Lauren Mendelson

Above anything else, Lauren is the committed mother of two incredible daughters and the loving wife of David Mendelson, an orthopedic surgeon and sly humorist with whom she shares her passion for automobiles, music, and public education.

For Lauren, cars are above all dynamic works of art that express the finest of human capabilities and experience. A Detroit native who grew up in the auto industry, often joining her father as a little girl at his parts business, she has always been fascinated with and immersed in automobilia within the broader context of popular culture. She likes the right pedal, too.

Long before she began curating her exceptional collection of highly prized automobiles, many styled to her design aesthetic, Lauren established her gear head cred by teaching herself to drive stick with her first car – a 1971 240Z – before moving on to her second, an icon of Detroit muscle, the original Dodge Challenger. Since those days, she has travelled and driven around the world but always called the Motor City home, striving to promote its image and the welfare of its citizens through literacy and music programs.

Lauren is a member of the Alfa Romeo Owner’s Club, BMW Car Club of America, Morgan Owners Group Great Lakes, The Maserati Club, The Mercedes Benz Club of America – AMG Private Lounge Member, and sits on the Board of the Michigan Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America. She has tracked and enjoyed HPDE at locations as diverse as BMW’s Greensville SC Proving Grounds and Circuit of The Americas in Texas. Lauren is widely known as a hostess, raconteur, jazz and art aficionado, and stylist, making her a much sought-after mainstay of area Concours d’Elegance and other automotive events. She may also have the world’s most uncanny natural talent for parallel parking.

An active member of DAC since 2014, Lauren is affiliated with the Ladies Tuesday Bowling League, the Fitness Club, the Single Malt Society, and the Wine Society.