In an industry that has long been dominated by tradition and male leadership, Kathryn Schifferle, founder and Chief Vision Officer of Work Truck Solutions, joins us in today’s episode of Women Driving the Industry. During our conversation, Schifferle discusses how she has created a significant space for innovation and inclusion. As the founder and Chief Vision Officer of Work Truck Solutions, she transformed a central blind spot in the commercial vehicle sector into a billion-dollar data platform that helps over 1,300 dealerships, and counting, streamline fleet operations, grow profitability, and better serve business buyers.
Before launching Work Truck Solutions in 2012, Schifferle had already established herself as a serial entrepreneur. While teaching marketing and entrepreneurship at Chico State, she was introduced to the commercial vehicle space through FordPros Magazine, a trade publication she helped launch. This experience opened her eyes to a $130 billion segment that had gone largely unaddressed.
Work Truck Solutions has since developed into a centralized platform that supports a wide-ranging ecosystem, including dealers, OEMs, upfitters, and fleet management companies. Its core mission is to organize and present commercial inventory data, enhancing visibility for both sellers and buyers.
"The one thing that I am the most proud of is that we have built a company where people actually wait in line to become an employee and refer other people."
Fleet sales and opportunities
As dealerships aim to improve their profit margins, Schifferle highlights fleet sales as a promising area for growth. Business-to-business sales remain stable even in challenging economic conditions and can provide higher margins when managed effectively. With OEMs now promoting tools like telematics and fleet management systems, commercial sales present opportunities to expand fixed operations and develop recurring revenue streams.
Additionally, Work Truck Solutions has established a strong internal culture from its inception. Values such as transparency, collaboration, and accountability are integral to the company’s structure, enabling it to operate efficiently and attract top talent. Schifferle underscores the importance of thoughtful hiring, alignment on goals, and genuine delegation as the cornerstones of effective leadership.
Adapting across industries
Having worked in traditionally male-dominated industries, Schifferle brings a unique approach to leadership in the automotive sector. Rather than viewing gender imbalances as barriers, she sees them as opportunities to foster collaboration and facilitate meaningful conversations. Her leadership style emphasizes shared purpose and solution-building, rather than focusing on ego or positional authority.
Further, Schifferle encourages young women to prioritize aligning themselves with strong teams and positive company cultures instead of adhering to rigid career paths. She highlights the significance of continuous learning, adaptability, and character over mere titles or credentials. In her perspective, success stems from being dependable, remaining curious, and making meaningful contributions, regardless of gender.
She also believes the industry should take greater steps to clearly communicate career opportunities to women, including providing education on negotiation and advancement. Instead of relying solely on symbolic efforts, she advocates for practical tools and outreach initiatives that demonstrate what is achievable.
Ultimately, Schifferle has created more than just a platform; she has developed a model for modern leadership in the automotive industry. Her work exemplifies the power of insight, integrity, and culture-driven growth, offering both a blueprint and an invitation for others to lead effectively where it matters.
