Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2026 Women in Retail honorees in the July edition of the magazine and will be posting Q&As with each of these outstanding leaders on the website. Next up, in alphabetical order by first name, is Eliana Raggio, chief marketing officer at Dealer eProcess.

The Women in Retail program is presented by CarGurus.

What prompted/inspired you to join the auto industry and what do you enjoy most about it?
Like many of us, I completely fell into the automotive industry through a friend’s recommendation. Talk about timing: I started exactly one month before the 2008 auto industry crash. I remember sitting there thinking, “What the heck have I gotten myself into?”

But watching the entire industry pivot, overcome, and climb its way back was an incredible masterclass. It proved to me right out of the gate that the auto biz is absolutely never boring! Eighteen years later, I’m still hooked on that relentless drive to innovate.

What I love most is the sheer resilience and energy of this community. Now, as a board member for Women In Automotive and the recipient of the 2026 Women in Retail award, I get to help drive that momentum forward. We’re breaking down barriers, elevating technology, and turning complex digital strategies into real wins for dealerships. It’s fast, it’s exciting, and the passion of the people in this space makes every single day a blast.

What is the top trend you’re watching in the used-car industry this year?
This year, I’m laser-focused on used-car affordability and the shifting economic outlook for shoppers. Navigating the volatility in pricing has been a wild ride for dealers and consumers alike, but there’s a major bright spot on the horizon.

According to JD Power, we’re going to see an incremental increase of over 470,000 lease returns flowing back into the market in H2 this year! This influx of inventory is exactly what the market needs to help stabilize pricing and give budget-conscious buyers better options.

For dealerships, the key to handling this trend is staying agile. Shoppers are hunting for affordable vehicles, and having a fresh wave of clean, late-model cars allows us to meet them exactly where they are. It’s a fast-moving environment, but addressing affordability provides an incredible opportunity to capture consumer interest and put more dreams in driveways.


What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
I have said it on stage many times: my 11-year journey with Women In Automotive is absolutely what I am most proud of in my career. Serving as a WIA board member and conference emcee for over a decade has given me the incredible opportunity to advocate for and mentor brilliant women across every corner of this male-dominated industry.

For me, it’s all about actively shifting that narrative, ensuring women are included in the room and are truly empowered to lead. Whether I am running a webinar or holding the mic on a massive conference stage, my focus remains absolute: pull up a chair for the next woman. When we give women the space and support to thrive, they uplift each other and elevate the entire industry. Receiving the 2026 Women in Retail award is an incredibly meaningful milestone that I cherish deeply. That honor is made even sweeter by getting to watch the women in our community confidently step into leadership roles every single day.

What book, film or song has inspired you personally or professionally?
Without hesitation, it is “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. I have read this absolute classic over 10 times, and every single time I pick it up, I discover some fresh nugget of wisdom to put into practice.

At its core, this book proves that communication is the master key to success in any field. It is not just about talking: it is a genuine art form that we should constantly hone. Carnegie teaches us to shift our focus entirely to others by listening actively, remembering names, and making people feel truly valued and understood.

In a fast-paced, high-energy industry like automotive, it is easy to get caught up in data and logic. But at the end of the day, this business is entirely powered by human connections. Whether I am mentoring the next generation of female leaders or crafting marketing strategies, appealing to emotions and seeing things from another person’s perspective changes everything. It is a timeless blueprint for leadership and collaboration that never goes out of style.

Who is someone who has inspired you personally or professionally?
When I was a young girl, my absolute hero was Sally Ride. Watching the first American woman blast into space on the Challenger in 1983 completely blew my mind. She was quite literally charting a new course for women in science. Now, I might have given up on my childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, but that doesn’t mean I can’t chart a bold course of my own right here on Earth.

In the automotive world, I have an endless supply of inspiration. Through my work with Women In Automotive, I am constantly surrounded by absolute rockstars. I get to learn from 30-year industry legends, collaborate with up-and-coming trailblazers, and feed off the energy of brilliant thought leaders. One person inspires me to be entirely fearless, while another’s pure innovation leaves me in awe. I love watching how these women handle high-pressure environments with absolute grace and ease.

Inspiration is everywhere when you look for it. Ultimately, just like Sally Ride, my goal is to leave a lasting mark: inspiring the next generation and leaving this industry even better than I found it.