people and culture.
    • Nikki has made history as the first female General Manager to become a Regional Manager at Summit Wash Holdings.
  • Future Horizon: ElevateHER is open to all women employees under Summit Wash Holdings, where we will work with each female on their development.
  • Leadership Representation: Our commitment to diversity is reflected in our leadership, with 25% of leadership roles held by women, surpassing the industry average of 16%.
  • Equal Pay Commitment: While industry statistics show that women in the car wash sector earn $5,000 less on average, we are proud to offer equal pay opportunities for all employees.

Stay Connected

Internal Group Chat

We have an active internal group chat for ElevateHER members, providing a platform for sharing experiences, advice, and support.

Monthly Newsletters

We provide monthly newsletters featuring updates, success stories, and upcoming events, which will be available for all to view on this landing page

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