CENTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE DIVERSITY - Key Persons
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- Diversity Ambassador / Robert Bosch Corp.
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- Director Advanced Transportation MTRAC Innovation Hub & Office of Tech Transfer DEI LeadUniversity of Michigan
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- Product Management Consultant
Ashley Fernandez is a CADIA Accelerator faculty member, focusing on the talent management systems curriculum. She believes that individuals and organizations can evolve to fully embrace DEI to transform the way individuals and teams work into a place where everyone feels they can thrive, belong, and succeed.
Ashley's background includes extensive work at KPMG in DEI and people strategy, as well as leadership coaching through her own company, Ashley Marie Coaching, LLC, providing high-level strategy, career planning, and leadership development to assist the organization in creating cohesive Talent and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategies that attract, retain and advance their people.
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- Group Chief Engineer / Harley - Davidson
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- VP Human Resources Operations
Cheryl Thompson is the founder and CEO of the Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement. CADIA was launched in 2017 with the idea that diverse talent had long been overlooked and undervalued in the automotive industry. A member-based organization, CADIA provides Diversity, Equity & Inclusion tools, networks, insights, and practical advice to companies in the auto-mobility space.
A veteran of the automotive industry, Cheryl has over 30 years of experience at Ford Motor Company and American Axle and Manufacturing in positions ranging from tool and die, operations, manufacturing engineering and global leadership.
She is a Certified Diversity Professional through the National Diversity Council, a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and is trained in Leadership Coaching. She received her undergraduate degree in Manufacturing at Siena Heights University, and her MBA from Michigan State University.
Cheryl has been recognized as a 2022 Automotive News All Star, 2019 Influential Women in Manufacturing Honoree, a 2019 Corp Magazine Salute to Diversity award winner, Marketing and Sales Executives of Detroit Platinum Award, and is the recipient of two Diversity and Inclusion Awards from Ford Motor Company.
A sought-after voice and speaker in the automotive, manufacturing and aerospace & defense industries, Cheryl has performed keynote addresses, workshops, and breakout sessions for many member companies and events, including Women in Automotive, Automotive News Leading Women Conference, Beyond the Wrench, TEDx Windsor, Women in Manufacturing (WiM), the American Automotive Summit, Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and CADIA's annual Rev Up 2030 event.
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- Account Manager GM Customer Business Unit / Faurecia
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- Director of Sales / Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center
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- Vice President of Business Development
- VP of Business Development
Jennifer Harding joined CADIA as VP of Business Development in 2019. Jennifer oversees the sales activities of the organization and focuses on corporate and individual memberships for CADIA. Client satisfaction, relationship building, and developing strong, mutually beneficial partnerships for CADIA are at the forefront of her responsibilities.
​She has over 25 years of business development experience in both high-tech and low-tech industries including CAD/CAM/CAE consulting services, banking, and small business relationship management.
Job Titles:
- Certified Wellness Coach
- Workshop Leader
- Workshop Leader and Facilitator
Kayce Shepard is a CADIA Workshop leader and facilitator, bringing more than 25 years of experience as a liaison for marginalized communities and the corporate world, having served in various roles in governmental and nonprofit sectors.
In 2011 Kayce founded Naci Mai, which provides training and mentorship for families and single mothers. She has seen the impact mentorship and personal development can have on families and believes the same support and resources can help transform the Automotive Industry. The gap in advancement has many layers, one of them being a personal responsibility for each individual to develop the skill set that will enable them to move beyond average and become extraordinary. CADIA Academy is a great resource for members to gain new insight and skills sets for their own personal growth, which translates into team growth. A win for everyone. Kayce works with CADIA members to enable them to take advantage of the services and offerings that membership provides.
Kayce is a certified Wellness Coach with years of experience encouraging (and pushing) individuals beyond their comfort zones and into a more holistic and balanced life.
Job Titles:
- Facilitator and Workshop Leader
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- Regional Consultant for Toyota D I / Toyota
Lisa D'Amore joined CADIA as VP, DEI in May 2023. In this role Lisa designs and delivers DEI diagnostics and solutions to clients, including consulting, workshops, and facilitation of events. She will support the CADIA team through content development, material creation, and advising the CEO on growth and development of DEI strategy.
D'Amore brings more than 30 years of experience in engineering roles, including manufacturing, quality, and systems, with a focus on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. She has been trained as a team facilitator, is a Six Sigma Black Belt, and is a skilled moderator.
Prior to joining CADIA, D'Amore was employed at AM General where she served on the DEI Council. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Miami University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. She received CADIA's DEI Certification in 2022.
Margaret Baxter is the Executive Director for the Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement (CADIA). She runs CADIA's day-to-day operations and helps develop tools, offerings and resources to accelerate the pace of diversity, equity and inclusion in the automotive industry.
She is trained in diversity and inclusion, has conducted trainings and workshops, is an experienced moderator and has spoken at numerous industry events. Having worked in the automotive, legal, government and nonprofit worlds in many different capacities, Margaret brings a dynamic background to CADIA.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Database and Member Services
Michelle is the Manager, Database and Member Services for CADIA. She works on day-to-day operations and implementing processes and procedures to help grow the organization and assist members and guests with their CADIA experience.
Michelle joined CADIA in May 2021 and brings 20 plus years of experience in the automotive and association industries. Just prior to joining CADIA, Michelle was a Marketing Coordinator at Lansing Community College and worked extensively with the college's Diversity and Inclusion department on programs and events promoting DEI within the college and greater Lansing community.
Job Titles:
- Architect
- Accelerator Program Architect, Facilitator and DEI Consultant
Paige Robnett is the main architect behind CADIA's Accelerator Program, and is a facilitator and DEI consultant for CADIA. She believes that intentional and well-designed organization systems & structures drive innovation and disrupt the status quo. She is a dynamic leader, facilitator, and strategist with a deep passion and understanding of DEI.
Paige's DEI background includes work at Brevity & Wit, Rock Ventures, and Cook Ross. She is the founder and principal at Robnett Consulting Group. Services include DEI Consulting, Strategic Planning, Organization Needs Assessments, Training Design & Facilitation, Operations Support & Strategic Communications Support.