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 Jessica Cook, group product manager at CarGurus.

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?
I grew up in Westford, Massachusetts on a farm, so my path into the auto industry started in a pretty unconventional way: with horses. I spent a lot of time riding on trails when I was younger, and that’s where I met friends who rode dirt bikes. We’d even race my horse against their bikes, which, looking back, was probably the beginning of my obsession with anything fast and loud.

Over time, horses turned into dirt bikes, and then dirt bikes turned into cars.  I became fascinated with how things worked under the hood. I’ve rebuilt motors in a few of my own cars, spent years going to car shows, and always loved being around car culture.

What I enjoy most about the industry, though, is the people. Car people — whether they work in this industry or just appreciate it on their own time — are unlike anyone else. Shared hobbies somehow turn into lifelong friendships really quickly in this world.

What is the top trend you’re watching in the used-car industry this year?
The biggest trend I’m watching right now is how dealerships can actually use AI in practical ways to make their day-to-day lives easier. At CarGurus, I spend a lot of time thinking about all the different systems and tools dealers bounce between every day to stay on top of this fast-moving industry. At any given time, a dealer is juggling pricing, inventory, merchandising, leads, and operations all at once.

We’re focused on building AI-powered tools and features that help dealers streamline their processes and cut through all the different data they’re getting so they can make profitable decisions with greater confidence. I’m especially excited about helping dealers make faster decisions, save time, and focus more energy on running their business.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
The accomplishment I’m most proud of is being nominated twice for President’s Club at CarGurus. I always considered being nominated at all to be a once-in-a-career accomplishment, let alone being recognized twice.

What makes it especially meaningful to me is that the nominations came from our sales organization — a group here at CarGurus that I really value and respect since they’re the people talking to dealers every single day. A lot of what I’ve learned about the industry has come from listening to them and understanding the unique challenges that dealers face.

I’m also proud that I’m completely self-taught. Earlier in my career, somebody took a chance on me when I didn’t necessarily have the traditional background for the role. I think about that often because I genuinely would not be where I am today without someone believing in me early on.

What book, film or song has inspired you personally or professionally?
Growing up around dirt bikes and eventually cars, “The Fast and the Furious” was definitely a movie that stuck with me. Looking back, though, what resonated with me most was the sense of teamwork throughout the movie. It showed how people with different backgrounds and skill sets could come together around a shared passion and build strong relationships through trust and collaboration. Professionally, that’s something I still value today and one of the things I enjoy most about working in the automotive industry.

Who is someone who has inspired you personally or professionally?
My parents are my biggest inspiration. Growing up on a farm, hard work wasn’t really optional; it was just part of life. If I didn’t get good grades or finish my chores, I had to deal with the consequence of not getting to do the things I loved most. Looking back, that taught me a lot about accountability, consistency, and earning things rather than expecting them.

At the same time, my parents also taught me the importance of family and showing up for people. A lot of how I approach leadership, teamwork, and relationships today comes directly from how I was raised.