Automotive News Europe - October 2016 - Leading Women - 31

Katherine Worthen Vice president purchasing and supply chain Europe | Opel Group | Ruesselsheim, Germany | 42 to be a pace car driver or truck driver. ❚ EDUCATION: If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? William C. Durant. I think it would be very interesting to discuss his vision and what the automotive industry looked like when he co-founded GM in comparison to what we are seeing now. We will experience more change now than we have seen in more than 50 years. Master's degree in business administration, Walsh University, North Canton, Ohio, USA; bachelor's degree in business administration, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA ❚ FAMILY: Husband, Stephan; daughters, Addison, 15, Emma, 13, Ava, 7 Name one talent you wish you had. Greater proficiency in foreign languages. ❚ BORN: Flint, Michigan, USA What attracted you to the automotive industry? My passion for the automotive industry started from a young age because I am the daughter of a retired General Motors manager. I was exposed to a lot of the fascinating aspects of the automotive industry at a young age. First automotive job: I started with EDS (Electronic Data Systems), working for Chevrolet Motor Division. I was the liaison with the dealerships on warranty and quality issues within the vehicle. What was your big break? While I can't single out one big break, a key attribute to my success has been the incredible leaders I have had while working at GM. They have allowed me to take risks, supported me when I have made tough decisions and held me accountable to run the business. What major challenge have you faced in your career? The biggest challenge was the global financial crisis that im- 2016 Exclusive Sponsor: ❚ NATIONALITY: USA ❚ LANGUAGES: English pacted the automotive industry from 2008 to 2010. Managing the purchasing and supply chain of chassis components through this time period provided challenges that put GM production at risk on a daily basis. Who has had the biggest influence on your career? I met a key person about 15 years ago who has been instrumental in my life both personally and professionally. She is a professional within the industry who has provided me guidance and advice through various tough challenges. What should be done to encourage women to enter the auto industry? Continuing the efforts of mentorship and being actively engaged in organizations and schools with young females is important. Providing young women the visibility into the automotive industry at a young age can instill drive and passion for the industry that will enable more females to make the choice to enter our field professionally. Having spent years as a Girl Scout troop leader, I have witnessed how career dreams start early. What keeps you awake at night? Risk in the supply chain keeps me up at night. That includes everything from natural disasters to equipment failures to capacity constraints. When you manage more than 50,000 contracts and 910 suppliers that are moving parts around the globe every day, the opportunity for disruption is huge. Name one thing about yourself that most people don't know? A lot of people know I like to drive, but growing up I loved it so much that my passion was Best advice you've ever received. Take on challenging assignments, especially the assignments people don't want. Work with integrity and passion and make every new assignment successfully your own. Don't ever become complacent. What advice would you give your child? Go after your dreams with passion. You will stumble along the way, but do not quit, learn and grow from your experiences. It is with the growth and knowledge of these experiences, both good and bad, that success and accomplishment is achieved. If you were a car, what car would you be? From our current portfolio, I would be a 2016 Astra Sports Tourer. The 2016 European Car of the Year represents connectivity, functionality, efficiency, reliability and design. In my life, I strive for connectivity, efficiency and reliability both personally and professionally. ANE www.autonewseurope.com 31 http://www.autonewseurope.com

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