2010 Automotive News 100 Leading Women

Why did you want to work in the auto industry? Growing up in the Detroit area, there’s just an excitement about the auto industry. My dad was in the sales side of the business. An uncle was involved in selling cars as well. My aunt and uncle worked at Ford as engineers. So I think there was just a natural attraction. I mean, this is really the buzz of what happens in this city.When I was going to school as an engineer, I was lucky to have two summer jobs working for Chrysler. I actually did a stint at Chrysler Defense as well, and that gave me a real clear idea that I liked the automotive side better. It’s just the idea that you could apply what you’re doing in engineering into some exciting product that you see and touch and feel and drive. It’s exciting.