Grand Design RV has been named the recipient of the 2026 RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA) Champion of Women Award, recognizing the company’s sustained commitment to advancing women across all levels of the organization and helping shape the future workforce of the RV industry.
The award comes as manufacturers across North America continue to compete for skilled talent and work to expand leadership opportunities in traditionally underrepresented fields.
Presented annually by the RV Women’s Alliance, the Champion of Women Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate measurable commitment to the recruitment, development, advancement and retention of women.
For Grand Design, the recognition follows four nominations and several years of investments in leadership development, mentorship, workplace policies, community engagement and career pathways designed to support women from internship through executive leadership, the company said.
“Creating opportunities for women is not simply a talent initiative. It’s about building a stronger, more resilient organization,” said Mary Minix, vice president of human resources at Grand Design RV. “Our industry benefits when talented people can see a future for themselves, develop their skills and grow into leadership roles. This recognition reflects years of intentional effort by our team members and leaders to make that possible.”
A cornerstone of those efforts has been the company’s Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN), which was established to support professional growth through mentoring, networking, leadership development and educational opportunities, Grand Design said. The program has helped facilitate formal mentorship opportunities, career-development programming, leadership discussions and industry engagement for team members throughout the organization.
In recent years, women have been promoted into executive, director and management positions across the business, while female employees have increasingly participated in succession planning discussions, leadership development initiatives and industry networking opportunities.
Grand Design said it has also introduced workplace enhancements aimed at supporting employees through various stages of their careers and personal lives, including paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers, dedicated lactation accommodations, expanded flexibility with time-off programs and enhanced onboarding experiences.
The company has also focused on building a stronger future leadership pipeline. In 2026, Grand Design launched a new leadership development cohort designed to prepare high-potential employees for expanded responsibilities and future leadership opportunities. The program brings together emerging leaders from across the organization and reflects a broader investment in long-term talent development.
“We believe leadership development starts well before someone receives a promotion,” Minix said. “Providing access to mentorship, meaningful experiences, exposure to senior leaders and professional development opportunities helps individuals build the confidence and skills necessary to succeed.”
The company has also expanded efforts to attract future talent through internships and early-career development opportunities. These programs provide participants with direct access to mentors, real-world project experience and exposure to careers in the RV industry, creating additional pathways into fields where women have historically been underrepresented, Grand Design said.
“While we are honored to receive this award, we view it as encouragement to continue the work,” Minix said. “Our focus remains on developing future leaders, supporting our employees and creating an environment where women can build meaningful careers while helping move our industry forward.”
To learn more about Grand Design, visit granddesignrv.com.
