Melinda Zabritski watched her credit-market workload at a previous post steadily increase with responsibilities in the automotive space. The topic, as well as the people connected to vehicles and how they are financed, prompted Zabritski to seek her current position as senior director of automotive finance at Experian Automotive.

“No offense to other areas of the credit market, but credit cards don’t bring back memories and inspire. Cars, now cars are exciting. Providing insights to help consumers drive away in their dream car, that’s something to pursue,” Zabritski said.

And while she regularly works through enough data to fill an SUV’s cargo area full of hard drives, it’s the opportunity to connect the people to those data points that stirs Zabritski, a 2016 Women in Remarketing honoree.

“I enjoy the passion that is found in this industry and the ability to work across all aspects of this market,” she said. “It’s interesting to be able to view the industry across the entire lifecycle from dealers to lenders to remarketing professionals we all seem to share the same passion for the industry.”

While Zabritski travels the country meeting with clients and industry groups to share Experian’s information, another opportunity she called one of her greatest career highlights is becoming a regular on the morning news program televised by CBS. Zabritski also flourishes in the role of explaining what trends in the auto finance space might mean to the family watching TV while preparing for the day.

“For years, I was frustrated by always hearing people from outside the industry provide credit advice and information. I always felt this information should come from within the industry and finally it happened,” she said.

Whether it’s speaking to parents, dealer principals or finance company executives, Zabritski pointed out the access to information and complexity of analysis are the components of her job responsibilities that has changed most during the past 15 years.

“In a world of Big Data, we’re seeing lenders increase their level of sophistication when it comes to making decisions,” she said. “Whether it is reviewing demographics and targeting new customers or analyzing financial performance trends across a portfolio or reviewing vehicles in operation statistics, data and insights are the keys to understanding the market, the vehicles and the people who buy them.”

“Knowing that so many consumers and industry professionals rely on our data, information and insight to make smarter decisions, makes me strive to provide the best products and services out there,” Zabritski added.

When not scouring data for the latest trends, Zabritski has a bit of an agriculture hobby. “When I’m home, I enjoy my garden and chickens; yes, I have three backyard chickens,” she said.

Traveling is another of Zabritski’s passions, as she makes multiple trips to Europe each year. She recently completed the Cotswold Way, the 102-mile walking trail in England and is looking to spend time in Paris after Used Car Week.

Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees.

These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association.

Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.