CARY, N.C. -

When asked to name some of the people she finds professionally inspiring, Leslie Vander Bann points to Richard Branson, Elon Musk and Sheryl Sandberg, among others.

“These individuals won’t accept ‘no’ for an answer,” said Vander Baan, a 2016 Women in Remarketing honoree. “They are not limited by their own imagination and they engage in interesting pursuits outside of the workplace, which I find compelling and inspiring.”

They’re all certainly well known for innovation, something very crucial to the model of DRIVIN, where Vander Baan is vice president of strategic partnerships.

The company is on the forefront of a tech and digital revolution that’s occurring in both the retail and wholesale markets and changing how vehicles are bought and sought.

When asked how the car business has changed the most during her career in the area in which she works, Vander Baan said: “The most radical change I have seen is the way in which vehicles are sourced — for both consumers and dealers.

“For dealers, the launch of DRIVIN has completely revolutionized vehicle sourcing, and I’m very proud of the DRIVIN team for taking enormous strides to create a marketplace, evolve sourcing and create efficiencies that dealers had previously not experienced,” she said.

Vander Baan also has a healthy respect for the traditional players in the car business. She finds it important for the voices of both the disruptive and traditional model be heard.

“I would advise our future automotive leaders to cultivate a true appreciation for both the auto veterans who are and deeply rooted in the rich traditions of this industry as well as the progressive leaders who are disrupters in the business,” she said when asked what advice she would have for people looking to become auto industry leaders.

“It’s important to understand both sides in order to lead the industry forward and have a measured impact,” she said.

Vander Baan certainly has experience with both sides of that coin. She grew up in the business of dealerships and auctions, as her father and grandfather worked in the industry.

“My childhood was somewhat shaped by this exposure — the fast-pace environment and potential for growth has always been appealing to me,” she said.

“When I was 12, I told my father I thought that investing in auto auctions was a great idea, so by then I had definitely considered that the automobile industry might be in my future,” Vander Baan said. “I explored other pursuits after college, but I never let go of my ambition to start my own business.

“After a challenging experience selling a vehicle on my own, I knew that a path to entrepreneurship — and specifically one in the automotive industry — was cemented.”

When asked what motivates her in the car business, Vander Baan points to the “innate curiosity which propels me forward.” 

That includes a keen sense of self-motivation

“I don’t want to just stop where I am at any given point; I have internal competition with myself to push forward, even when I can’t see beyond the horizon,” she adds.

And speaking of the curiosity, that extends to her time away from work, as exploring new cities, countries and cultures are among her hobbies.

“I love spending time outdoors with my family. I have two young children that keep me on the go. I also love to explore new cities and countries and immerse myself in different cultural experiences,” she added.

Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees.

These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association.

Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.