2000 AUTOMOTIVE NEWS 100 LEADING WOMEN AWARDS

Education: B.A., history, University of California; M.A., history, University of Arizona; J.D., UCLA School of Law; Graduate, 1979 National Institute Trial Advocacy, Regional Program; Participant, Program on Negotiation for Senior Executives, Harvard Law School

First automotive job: Senior Counsel, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., 1985

Proudest achievement: "Being part of the creation of a (legal) department that is fully aligned with the business. We really have worked very hard to not be naysayers but to bind with the business. The approach of a lawyer is to facilitate business and not interfere with it."

On being successful: "I'm useful. I've been able to come in at a critical time and take on major responsibilities and align myself with the company. The answer is never no; you try to find a way to get it done. When I came in-house, I was asked to be a deal person. That fits my personality very well. I'm good at coming up with solutions and getting people to where they need to go."

On being a woman in the industry: "You'd have to be a liar to say being a woman has never affected you. But it was much more difficult to go into a law firm (in the mid-1970s) than to be a woman at Toyota. We have very enlightened people in management."

Career highlights:

Other positions at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.:

• 1996-98 VP and Assistant General Counsel
• 1992-96 Assistant General Counsel
• 1990-92 Senior Managing Counsel
• 1987-90 Managing Counsel
• 1976-85 Associate Counsel, O'Melveny & Myers, Los Angeles