2021 Canadians to Watch

CHOSEN BECAUSE:

Being a young woman in a largely male-dominated profession has been no obstacle for Tanya Van Dongen. The 26-year-old sales and leasing employee at Rose City Ford in Windsor, Ont., has been a top one-percentile performer on the AutoCanada Inc.’s Chairman’s List for the last two years.

It’s quite a feat for Van Dongen, who joined Rose City Ford about four years ago. Born and raised in an automotive family, she had initially planned to become a lawyer, but decided to give selling cars a try to earn extra money.

“In the first month I didn’t think it [sales] was for me; in the second month, I got to the top of the [sales] board,” where she has stayed since.

IN HER OWN WORDS:

“It has been challenging to be not just female but young and successful, but I would encourage other young women to enter [the business]. You’ve got to have grit, a strong will and a strong head. I came into the industry to challenge perceptions. Much of my success has come through repeat customers and referrals, the biggest compliments for a salesperson ever.”