Kettering Built leaders are recognized for their innovation, impact, and influence in shaping the future of mobility.
Eight trailblazing ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ alumnae have earned a spot on Automotive News’ 2025 list of the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. Representing global companies like General Motors, 3M, Toyota, Novelis, and Sion Power, these women are driving innovation, leading teams, and redefining what leadership looks like in the future of mobility.
Each of these accomplished professionals started with the same foundation: a Kettering education rooted in real work, high standards, and relentless drive. From executive roles in engineering to battery innovation, manufacturing, sustainability, and connectivity, these women exemplify the results of Kettering’s rigorous academic and paid professional Co-op model: They’re decisive, future-focused, and in positions of influence in the North American Auto Industry.
Meet the Honorees
Mary Barra ’85, Chair and CEO, General Motors
Marking 20 years on the Automotive News Leading Women list, Barra continues to guide GM through one of the most ambitious industry evolutions in history. The first woman to lead a major global automaker, she has overseen GM’s pivot to electric and autonomous vehicles while championing agility, innovation, and a culture of rapid problem-solving. Her leadership is about more than business — it’s about inspiring a generation of future engineers and decision-makers.
Wendy Bauer ’98, Group President, Transportation & Electronics, 3M With a career spanning GM, Eaton, Denso, AWS, and now 3M, Bauer understands the complexity and pace of the auto industry better than most. At 3M, she leads global teams in delivering next-gen materials and solutions for transportation and aerospace. Her experience bridging legacy systems with cutting-edge tech makes her a vital force at the intersection of digital and physical innovation.
Erin Buchanan M’00, General Manager, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Buchanan began her career as one of six employees launching a supplier factory from the ground up. Today, she leads a three-plant operation responsible for Lexus and Toyota production, where she oversaw the first global dual-brand line transition — completed remotely during the pandemic. Known for her empathetic and empowering leadership style, she builds cultures that welcome innovation, inclusion, and risk-taking.
Mandi Damman ’07, Executive Chief Engineer, Autonomous and Electric Vehicles, General Motors From Co-op student to executive chief engineer, Damman has spent two decades advancing EV and AV technology at GM. Her work on the Cadillac Escalade IQ, a program she likens to a third child, showcases her passion for innovation and attention to technical excellence. A mentor, mother, and relentless problem-solver, she founded GM’s Empower Hour to create community and opportunity for women across the company.
Pamela Fletcher ’89, CEO, Sion Power Fletcher was 17 when she walked onto the factory floor with a stopwatch and never looked back. As a pioneer in electric propulsion, she led the Chevy Volt program and helped bring the Bolt EV to life. Now CEO of a next-gen battery firm, she’s focused on embedding AI and material science innovation into energy solutions. Fletcher leads with confidence, curiosity, and a belief in giving people room to exceed expectations.
Doneen McDowell M’02, Vice President, Manufacturing – Full-Size Trucks, General Motors McDowell has built a career across nine GM plants in stamping, assembly, supply chain, and labor relations. She led GM’s ventilator partnership during the pandemic and oversaw the launch of the Escalade IQ, applying her philosophy of inclusive, servant leadership. A former college athlete, she views manufacturing as a team sport and is committed to developing diverse talent and high-performing cultures across GM’s operations.
Kristin Toth M’02, Executive Director, Electrical Systems, Software and Connectivity, General Motors Toth’s career spans nearly three decades of GM’s technology evolution. From early purchasing roles to leading the semiconductor response during a global supply chain crisis, her leadership is collaborative, focused, and future-facing. Now at the helm of GM’s vehicle intelligence systems, she guides the company’s transformation into a tech-first mobility leader, driven by data, connected systems, and autonomous capability.
Jamie Zinser ’99, Vice President, Automotive, North America, Novelis An engineer by training and a sustainability advocate by mission, Zinser leads Novelis’ North American automotive business. Her team is pioneering high-recycled-content aluminum and sustainable manufacturing practices. A champion for women in STEM, she mentors young professionals through programs like Women of Tomorrow and balances high-level strategy with hands-on leadership and the occasional waffle breakfast with her four kids.
Built at Kettering. Leading the Future.
These eight alumnae are not exceptions. They are examples. ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ’s Co-op model and rigorous academics prepare students not just to enter the workforce but also to lead it. These women prove what’s possible when ambition meets the right foundation. Their recognition is a testament to what Kettering students achieve when they’re challenged to push harder, aim higher, and innovate further. Because while others wait for change, Kettering leaders engineer it.
