Gatik’s Brenda Mejia Recognized as One of the 100 Leading Women Transforming the North American Auto Industry
Gatik, a pioneer and market leader in autonomous middle-mile logistics, is proud to announce that Brenda Mejia, the company’s Head of Operations, has been named among the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry by Automotive News. This distinguished honor recognizes exceptional women across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico who are making a profound and lasting impact on the automotive landscape.
First launched in 2000, Automotive News’ “Leading Women” list is compiled only once every five years, underscoring its exclusivity and the level of accomplishment required for inclusion. It honors women whose work is reshaping the future of transportation and mobility, celebrating visionaries, innovators, and change agents. This year’s honorees include CEOs, engineers, senior managers, founders, and strategic leaders representing the top tier of the industry at a time when it is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technology, sustainability, and new business models.
The selection process is rigorous and spans several months, involving nominations from hundreds of candidates across North America. Finalists are chosen based on their leadership capabilities, track record of innovation, ability to drive measurable change, and commitment to advancing the automotive industry. Brenda Mejia’s inclusion reflects not only her personal achievements but also the groundbreaking work being done at Gatik in redefining the supply chain through autonomous vehicle technology.
From Gatik’s First Hire to a Transformational Leader
Brenda Mejia joined Gatik in 2017 as the company’s very first employee. Over the past eight years, she has played an indispensable role in building the company from a nascent startup into an industry-defining force. Today, Gatik stands as the world’s only autonomous trucking company to have successfully completed fully driverless, middle-mile commercial deliveries. This milestone was achieved in partnership with Walmart in Arkansas in 2021 — a landmark moment that cemented Gatik’s position as a global leader in the autonomous logistics sector.
As Head of Operations, Mejia oversees all aspects of Gatik’s operational landscape. Her portfolio includes market expansion, operational efficiency, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction. She leads a multifaceted team of more than 100 professionals across North America, including Autonomous Vehicle Operators, Dispatchers, Remote Supervisors, and Regional Managers. Her leadership extends across the company’s central operations team and field-based staff, ensuring consistent performance, safety, and service delivery across a fleet of over 100 autonomous trucks.
Mejia’s approach to leadership emphasizes accountability, collaboration, and resilience. Her ability to navigate the complex operational challenges of deploying autonomous vehicles in real-world environments has been central to Gatik’s reputation for safety, reliability, and scalability. Under her guidance, Gatik has established a best-in-class safety record while consistently meeting — and exceeding — the expectations of some of North America’s largest grocers, retailers, and e-commerce platforms.
A Voice for Progress in Transportation and Technology
Reflecting on the honor, Mejia expressed both humility and pride in what she and her team have achieved.
“Leading the Operations Team at Gatik is a tremendous privilege, and I’m extremely proud of our accomplishments since joining Gatik over eight years ago in 2017,” she said. “Being named by Automotive News among the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry is not only an incredible honor, but serves as validation for the industry-defining work we’re undertaking at Gatik to establish a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable supply chain for our customers.”
Her educational background includes degrees from Cornell College and San Francisco State University, which laid the groundwork for her analytical approach and people-first management style. Throughout her career, Mejia has championed inclusion, innovation, and operational excellence, making her a sought-after voice in discussions about the future of transportation technology and logistics.
This recognition from Automotive News is only the latest in a string of accolades highlighting Mejia’s impact. Earlier this year, she was named a 2025 Top Woman to Watch in Transportation by the Women In Trucking Association, which celebrates female leaders shaping the future of freight and logistics. She was also honored with a Rising Stars award in the Pros to Know program by Supply & Demand Chain Executive, spotlighting emerging leaders who are driving supply chain excellence amid global disruptions and technological change.
Automotive News Honors Women Driving Industry Transformation
The Automotive News “Leading Women” list serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role women play in driving innovation and transformation across the automotive sector. Since its inception, the program has recognized a total of 442 executives across six editions. As Mary Beth Vander Schaaf, Senior Director of Editorial Operations at Automotive News, noted:
“Over the last 25 years, on six lists of Leading Women, Automotive News has honored 442 executives. Our selection committee made many difficult decisions – it gets tougher every time. The talented, powerful executives on this list are at the forefront of thousands of successful women in the auto industry.”
This year’s honorees represent companies of all sizes and specialties, from legacy automakers to startups disrupting established business models. Collectively, they reflect the breadth and diversity of the modern automotive industry, where breakthroughs in electrification, autonomy, connectivity, and digital commerce are reshaping every facet of the value chain.
Gatik: Leading the Autonomous Middle-Mile Revolution
Gatik continues to stand out in the autonomous vehicle space through its laser focus on the middle mile — the segment of the supply chain between distribution centers and retail locations. Unlike many autonomous vehicle companies that are pursuing long-haul trucking or passenger transport, Gatik’s strategy focuses on short-haul, B2B logistics using structured routes and repeatable operations. This approach has enabled faster commercialization and real-world deployment, evidenced by its successful partnerships with Walmart, Kroger, and other major retailers.
Mejia has been instrumental in scaling these operations while maintaining rigorous safety and performance standards. She has built and refined the systems that allow Gatik’s autonomous trucks to integrate seamlessly into customer supply chains, delivering consistent value with every route.
Shaping the Future of Autonomous Logistics
As Gatik continues to expand its footprint across North America, Mejia’s leadership will remain central to the company’s mission of transforming the supply chain through autonomy. Her recognition by Automotive News and other prestigious organizations highlights the growing importance of operational expertise in the autonomous vehicle sector — and the power of diverse leadership in shaping what comes next.
In an industry long dominated by traditional players, Brenda Mejia’s story stands as an inspiring example of how innovation, perseverance, and inclusive leadership can unlock new possibilities. From being the first hire at a fledgling startup to leading operations for a company that is rewriting the rules of logistics, her journey is not just remarkable — it’s a glimpse into the future of the automotive and transportation industries.
