Is your car’s safety based on a man?

WHAT’S ON DECK

• Tell Me More: Why more women die in car crashes

• Troublemaker Spotlight: Katie Babineau, CMO of Beyond Yoga

• Dear FQ: How can I speak up and be heard?

• Poll the Pack: Would you recommend the company you work for?

TELL ME MORE

Women are more likely to die in car crashes. A bipartisan bill in U.S. Congress—the “She DRIVES Act”—is finally pushing to change that.

Here's a jarring reality: Women are 73% more likely to be seriously injured in a head-on car crash compared to men in the same crash. The cause? Cars that aren’t designed with women's bodies in mind. For decades, the automotive industry has treated male bodies as the default driver, leaving women vulnerable to preventable injuries and deaths. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) five-star safety rating program is widely acknowledged as the ultimate vehicle safety indicator for consumers. The safety rating test does not require that female crash test dummies be used in the driver’s seat for frontal crash tests. Typically, the frontal crash uses only male dummies (modeled after the average male body in the 1970s) in the driver’s seat. Women are given the role of co-pilot, with a smaller, female-like dummy in the passenger seat. Not to mention, seatbelts and airbags are optimized for male bodies. 

The female crash test dummy specs are also worth highlighting: The NHTSA’s current female crash test dummy is 4 '11" and weighs 108 pounds. It’s modeled after the smallest 5% of American women—and even the CEO of the leading dummy manufacturer admits it’s basically just a downsized male dummy with “a chest strapped on to it.”

Does this reflect the average American woman? The numbers say we’ve failed female drivers. 

• Female drivers and front seat passengers are 17% more likely to be killed in a car crash.

• Women are more likely to end up with injuries in non-fatal crashes. 

Keep in mind, women influence 85% of all car buying decisions in the U.S., representing billions of dollars in economic power. When we design and test vehicles for the "average male," we're leaving out over half the population, and failing the primary decision maker. 

So what’s being done? The "She DRIVES Act" is a bipartisan bill in U.S. Congress that's pushing for updated crash test standards, including female crash test dummies in the driver's seat for frontal crash tests—not just relegated to the passenger seat. 

Calling for updated crash test standards that actually reflect the average woman’s body, not a one-size-fits-all model stuck in the past, is a simple fix. Because when safety testing includes real women, it doesn’t just check a box—it saves lives.

TROUBLEMAKER SPOTLIGHT

Katie Babineau, CMO of Beyond Yoga

Growing up as an athlete, Katie Babineau always knew the power of movement. Little did she know it would move her to make a giant career pivot, steering her career in an entirely new direction after working for consumer tech giants like Apple and Snap. Instead, Katie leaned into the power of a female-led, female-forward brand she already knew and loved: Beyond Yoga. After one conversation with Nancy Green (the CEO of Beyond Yoga), Katie was hooked. Now, as CMO, Katie has bold plans to champion every body type. And after just one year in the role, she’s made it clear: this is only the beginning.

FQ: What’s the worst career advice you’ve gotten?

KB: Just be nice.

I think what the person meant was to be kind and empathetic. But to me, nice is perceived as, “Don't cause any trouble.” There’s a big difference between being empathetic and being agreeable. We need to value thoughtful perspective, not silent compliance. Empathy doesn’t mean erasing your voice.

What’s the best piece of non-obvious career advice you’ve gotten?

It works until it doesn't. 

I'm such a fixer that when I feel moments of tension, I tend to lean in and fix. I’ve learned that if you give it all you've got and it's just not getting better, then it may be time to look at things differently, and make a change. I've tried to listen to my intuition more heavily now with more years and experience under my belt.

What was a “heartbeat moment” for you in your career?

I've spent the bulk of my career building lifestyle brands in consumer tech, and I started to get the urge to try something new. I was looking for an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and really learn. When I came to Beyond Yoga, I didn't realize how refreshing it would feel to be a part of a female-led, female-run, female-founded business. I've really fallen in love with getting to be a part of this brand's growth journey with values at the forefront.

Who is one person you’d love to give flowers to from your career that influenced your journey?

Kenny Mitchell is a forever mentor and friend. I had the privilege of being a part of his leadership team at Snapchat, and he introduced me to the world of Beyond Yoga as part of the Levi's portfolio of brands. Getting to be in his orbit is an honor and I'm always taking notes! He's led some of the most impactful, culturally relevant work in our business.

Where have you caused trouble?

Beyond Yoga is a real disruptor in the industry. They were one of the first brands 20 years ago to cut through and create athleisure for all body types even if it wasn't popular or widely seen. I feel passionate about keeping that legacy alive and representing all different types of people in the wellness space—different generations, different backgrounds. It's part of our DNA. I'm excited to get up to more good trouble!

Want to nominate a “Troublemaker” you admire? You can do so here.

DEAR FQ

Your burning career questions answered

Vanessa Buenger of The Female Quotient weighs in:

I know this situation can be incredibly frustrating. First things first, I want you to know that your feelings are completely valid.

With that, it's vital to speak up and advocate for yourself, but also remember that when colleagues repeat your ideas, they may not be doing so with any negative intent. Their actions might simply reflect a moment of enthusiasm or oversight. Instead of assuming bad intent, let’s focus on amplifying your voice.

Try bridging the moment with a reinforcement of your contribution: For instance, if a colleague echoes your idea, you might say, "I agree! That's a great idea. I actually shared a similar concept a few weeks ago. I’d love to work together on this." This not only reminds everyone of your original contribution, but also fosters collaboration and invites further discussion. 

If you notice a pattern where your contributions continue to be overshadowed, it might be time to talk to your manager. Explain the situation, share your experience, and ask for honest feedback. Often, even great leaders can be distracted by the noise, and a candid conversation can help ensure you receive the credit you deserve.

And remember, if after all your diligent efforts you still feel that your ideas are undervalued or overlooked, it’s okay to reassess your work environment. You deserve a space where your voice matters and your contributions are recognized.

Don’t let anything stop you from making the impact you’re meant to have.

P.S. Got a burning career question? Serve it up here to Dear FQ to score advice from a powerhouse leader in our network.

POLL THE PACK

Employee referrals are a trust signal to leadership

Would you recommend your company to a friend? It’s a powerful question—and a strong indicator of how connected employees feel to their workplace.

In our FQ community poll, 38% said “definitely” and another 36% said “maybe” or “probably.” That means three-quarters of employees see real potential in their organizations—and that’s an opportunity.

The “movable middle” is where growth happens. These are employees who want to feel even more engaged, supported, and seen. And when companies invest in culture, through flexibility, belonging, recognition, and purpose, that “maybe” can become a “definitely.”

What makes the difference?

• Managers who lead with empathy.

• Clear, open feedback loops.

• Cultures where everyone feels seen and heard.

Because when employees feel valued, they don’t just show up—they speak up, stay longer, and help bring in the next generation of talent. Bottom line: Your people are your greatest advocates.

Keep going. The impact you’re meant to make is already in motion.

Xo,

The FQ

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