Automotive News - November 9, 2015 - Supplement - 97W

20151109-Sup1--0097-NAT-CCI-AN_--

11/2/2015

12:55 PM

Page 1

NOVEMBER 9, 2015 * 97W

L E A D I N G

W O M E N

KATHY WINTER

●●●
●

● What should be done to encourage women to
Vice President of Software & Services,
enter the auto industry? I think that how fast-paced
Automated Driving | Delphi Automotive |
the auto industry has become in the last five years is
Palatine, Ill. | Age: 52 | Education: B.S.,
helping. We at Delphi just did a cross-country drive in
industrial engineering, University of Illinois;
an automated vehicle, and when we went to college
MBA, University of Chicago
campuses, guys and girls alike had heard about it.
Companies like us and Tesla and Google are creating
● What attracted you to the auto industry? I had
a completely different view of the auto industry that's
been at Motorola for 26 years and had worked in four
making the work more attractive to younger
divisions within the company when I came to Delphi in
generations. Being active on university campuses, and
2011. Delphi happened to be looking to increase its
having high-profile events beyond just car shows, will
focus in advanced engineering around the connectivity
attract more women to the industry because it's more
of the car. It seemed like a natural next step in my
about high tech and not quite as traditional as it
career and a great opportunity to help our division
looked 10 years ago.
speed the rate of innovation in automotive to match
● Tell us about your family. I have four
that of consumer electronics, where
boys. They're 17, 19, 21 and 23. Three of
I had been for a long time.
them are in engineering, and one of them is
● First automotive job: In 2001, I
"Companies like in high school, so he hasn't decided what
became senior director of software
he's doing yet. All of them are drivers,
us and Tesla
development in Motorola's
though I'm not sure how good they are.
automotive division. My team
and Google are
I work in active safety, and that's especially
worked on the telematics hardware
near and dear to my heart because I have
creating a
and software solutions for stuff like
teenage boys, and I have aging parents.
GM's OnStar and BMW Assist.
completely
● What's your favorite weekend activity?
● Big break: In 2002, I was named
different view of
Golf. My sons all golf. My husband golfs.
VP and general manager of the
the auto industry I've learned to golf so I don't get left out.
Americas and Asia telematics group
Now I'm good enough that I can keep up.
at Motorola. It was the first time
that's
making
And I also like to run.
they had a software person move
● Are you able to maintain friendships?
the work more
into a general manager role as
opposed to someone out of
I try even harder to stay connected to my
attractive to
hardware engineering. There was
friends because it's important to have a
younger
growing recognition that the
good balance. I spend a lot of time walking
software content in all products,
and running and golfing with my girlfriends,
generations."
whether consumer electronics or
in addition to my sons.
automotive, was a bigger piece of
● Name one thing about yourself that most
the puzzle.
people don't know. I swam distance freestyle and
● What is the major challenge you've faced in your
breaststroke at NCAAs my freshman year at the
career? Keeping up with the rapid pace of technology
University of Illinois. I had been swimming since I was
coming into cars these days.
7. But balancing that with social life - because I'd
joined a sorority - and with engineering being so
● Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
time-consuming, I gave it up.
My father. He's 79, and he's a techno genius. He
worked as an engineer until he was 70, and he's still
● When and where was your last vacation? This year,
three steps ahead of everyone when it comes to
I did spring break in Mexico with friends, but my
laptops and phones.
favorite annual vacation is skiing in January in Winter
Park, Colo., with extended family. We've done that
He encouraged me to go into engineering when I
every year since I got married in the '80s.
wasn't sure what I was going to do with my career. At
the time, the field was probably one woman out of
● Name one talent you wish you had. I wish I was a
100 people, but he said: "You'll like this. This is
little bit more artistic. I tend to be so math-focused,
where the future is going. Be confident."
such an engineer. There are people who are outsidethe-box creative, and I wish I could do that. And I have
When I was in high school, they told me: "You're good
a huge appreciation for people who can do both: be an
at math. You should be a math teacher." That's a
engineer and be creative.
great career and all, but my father encouraged me to
- Gabe Nelson
go into the high-tech space, and I've found it really
exciting.

BARBARA MOUSIGIAN

●

Vice President of Product | Cars.com | Chicago | Age: 53 |
Education: B.A., liberal arts, Princeton University; MBA, University of
Chicago
● What attracted you to the auto industry? The auto industry was familiar to
me. I felt the time was right for the next wave of change.
● First automotive job: Started at Cars.com in April 2013
● Big break: Making the move into digital media early in my career. And
Cars.com gave me the kind of opportunity that doesn't come up every day.
● What is the major challenge you've faced in your career? How as a
corporation we have adapted to changing consumer behavior. It's not just about
strategy. It's about how we get things done and how we motivate for change.
● Who has had the biggest influence on your career? My parents have always
shown me how to achieve as did an aunt who was a breadwinner.
● What should be done to encourage women to enter the auto industry?
More mentoring of women. It's something I wish I had had more of personally in
my career. In my area, I've wanted to get more women in product leadership.
● Tell us about your family. I grew up in New York as an only child. I have
moved my dad to Chicago. I have two crazy cats.
● What's your favorite weekend activity? In the summer, it's gardening. Other
times, it's doing art or enjoying Chicago's wonderful art and theater scene.
● What's your guilty pleasure? I love to cook. Lately, I've gotten into baking.
- David Barkholz

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Automotive News - November 9, 2015 - Supplement

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