Taking her seat at the table: Nell Wheeler-Mislang on leadership, resilience, and change
As part of International Women’s Day 2026, AIA Canada is recognizing women from across the auto care industry, highlighting the experiences, achievements, and successes in their journey. Throughout her time in auto care, Nell Wheeler-Mislang has built a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and impact. Her journey reflects both the challenges and the opportunities that exist for women in auto care—and the importance of claiming your place with confidence.
A non-traditional path in auto care
Nell’s career began in science, not auto care. After pursuing Environmental Sciences and training in laboratory analytics, she joined DuPont’s automotive color development lab in Ontario. Alongside two other women, Nell supported the development of new model-year vehicle colors for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) across North America—work that placed her at the intersection of innovation, precision, and collaboration.
For more than 15 years, Nell built her career while traveling extensively and raising a young family. Navigating demanding professional environments, she developed a strong foundation of resilience and adaptability that continues to define her approach to leadership and long-term success.
Leading change where it matters most
One of Nell’s proudest career moments came when she relocated her family across the country to take on the role of Sales Manager for Western Canada. Entering a highly male-dominated environment, she was frequently told that proposed process improvements “would not work here.”
Rather than forcing widespread change, Nell focused on implementing a small number of high-impact operational improvements. By collaborating closely with partners and piloting new approaches, she demonstrated tangible results. Today, those systems remain among the most efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective inventory programs in the region—continuing to deliver value years later.
Building trust one action at a time
Stepping into regional leadership required building trust, forming new alliances, and proving vision through action. “Trust is not built through titles—it is built by following through,” Nell notes.
By leaning on others, building advocates, and staying consistent in her commitments, she established credibility and strong partnerships across the region.
The role of mentorship in growth
Mentorship has been a cornerstone of Nell’s professional growth. One of her most influential mentors has been Brent Jamieson, senior director at Axalta.
“He believed in me before I fully believed in myself,” she says. “He pushed me beyond my comfort zone while offering honest guidance and steady support.”
That mentorship helped shape Nell into the leader she is today.
Creating stronger pathways for women
Looking ahead, Nell hopes to see more women actively supporting women through mentorship, advocacy, and the creation of safe spaces for growth. She believes initiatives such as the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) expanding into Canada are critical for building visible pathways and shared leadership that will drive meaningful change across the industry.
A message for the next generation
Nell’s message to women entering the industry is clear and confident: Do not listen to yourself—talk to yourself. She reminds women that they are far more capable, influential, and powerful than they often realize. Take your seat at the table. You belong there.
About Nell Wheeler-Mislang
Nell Wheeler-Mislang is market sales manager at Axalta Coating Systems with more than 25 years of experience in automotive refinish, color development, OEM collaboration, and sales leadership. She is a strong advocate for mentorship, operational excellence, and advancing women across the auto care industry.