On Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m., Oakland University hosted the Women in Business: Stellantis Marketing Panel, featuring three leaders from the automotive giant’s communications team: Anne Marie Fortunate, Jen Wolf and Hailey Hutchison. Each speaker offered a unique perspective on navigating the fast-paced world of media, marketing and communications while being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Anne Marie Fortunate, media relations manager, opened the discussion by sharing the career path that led her to Stellantis. With experience ranging from launching the first Apple CarPlay to managing NASCAR projects, Fortunate emphasized the importance of strong writing skills and maintaining professionalism under pressure. She also reflected on her own career pivots, noting that being open to change and continuous learning has been essential to her success.
Jen Wolf, who works in internal employee communications, discussed her long journey from advertising and healthcare to global operations at Stellantis, including work on Super Bowl campaigns. Wolf stressed the importance of networking, resilience and adaptability in communications careers, reminding students that “attitude and curiosity often matter just as much as experience.”
Hailey Hutchison, social media lead for Stellantis North America, brought a youthful and creative perspective to the conversation. Starting her career managing high school social media accounts before moving into professional marketing, Hutchison now oversees the company’s digital identity and product news, along with major collaborations such as Xbox. She highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence and data analytics in communications, explaining how her team uses these tools to shape creative strategies and measure audience engagement.
Throughout the discussion, the panelists explored topics such as AI in writing and content creation, crisis communication systems and global media coordination. Each agreed that artificial intelligence is transforming the communications industry — not as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool to enhance efficiency and idea generation.
“It’s all about learning how to use AI to your advantage,” Hutchison said.
The speakers also offered practical advice for students preparing to enter the job market. They encouraged building a strong LinkedIn profile, showcasing a creative portfolio and pursuing internships at any grade level.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out and be a little pushy,” Wolf said. “The worst thing someone can say is no.”
When asked about challenges faced by women in the automotive industry, the panelists acknowledged that while progress has been made, there is still work to do in building mentorship, representation and diversity. Fortunate praised Stellantis’ business resource groups and mentorship programs that help women advance in their careers, while Wolf emphasized the importance of professional relationships, noting that “the automotive industry is a small world — connections really do matter.”
Closing the session, the panelists reflected on their journeys with resilience, motivation and self-doubt. They shared personal stories of projects that went off course, imposter syndrome and the lessons learned through perseverance. Hutchison encouraged students to “be the idea person” and use every opportunity — from clubs to public speaking — to build confidence and creativity.
The Women in Business Stellantis Marketing Panel served as a reminder to students that success in communications requires equal parts creativity, adaptability and passion. As these three industry leaders demonstrated, the road to success may not always be straight or easy, but with curiosity and resilience, it can lead to remarkable places.
