From Rock Bottom to Wrenches: Elizabeth Kalayjian’s Road to Reinvention
- Nevada Women's Fund
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
For Elizabeth Kalayjian, college was never part of the conversation. Growing up in poverty with five siblings and parents who lacked access to higher education, she faced challenges early on. Addiction claimed ten years of her life, making a stable future feel out of reach; until recovery, motherhood, and a broken-down car changed everything.
With no money to pay for repairs, Elizabeth turned to YouTube. She taught herself how to fix her car, and in doing so, discovered a hidden passion, and talent, for automotive work. That moment of self-empowerment lit a spark that would become her driving force.
In 2019, she moved to Reno with her young son, balancing long workdays with single motherhood, all while nurturing a dream: to become a certified automotive technician and eventually open her own shop. After the pandemic, she took a leap of faith and enrolled at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC).
There, she met a successful female mechanic who became both mentor and role model. With the support of Nevada Women’s Fund and its scholarship program, Elizabeth earned two ASE certifications and graduated in 2025 with her degree in Automotive Technology. Her immediate goal is to develop her skills in a reputable local shop, with a long-term dream of opening a woman-owned garage built on integrity, excellence, and representation in a male-dominated field.
“This scholarship is more than money, it’s a vote of confidence. Knowing someone else believes in me pushes me to keep going.” — Elizabeth Kalayjian
Opportunity in Action
While studying at TMCC, Nevada Women’s Fund connected Elizabeth with two of its corporate scholarship donors: owners of leading automotive dealerships in Northern Nevada. True to its mission, the Fund’s support extends well beyond tuition. It opens doors, fosters mentorships, and creates lasting pathways to success for women.
In May, Elizabeth sent an email that perfectly captured the impact of that support:
“I’m writing to thank Nevada Women’s Fund for all you’ve done for me, my education, and my career. You gave me the courage to pursue this path with confidence. Knowing I had so many women behind me gave me the strength to keep going. I started my new job at Dolan Toyota on Monday, and I’ve never been happier. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and it’s thanks to organizations like yours that believe in women like me.” — Elizabeth Kalayjian
The Power of Partnership
Dolan Auto Group established the Sandi McKee Legacy of Loyalty in Partnership with Tom Dolan & Family Endowed Scholarship in 2022 to honor a woman who, like Elizabeth, never had access to higher education. Since then, the endowment has supported multiple scholarships for women pursuing non-traditional careers.
But Dolan Auto Group didn’t stop at financial support; they offered Elizabeth a job, helping her take the next step toward her dream while also becoming a visible role model for other women in the industry. It’s one thing for a company to fund a scholarship. It’s something even more powerful to create real, career-building opportunities that break barriers and build legacies.
A Broader Vision
Elizabeth’s commitment to her community is just as inspiring as her career journey. Each summer, she and her son hand out water to those living unhoused. In the winter, they donate blankets and coats. One day, she hopes to integrate that compassion into her business by employing individuals experiencing homelessness; offering more than a paycheck, but a second chance, dignity, and hope.
Elizabeth Kalayjian’s story is more than one of personal reinvention. It’s a testament to what happens when resilience meets opportunity, and when women are empowered not just to survive, but to lead.
