International Women’s Day series: Nicole Taborga Delius & Claudia Manterola

In recognition of International Women’s Day, we’ve been featuring colleagues across Inchcape’s global operations and highlighting their inspiring journeys.

We’re concluding this series with Nicole Taborga Delius, Brand Specialist based in Bolivia, and Claudia Manterola, F&I and Lifecycle Businesses Director in Chile. Their experiences highlight the powerful impact of mentorship and how guidance and support help us to grow, overcome challenges and unlock our full potential.

Nicole – Can you tell us about your career journey so far?

I’ve been working in the automotive industry for nine years, focusing on commercial analysis and brand management. My career has been a journey of constant learning, working with market data, optimising product portfolios and leading cross-functional teams. I’ve always been drawn to opportunities that help me grow personally and professionally, which is why I was thrilled to be nominated for the Aspire Programme.

Nicole – What was your experience of the Aspire Programme, and how has it helped you take the next step in your career?

The Aspire Programme was an incredible experience! It pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and helped me see myself in a different light. Through the workshops, I gained a deeper understanding of my strengths and how to use them effectively.  I also learned to accept my weaknesses and embrace imperfection as part of the journey. Rather than seeing them as setbacks, I now view them as opportunities for growth and self-improvement.

Hearing the stories of successful women at Inchcape, like Claudia Manterola, was especially inspiring.

What stood out to me was how Claudia always focused on building strong connections, both within her team and with professionals outside of it. When she needed professional growth, she was always open to learning from others and listening to their experiences.

Claudia embraced the challenge of stepping into new and unfamiliar areas within Inchcape. Her ability to manage fear of the unknown and focus on preparation taught me the value of trusting myself and taking proactive steps toward growth.

This mindset inspired me to take on new challenges and explore areas I hadn’t ventured into before, showing me the power of determination, perseverance and the importance of believing in myself.

Claudia – What did it mean for you to be a mentor and guest speaker in the Aspire programme, and what are your reflections on your experience of doing so?

I am grateful that they considered me. It was a challenge to think about what I could share from my experience that would connect, make sense and might mobilise someone.

By participating in the programme as a mentor, I became aware of the positive impact that sharing one’s own experience can have if it is shared in a close, simple and honest way.

Nicole – What does this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action, mean to you?

For me, ‘Accelerate Action’ is about embracing and amplifying the unique qualities of being a woman and turning them into strengths that differentiate us in our professional fields. As women, our perspective, empathy, resilience and creativity are powerful assets that drive innovation and positive change.

It’s also about supporting one another, creating a network where we can lift each other up. Within Inchcape, I’ve seen how important it is to work together and encourage each other to break through limiting beliefs that hold us back. When we focus on collaboration and empowerment, we overcome those barriers and unlock our full potential.

Claudia – What advice would you give women who are early in their careers and looking to grow within the industry?

I would highlight four things that looking back have allowed me to grow and learn:

Having a career plan is necessary, but being flexible and willing to discover the opportunities that appear along the way is essential, so that the plan does not become rigid.

I’ve also learned that it’s important to identify your challenges, whether it’s a leadership challenge or a technical challenge.

Identifying your stakeholders and making sure your work is valued and rewarded is crucial. I’ve learned it’s complementary and necessary for career progression.

Lastly, my experience has taught me that self-awareness is essential for growth, as it involves exploration, recognition of one’s strengths and weaknesses, and the acceptance of transformation.

A big thank you to Nicole and Claudia for sharing their inspiring stories. This concludes our International Women’s Day 2025 series but stay tuned for more inspiring insights from our Inchcape colleagues in the future.