Meet Karen Raid
Manager, Aftermarket and Additional Products
With over a decade at SG Fleet and more than 20 years in the broader fleet and automotive industry, Karen Raid brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic career journey to her current role.
Starting out in the hospitality sector, Karen honed her skills in customer service and operations through roles in banquet management, restaurant service, and conference sales, including a memorable stint as a wedding coordinator.
Karen's transition into the fleet industry began in 2003 with a temp role in the Registrations team at Custom Fleet (later GE), where her interest in cars and connection with great colleagues sparked a long-term passion for the sector. Karen’s career has since spanned Novated and Corporate Sales, Procurement, and OEM relations, including a Senior Buyer role managing dealer networks.
Joining SG Fleet in 2015 as Aftermarket Manager, Karen has since held roles in pricing, OEM partnerships, project and product management, before returning to lead the Aftermarket & Additional Products portfolio across ANZ. Known for her adaptability and continuous learning mindset, Karen embraces every challenge as an opportunity and looks forward to the next chapter in her evolving career.
Discover how Karen pioneered the the Women’s Network at SG Fleet and what she’s excited to focus on in the year ahead.
Your involvement with the Women’s Network
What inspired you to become a Chair of the Women’s Network?
The opportunity to work with some amazing women and drive real change within our organisation across all our teams globally. It was a significant learning curve, but I loved being part of something incredible alongside so many inspiring and wonderful women at SG Fleet. We all worked together to implement something we were truly passionate about. I’m very proud of this contribution and can’t wait to see where the SGWN will be in five years.
What does the Women’s Network mean to you personally?
The SGWN connected with so many women across SG Fleet who were seeking something more.
As women, we juggle work, family, health and social expectations, which can be particularly challenging at certain times in life. Creating a network within the workplace that offered a safe space to learn, share experiences and connect with others facing similar challenges was incredibly important.
The sense of belonging and being part of something designed specifically for women in the workplace sparked genuine excitement. The initial interest was overwhelming, and the momentum continued to grow. It was truly rewarding to help create an environment that was both accepted and supported across the organisation.
What are some of the key initiatives or moments you’re most proud of so far?
Some of the initiatives I’m most proud of include:
Introducing period products into every SG Fleet office, providing education on child online exploitation, and starting open conversations with both men and women about women’s health—particularly perimenopause and menopause—which really resonated with the demographic of women at SG Fleet.
The Red Cross blood drive was another meaningful initiative, inspired by one of the founding members of the SGWN. It reminded us how a small donation can make a life-saving difference.
Looking ahead
What are your hopes or goals for the Women’s Network in the next 12 months?
The change in Chairperson to Gen brings a fresh perspective to the Women’s Network, and I’m excited to support her alongside our new Co-Chair, Amelia.
Working with Gen and Amelia to strengthen and evolve the network is incredibly exciting, both personally and professionally.
There’s a renewed focus on supporting women’s community and sporting teams, and it’s fantastic to see SG Fleet getting behind the rise of women’s sport.
Ongoing growth of our key charity partnerships will be essential in continuing to give back to the community. We’re also looking to initiate best practice sessions with Women’s Networks from other organisations, which will be a valuable opportunity to learn, collaborate and share ideas.
How do you see the network making a difference for women at SG Fleet and beyond?
We have implemented a global network of women working to educate and support key initiatives relevant in the region.
We’ve created a community to share moments of heartbreak and inspiration, the connection and deeper understanding of what other women are facing has been so important to many women across SG Fleet – this platform seems to have been very much needed based on the amazing feedback we have received from women. This has been a game changer and I would love to continue being a part of this.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about getting involved in the network?
Absolutely, 100%. What I have learnt personally and professionally from being a part of the women’s network is inspiring and will stay with me forever.
I’ve connected with some amazing women and developed a network I can always lean on for personal and professional guidance. Take the leap and be part of something amazing – you will not regret it!