The new president and CEO of AIA Canada is a familiar face to many. Emily Chung, a former shop owner, has been appointed to the role.
She will take over as of Jan. 2, succeeding J.F. Champagne, who announced earlier this year that he will be leaving his post as of June 2026
Chung owned AutoNice in Markham, Ont. She sold her shop at the start of the year. She joined Auto Service World Conversations in the late summer to discuss the journey of opening and then selling her shop. She has also been a frequent voice in CARS magazine, speaking last year on the growth of women in the industry, as well as the challenge of drawing in pros as classroom instructors at the high school level.
She teaches at Georgian College’s Automotive Business School of Canada and is a board member of the Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario. Chung holds a 310S Automotive Service Technician–Red Seal certification. She is a Honours Bachelor of Arts graduate in psychology and business from the University of Waterloo and has an executive MBA with a specialization in Business Analytics Leadership from the University of Fredericton.
Tune in to hear Emily Chung speak about the journey of selling her shop
“We are thrilled to welcome Emily as our next President and CEO,” said Tony Kuczynski, chair of the AIA Canada Board of Directors. “Her passion and deep experience across every level of the automotive industry make her uniquely qualified to lead AIA Canada and to champion the challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s automotive aftermarket.”
In 2024, she was awarded the 2024 Ontario Premier’s Award for Skilled Trades and Centennial College’s Alumni of Distinction Award. She has also made regular appearances on CBC, CP24 AutoShop, and Amazon Live and she is a frequent contributor to public panels advocating for the Right to Repair and other key sector issues.
“I am honoured to step into this role at such a pivotal moment for our industry,” said Chung. “AIA Canada has long been a strong, unified voice for the auto care sector, and I look forward to building on that foundation.”
Image credit: Depositphotos.com
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