Della Penna Foundation Adds Courtney Crone to Driver Advisory Council

The Della Penna Foundation Is Closing the Gender Gap in Motorsports

by Amber Turpin

October 24, 2024

For some of us, the idea of starting a motorsports organization might seem completely out of left field. But for Michelle Della Penna, daughter of legendary IndyCar team owner John Della Penna, the concept was second nature. Having grown up around the racetrack, immersed in all things motor and racing, Della Penna felt compelled to tap into that background as a tribute to her father after his death. But in a new, progressive way for the next generation.

“I’m a business owner and entrepreneur and have done a lot of things in my life. I’m also a mom of three boys. But when my dad died about five years ago, I was at the track with one of my sons and I realized there were only one or two girls on the grid,” says Della Penna. “I asked myself why aren’t there more girls? And it occurred to me, maybe in honor of my dad I could sponsor a scholarship for a young lady.”

The light bulb moment ultimately led to the creation in 2021 of Della Penna Motorsports Next Gen Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to close the gender gap in the motorsports industry by empowering young women and girls ages 5 to 16 with mentorship opportunities, experiential knowledge, expertise and skill in a direct, hands-on way.

“It became clear that just one scholarship for one little girl just doesn’t move the needle enough. So it was asking the question of ‘What are the tenets to follow?’, which led to the foundation.”

Once she had that clarity, the wheels started moving really fast. The initial idea came in February, and she filed for 501(c)(3) status in May, with the first event happening in September of 2021 at Laguna Seca. That was a big deal for Della Penna, it being her “home track.” And the process of putting together the foundation team was no small feat, but through friends and word of mouth, Della Penna was introduced to Susan Lucas-Conwell, who became the foundation’s executive director. They immediately connected and mapped out what support they needed, identifying that a board of directors and community engagement would both be crucial. Lucas-Conwell was followed by foundation members Lyn St. James and Beth Paretta.

“Lyn St. James, I grew up watching her, she’s a legend. She took my call right away and said ‘Whatever you need!’ Beth Paretta came at the same time. They are titans in this industry, and they became our pillars for this organization,” says Della Penna.

The opportunities for girls are impressive and keep growing. Recently wrapping up the Ferrari Challenge at the Sonoma Raceway, with which the foundation is closely tied, the organization is rolling out its scholarship program for 2025 and heading to Indianapolis for its third annual immersive weekend there — with capacity doubled in light of how many applicants wanted to take part.

Luckily for local girls looking to get more involved, “we have a pretty strong foothold in the Bay Area, primarily in Sonoma. We go out to local high schools, boys and girls clubs, and invite local girls out to events,” says Della Penna. “We also have fellowships that are weeklong events for young ladies to shadow a female driver for a week. It’s a deep dive into all things motorsports.”