» Back to 100 Leading Women home page        

Why did you want to work in the auto industry? When I compared marketing and selling toothpaste vs. cars, cars won hands down. The emotion and passion surrounding the automobile business drew me in, and I never looked back.

First automotive job: In November 1983 I did the Ford college graduate training program at Lincoln Mercury in the Washington, D.C., district office and was offered a job.

Proudest professional achievement: The Jaguar City Takeover campaign for the XJ we are now doing. We were able to go into the two largest markets — Los Angeles and New York — and we were everywhere.

Current challenge at work: We are a small company, and there is a challenge trying to manage dealers who have to deal with the recession. Everyone wants Jaguar to succeed. The new XJ is crucial. It is a car that needs to be a success for us and the dealers.

What you do to relax: I garden, mostly flowers, and do landscaping at my home in New Jersey. I like to get my hands in the dirt.

— Diana T. Kurylko