2000 AUTOMOTIVE NEWS 100 LEADING WOMEN AWARDS

Education: B.A., Michigan State University; M.B.A., Michigan State University

First automotive job: Buying carpets and NVH products, Ford Motor Co.

Proudest achievement: "Being able to enable the organization to deliver over a 90 percent improvement in year-to-year performance and building strong, dynamic teams that excel."

On being successful: "Success takes a lot of work, a willingness to change, a positive attitude that believes all things are possible, an investment in continual personal development and a realization that success is a function of how well we enable and influence others to achieve great things. It demands personal courage to drive toward the vision and a willingness to look outside ourselves, our company and industry to gain insights, best practice and new approaches."

On being a woman in the industry: "This is a great time in the automotive industry for women and especially at Ford because it really values all forms of diversity. With the trend toward the 'Idea' Generation, value is in the capacity of thought and ideas and contribution; building strong relationships and networks to drive the enterprise forward. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from some great leaders, mentors and colleagues."

Career highlights:

Other positions with Ford include:

• 1998 Director, Vehicle Procurement Operations, Europe, Purchasing
• 1997-98 Director, Commodity Management, Europe, Purchasing
• 1996-97 Director, Commercial Truck, VC5, Purchasing
• 1994-96 Director, Procurement Operations, Production, Purchasing