Karen Bailey-Chapman has built a powerhouse career at the intersection of public affairs, policy, and passion—now serving as Senior Vice President of Public and Government Affairs at SEMA, where she champions the automotive aftermarket and enthusiast community on Capitol Hill and beyond.

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, Karen shares how her career evolved across gaming, beverage, and now automotive—and why advocacy is essential for the future of car culture, motorsports, and small business innovation.

We explore:

• ​How SEMA and PRI work to protect access to racetracks and aftermarket products
• ​What the recent end of federal EV mandates means for enthusiasts and businesses
• ​Balancing EV innovation with ICE preservation in a changing automotive landscape
• ​The behind-the-scenes wins that safeguard enthusiast rights
• ​How legislation affects the average modifier, builder, or racer
• ​Ways young people—especially women—can get involved in policy and advocacy
• ​Karen’s passion for the outdoors, her Jeep, and why her personal life fuels her mission
• ​Her advice for the next generation of changemakers in automotive
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If you’ve ever modded a car, tracked a build, or care about where the industry’s headed—this episode is for you.

🛠️ Learn more about SEMA’s advocacy work: sema.org

🎧 More episodes: bedifferentialpodcast.com