Vehicle Supplier Community Celebrates 36 Women on Automotive News Prestigious List

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), which represents automotive and commercial vehicle suppliers, recognizes all of the honorees named by Automotive News to the 2020 list of 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. MEMA and its member base are particularly proud of the 36 women on this prestigious list from the vehicle supplier industry, the largest manufacturing sector in the United States. Of that number, 27 women are employed by MEMA or one of its 1,000 member companies.

“This list from Automotive News shows that the vehicle supplier community fosters diverse and remarkable leadership,” said MEMA President and CEO Bill Long. “Within this impressive list, we found it fitting that more than a third of the honorees are from the vehicle supplier industry. This demonstrates our important role within the larger automotive community. MEMA recognizes and congratulates all of the women for their contributions to society and the global automotive industry.”

For the fifth time since 2000, Automotive News has honored 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. This year’s list includes the following 27 individuals with direct ties to MEMA: Aruna Anand, Head of Continental Engineering Services, North America, Continental; Elena Antaya, Vice President of Corporate Purchasing, Toyoda Gosei North America; Jessica Berry, Vice President, Toyota and Hyundai-Kia, Adient; Mary Buchzeiger, CEO, Lucerne International; Kelly Bysouth, Chief Supply Chain Officer, International Automotive Components Group; Tonit Calaway, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, BorgWarner; Denise Carlson, Vice President of North American Production Innovation Center and Executive Lead of Diversity and Inclusion, Denso International America; Suzana Cizmic, Vice President, Commercial Plant Manager, Robert Bosch LLC; Francoise Colpron, Group President, Valeo North America; Aine Denari, Senior Vice President, Advanced Driver Assist Systems, Electronics and Advanced Driver Assist Systems Division, ZF Group; Julie Fream, CEO, Original Equipment Suppliers Association; Denise Gray, President, LG Chem Michigan; Zobeida Gutierrez, Group Quality Director, North America, Valeo; Linda Hasenfratz, CEO, Linamar Corp.; Megan Hunter, Executive Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain Operations, Martinrea International; Stephanie Jett, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Autoliv; Heather Klish, Vice President, Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement and Integration, BorgWarner; Rebecca Liebert, Executive Vice President, PPG Industries; Celina Mikolajczak, Vice President, Battery Technology, Panasonic Energy of North America; Vickie Piner, Global Vice President of Quality, E-Systems, Lear Corp.; Sandy Stojkovski, CEO, Vitesco Technologies North America; Max Straub, President, Global Business Services, Robert Bosch LLC; Christina Tsai, Vice President and General Manager, Global Sealing, Tenneco; Elizabeth Umberson, Vice President, Head of Materials Management, ZF North America; Lisa Viazanko, Vice President, Engineering, Faurecia; Jennifer Wahnschaff, Senior Vice President and Head of Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems, Continental; and Faith Wandrie, Vice President Global Supply Chain, American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

An additional nine women from the vehicle supplier industry include: Flavia De Veny, CEO, Camaco-Amvian; Jennifer Johnson, CEO, Kendrick Plastics; Lynn Longo, Senior Vice President, Digital Cockpit, Harman Automotive; Lisa Lunsford, CEO, GS3 Global; Kimberly Rodriguez, CEO, Dura Automotive Systems; Rosa Santana, CEO, Forma Automotive; Anuja Sonalker, CEO, STEER Tech; Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli, Director of Partner Product and Programs, Aurora Innovation; and Jamie Zinser, Chief Technology Officer, Global Automotive Systems.
“Congratulations to these 36 executives and professionals and to all of the women on this year’s list,” Long said. “We look forward to seeing the results of your leadership in 2021 and beyond.”

About MEMA

Since 1904, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association has been the voice of the automotive and commercial vehicle supplier industry, the largest manufacturing sector in the United States. Across the entire range of new vehicle innovation—from autonomous to zero net carbon technologies—vehicle suppliers are leading the way. Our member companies conceive, design and manufacture the original equipment systems and technologies that make up two-thirds of the value in every vehicle. Member companies also supply the aftermarket with the parts that keep millions of vehicles on the road, fueling international commerce and society’s need for transportation. And all of our members’ work is done with a focus on public safety and the environment.

We live in a fast-paced industry and world, and MEMA is committed to making both a better place to work and live. We foster a respectful, diverse, and collaborative community. We are stronger together because we promote inclusion in all aspects of the vehicle supplier industry. All member companies are invited to join us by embracing and honoring this commitment.

MEMA is the parent organization of four affiliate associations: Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), MERA – The Association for Sustainable Manufacturing, and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). MEMA has offices in Southfield, Mich., Research Triangle Park, N.C. and Washington, D.C. Learn more about our organization, our members and the great vehicle supplier community at MEMA.org.