Ingrid Skogsmo, 38
Manager, Global Environmental and Safety Planning, Ford Motor Co.
Education: M.S., Chalmers University of Technology, Goteborg, Sweden
First automotive job: Intern Trainee, Volvo Car Corp., 1985
Proudest achievement: "Development of Volvo Car Corp.'s safety strategy and its implementation in a great set of leading products, such as the Volvo S80."
On being successful: "The Swedish ground rule is 'don't let success get to your head' - nevertheless, I feel very lucky and happy for getting the opportunity to work on challenging tasks in the auto industry, which is one of the most competitive and exciting."
On being a woman in the industry: "It's like being a decathlete trying to compete in the Olympic sprinter events. You try to be as good as possible in a number of disciplines; in other events, you have to focus more on the sprinting (work), but you still are very stimulated by it and happy to be in this very challenging environment (the auto industry). And the biggest hurdle may be your own expectations of yourself."
Career highlights:
Positions at Volvo Car Corp. include:
- 1999-2000 Manager, Safety Strategy Development
- 1997-98 Manager, Technical Development of Automotive Safety (also held this position 1991-96)
- 1996-97 Resident Engineer, Volvo Cars of North A
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