The Women in Fleet Profile series introduces fleet managers to some of the most influential women in fleet. Every month, we will get to know another positive force in fleet. 

This month, we spoke with Jennifer Costabile, general director fleet marketing, rental sales and remarketing for General Motors Fleet. 

Getting into Fleet

Costabile has worked for General Motors for 34 years, the past seven of which have been involved with fleet. 

“In my role, I wear multiple hats and lead a great team, which makes for an exciting work day. I manage all marketing and advertising activities for GM Fleet. I also lead our sales innovation team, which explores new business opportunities and develops new tools and technology to help grow our business. Finally, I lead our remarketing group and our rental sales team. We lead initiatives focused on balancing our rental plan and portfolio,” Costabile said. 

Prior to joining GM Fleet, Costabile was on the Buick GMC leadership team as the general sales director. 

“GM Fleet leadership thought my experiences would make me a great fit for their team and asked me to join and lead marketing innovation — particularly, to develop a new brand identity. I truly enjoy GM’s fleet business and it shows. Over the past seven years my responsibilities have grown and it’s been a very fulfilling experience,” she said.

Innovation and creativity are just two of Costabile’s driving forces. She is always on the lookout for opportunities for growth and embraces change.  

“I have had success at many different levels of my career, from helping GM dealers win in the marketplace to launching new Cadillacs. I love being innovative, so creating all new sales innovation plans for GM Fleet, have been some of my proudest moments. I led the development of the all new Business Elite Dealer program, transforming how we go to market with our commercially-minded dealers. I also changed how we hold our customer events, including GM Fleet’s Solutions Summits,” Costabile said.

A focus on relationship building is one of the ways Costabile has continued her success in fleet. 

“On the fleet side of the business, we work more directly with our customers and build strong relationships. These relationships give me a great deal of knowledge of our customers business needs and lead me to take more customer-centric approaches. I don’t just want GM Fleet to have business success, I want our customers to have success in their businesses as well — this has really been a driving force for me,” she said.

Costabile has one piece of advice for others in this growing and changing industry: “Really getting to know and understanding the customers we work with is key to finding success in fleet. Networking is also critical, inside and outside of your department. There are so many people that can help you grow in your career, so make it a point to interact with others and learn,” Costabile urged.

Get to Know Me

Experience is only part of our story and what someone likes to read, watch, and listen to can help paint a fuller picture of their personality. Here are some of Costabile’s favorites: 

• Book: “It’s a classic, but I love 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' particularly the way the author depicts the family bonds through a father is who kind and represents a strong moral compass to his children and the community,” Costabile said.

• Movie: “I can watch 'The Shawshank Redemption' over and over again. It’s a great story of friendship about hope that never gets old,” she said.

• Song: “Anything by Earth, Wind & Fire — need I say more?” Costabile said.

• You May Not Know:: “I am an avid tennis player and try to make it to the court whenever I can. I love to read. I’m a huge fan of University of Michigan, it’s where I earned my degree and I’ll always root for them. As we say in our fight song, ‘Hail! Hail! To Michigan the champions of the West!’"

Related: Meet Safelite’s Erin Gilchrist