(From left to right) Anna Glennon, Jose Acevedo, Ryan Rutledge, Adi Bathla, Emma Sauve, Jack Reusch, Payton Matlock and Kasey Saltness accept the Visionary 8 award during the 2025 SEMA Show.
Each year, the SEMA Visionary 8 Award shines a spotlight on eight rising innovators under the age of 35 who are driving the aftermarket into the future. The recognition honors individuals who demonstrate leadership, integrity, creativity and impact across all corners of the industry. Among the 2025 honorees are four outstanding women: Anna Glennon, Payton Matlock, Kasey Saltnes and Emma Sauve, who are each forging her own path and shaping the next era of the automotive world. Their stories reflect resilience, bold thinking and a deep passion for the communities they serve.
Anna Glennon
Racer, Creator and Early Pioneer of Influencer Marketing
Before most brands recognized the power of creator partnerships, Glennon was already leveraging her unique position as both a racer and a content creator to build innovative collaborations. She understood—in a way only someone who had lived both sides could—how creators could authentically connect enthusiasts with brands.
“I was able to understand both sides of the equation,” said Glennon, explaining how she championed influencer programs long before they became mainstream. Her belief paid off; today, her team operates ahead of the curve in a landscape that once required significant convincing.
As a woman building authority in the aftermarket, Glennon learned to lead with both tact and conviction. “Speak softly but carry a big stick,” she advises. For her, preparation and knowledge are powerful tools, but so is standing firm when challenged.
Glennon sees the Visionary 8 platform as a chance to push future leaders to bring forward new ideas.
“It wasn’t long ago that brands had no interest in influencers. Now it’s everything,” she said. She hopes her example encourages other young people, especially women, to pursue unconventional paths.
Glennon’s advice is simple and honest: Don’t let assumptions define you.
“The biggest challenge was the assumption that as a woman, I couldn’t walk the walk,” she said. By taking automotive classes, asking questions and working on her own racing equipment, Glennon earned respect through capability. Today, she embraces an expansive, collaborative network of women across motorsports and the aftermarket, emphasizing “When we work together, we all win.”
Payton Matlock
Curiosity‑Driven Leader Shaping the Next Wave of Innovation
Though early in her career, Matlock of Transfer Flow has already developed a reputation for her adaptability, sharp instincts and commitment to staying ahead of industry trends. She is always asking questions, staying informed on regulations and studying market shifts to anticipate what comes next.
“Curiosity has been my superpower,” she said. That mindset has helped her navigate everything from new product development to changing customer expectations. Representation matters deeply to Matlock, who wants her success to signal to other women that they belong in this industry and can thrive in it.
As a Visionary 8 recipient, she hopes to remain highly accessible to those just beginning their path. Her approach to leadership centers on thoughtfulness, learning and genuine care for her community. Matlock believes that sharing knowledge and building confidence in others is essential for moving the aftermarket forward.
Kasey Saltness
Relationship Builder and Champion of Women in the Aftermarket
As QA1’s Event & Engagement Specialist, Kasey Saltness has spent the past six years building meaningful connections across the industry through influencer partnerships, event activations and genuine community engagement. She launched QA1’s influencer program, built relationships with top creators and represented her company at more than 50 industry events.
For Saltness, leadership means uplifting others.
“Partnering with women drivers and builders has been most critical to my growth,” she said, citing a woman CEO who modeled passion and presence as a powerful influence on her career. The Visionary 8 distinction motivates her to serve as a visible, approachable example for other young women entering the aftermarket.
Saltness wants her platform to be a place where young professionals feel comfortable asking questions and gaining confidence in their voice. Her hope is that others walk away thinking, “I can do that too.” She credits mentors and community support for shaping her trajectory and now strives to pay that forward, whether through organizing events like the QA1 Open House & Cruise or answering questions from newcomers eager to learn.
Emma Sauve
Creative Director Championing Character and Community
For Emma Sauve of Mobsteel, leadership begins with character as its the core value that has shaped her career. Growing up in the shop, she learned early that while you can’t control others, you can control who you are and how you show up. That outlook continues to guide her work as a creative director, where she approaches each project with humility, curiosity and authenticity.
Sauve sees her role in the industry as one grounded in confidence and value. She credits much of her development to mentors who encouraged her to own her work and never diminish it. As a woman in a male‑dominated space, she embraces the edge that perspective brings.
“We have more women in leadership roles,” she said. “The good old boys’ club is still there, but we have them surrounded.”
Her Visionary 8 recognition gives her a platform she uses intentionally.
“If anyone wants to ask a question or get advice, I give my full attention,” said Sauve.
She prides herself on being someone who breaks down walls, sees people’s passions and encourages them forward. Community is not an accessory to Sauve; it is the foundation of everything she builds. Through her work with the Sauve Art Foundation, she lives out the belief that creativity, connection and conversation fuel innovation.