Recession, greener pastures thin the ranks of automotive women
12:01 am U.S. ET | Sept. 13 2010
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Catcalls, girlie calendars on the walls, being mistaken for secretaries or wives, having to use the worker's entrance at men-only clubs. Many of today's top women in the auto industry have seen a lot during their careers. Some behavior has been clueless but not malicious. Other episodes suggest downright hazing. The good thing: Such behavior has diminished tremendously.
Juggling day care pickups, soccer schedules, household tasks and work that goes beyond 9-to-5 has long been a struggle for working women. In decades past, the auto industry took that to an extreme. It's still a challenge, especially the higher the climb up the corporate ladder. But helping the cause is that men, especially younger men, want to go to those soccer games, too — or they now get stuck at home when the sitter doesn't show up.
Twelve automotive executives gathered for a panel discussion of Automotive News' 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. The women agreed that the Detroit 3 are accommodating to women who want to balance work and family responsibilities. But some said some suppliers and foreign automakers lag behind the Detroit 3.
To attract women, industry must change recruiting methods
Increasing the number of women in the auto industry requires some new approaches to recruiting, said participants at a roundtable of some of the 100 Leading Women. One key is portraying fields such as powertrain engineering as cool, they said.
Three General Motors executives who had been on Automotive News' tentative list of 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry have since been posted abroad. Because they are not based in North America, they were removed from the list even though their influence and reach may have expanded.
How we selected 100 leaders
For 10 years we have intently watched women in the auto industry. Three times, we have compiled a list of 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. This is how we do it.
100 Leading Women, 2010
 Olga ALAVANOUExecutive Vice President of Supply Chain Management • Yazaki North America • Age 48Read More » |
 Birgit BEHRENDTExecutive Director, Global Programs and the Americas Purchasing • Ford Motor Co. • Age 50Read More » |
 Alicia BOLER-DAVISNorth American Vehicle Line Executive, Vehicle Chief Engineer for the Gamma Platform; and Plant Manager, Orion Assembly • General Motors Co. • Age 41Read More » |
 Susan BRENNANVice President, Manufacturing — Smyrna/Decherd • Nissan North America Inc. • Age 48Read More » |
 Jully BURAUGlobal Vehicle Chief Engineer, Full-Sized Trucks and Vans • General Motors Co. • Age 53Read More » |
 Kelli CARNEYSenior Vice President, Purchasing • International Automotive Components Group • Age 46Read More » |
 Linda CASHDirector, North America Vehicle Operations Manufacturing Engineering • Ford Motor Co. • Age 48Read More » |
 Sue CISCHKEGroup Vice President, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering • Ford Motor Co. • Age 56Read More » |
 Barbra COOPERGroup Vice President and Chief Information Officer • Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. • Age 62Read More » |
 Judy CURRANDirector, Vehicle Evaluation and Verification & PD Factory • Ford Motor Co. • Age 49Read More » |
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