How we selected 100 Leading Women

For more than 20 years, Automotive News has closely monitored the progress women have made in the auto industry.

Every five years since 2000, we have put together a list of 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. Assembling it is always challenging. Twenty years ago it was difficult to find enough executives with authority; this year, the challenge of our fifth list was choosing among hundreds of powerful female executives.

The nominees were evaluated by a team of Automotive News editors and reporters; Michelle Lytle, managing director at Deloitte; and Nancy Philippart, general partner and co-founder of Belle Michigan, an early-stage venture fund that invests in women-led startups. Philippart was on the list in 2000 when she was at General Motors.

The selection committee looked for influential women who make major decisions. We considered the size and importance of the candidate's business; the health and direction of the business; and the arc of her career. We favored women in key product-development and manufacturing jobs. We selected executives from 72 companies.The list is a tremendously strong roster of talented, powerful women. They are at the forefront of thousands of successful female executives in the auto industry.

Their accomplishments are exemplary, and it is with great pride that we celebrate their success and with keen interest that we watch what they will accomplish next.