Executive Krystal Roberts driving change in auto industry at Advantage Chevrolet in Hodgkins

HODGKINS, Ill. (WLS) — We continue to celebrate Women’s History Month by spotlighting a trailblazer in the auto industry.

For more than two decades, Krystal Roberts has been smashing through barriers in her role as an executive. It’s no stranger to her that she often stands as one of the few women in a room dominated by men, but she doesn’t let that stop her from instigating change.

Roberts challenges the stereotype that women can’t reach higher management positions in the automotive industry. Determined and resilient, she refuses to accept defeat. At corporate gatherings where she finds herself among a handful of women amidst a sea of male attendees, she asserts herself by introducing, “Excuse me, Hi, I’m Krystal Roberts.”

Roberts is the executive manager at Advantage Chevrolet in Hodgkins and a trailblazing woman in the auto industry..

Serving as the dealer advisory president for Chevrolet’s commercial division, Roberts proudly represents commercial dealers nationwide. Standing out as the sole female member on the board, she epitomizes leadership and resilience in a male-dominated industry.

Val: How hard would you say it was for minorities to break into this business?

Roberts: Extremely difficult. And the reason being is dealerships are extremely expensive to purchase.

Val: And when you say expensive, we’re talking 15 to $30 million.

Roberts: That’s correct. General Motors actually had a program though that would invest with minorities.

An opportunity her father took advantage of in the 1980s. Now, the Roberts family owns six dealerships across the Chicagoland area.

Val: How did you get into the family business?

Roberts: Filling vending machines, then I cleaned cars, was a sales assistant, worked in parts, service, the office, administration, sales. So I basically walked, walked in every position in order to get to the position I’m at today. And I wouldn’t have any other way.

Val: Why do you think your father made you do those things?

Roberts: He didn’t want any of us to feel like something was handed to us, that we’ve earned those positions. We would appreciate and respect it even more.

Krystal’s brother, Jason Roberts, the chairman of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, always knew she was a tough fighter..

“I think it was Mayor Daley at the time, here, they had like, a boxing exhibition and I’m watching the news and I’m like, wait a minute, that’s my sister boxing a man,” Jason Roberts said. “And all you saw was the guy’s head going back….don’t mess with this one!
But Jason says its her woman’s touch that’s made a difference in the family business..

“She really kind of had us shift our thought process and she studied metrics,” Jason Roberts said. “She found ways for us to improve, but really she kind of forced us to rethink things. And one of the things that she really kind of keened in on was work-life balance, showing people progression plans and we really kind of rethought how we how we went about our business, not just driving sales, but personal growth for our team.”

Now, she’s making space for more women to be in the room.

“Currently, today, I have 25% of our workforce in this location are females,” Roberts said. “For a lot of women, they don’t see people that look like them represented in the store. So it’s hard for mentorship and leadership and to see people that look like you. So I continue to do that because I want to be an example for women to be encouraged to get involved in this industry.”

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
The Evening Docket (April 21, 2025) - It's a Doozy

Streamlined and Efficient Evening Schedule

So this has been an ever-evolving experiment over the past couple of…
Tom Hanks, 68, goes shirtless in 37th wedding anniversary post with wife Rita Wilson

Tom Hanks, 68, celebrates 37th wedding anniversary with wife Rita Wilson by going shirtless

Tom Hanks shared a photo on Wednesday celebrating his 37th wedding anniversary…
Teen missing more than 4 months found hundreds of miles away in sex offender's home

Teen who was missing for over 4 months discovered in a sex offender’s residence hundreds of miles away

A 16-year-old Missouri girl who had been missing since December was found…
China makes stunning claim about Covid's origins after lab leak furor

China’s surprising assertion about the origins of Covid following controversy over lab leak hypothesis

Beijing has sensationally claimed that America — not China — is to…
'Jeopardy! Masters' returns to primetime; Host Ken Jennings discusses legendary game show tournament

Ken Jennings talks about the legendary game show tournament in the ‘Jeopardy! Masters’ primetime comeback

In New York (WABC), the best contestants from “Jeopardy!” will gather once…
An Ode to Judy Gemstone, TV’s Poet Laureate of Nonsense

Celebrating Judy Gemstone, the TV Star Known for Her Quirky Poetry

Merriam-Webster may have played a role in making the English language popular,…
Tucker Carlson makes explosive claims about Michelle Obama in blistering new attack on former first lady

Tucker Carlson makes bold accusations about Michelle Obama in scathing new criticism of former first lady

According to Tucker Carlson, Michelle Obama is thought to harbor animosity towards…
Lincoln Avenue construction in heart of square impacts businesses, spurs conversation for more pedestrian-only areas

Roadwork on Lincoln Avenue in the center of the square influences local businesses and prompts discussions about creating more areas exclusively for pedestrians.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Construction closes a dense block of Lincoln Avenue. For…
Chicago man Chakib Mansour Khodja arrested, charged in sex crime attacks on women in Logan Square, Lakeview in 2022, 2025: CPD

“Update: Cook County Reports First Measles Cases of 2025, Including 1 in Chicago”

MARION, Ill. (WLS) — The Chicago Department of Public Health and Cook…
Diego Luna Achieves Peak Hottness As Undercover Space Spy Hot Varian Skye  in ‘Andor’ 

Diego Luna Reaches His Most Attractive in ‘Andor’ Playing the Undercover Space Agent Hot Varian Skye

Diego Luna is known for his good looks and charm, especially in…
Weezer bassist's wife cleans up her style act for first court date after being shot by cops

The wife of the Weezer bassist improves her appearance for her initial court appearance following a police shooting.

Scott Shriner, the bassist of Weezer, saw his wife Jillian Lauren make…
Lorde unveils SHOCKING cover art for new album Virgin featuring her crotch area as fans spot alarming detail

Lorde reveals SURPRISING album cover for Virgin, showcasing her lower body as eagle-eyed fans notice concerning element

Lorde has shocked fans as she debuted her new album artwork and…