On Dec. 5, 2022, CADIA's Founder and CEO, Cheryl Thompson was awarded the Automotive News All Stars Award. This prestigious award is given annually to auto industry change makers. Cheryl was recognized in the category of DEI, along with such industry notables as Elon Musk, Bob Young and Carlos Tavares.  See related story.

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The CADIA Impact Award recognize companies and individuals who have made a measurable impact on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within the automotive industry. 

 

CADIA received dozens of nominations for awards in four Impact Award categories. The winners in these four categories were selected by a panel of judges.

 

Champion for Diverse Talent 

·       Individual Winner: Mae Smitherman-Smith, Controller, Global Manufacturing, MP&L, and Warranty, Ford Motor Company

·       Team/Company Winner: Lear

 

Creating Inclusive Cultures 

·       Individual Winner: Victoria White, HR Business Partner, DENSO

·       Team/Company Winner: Vitesco Technologies

 

Leadership Commitment 

·       Individual Winner: Chad Morley, SVP, Automotive & Transportation, Jabil

·       Team/Company Winner: Bosch North America

 

Systemic Change 

·       Individual Winner: Andreas Douglas, Director of Engineering, Bosch North America

·       Team/Company Winner: Nissan Americas

 

Additionally, CADIA presented its Power of One award to one of CADIA’s earliest supporters, Ashwini Balasubramian, Group Chief Engineer, Harley-Davidson. This award was selected by CADIA staff to recognize an individual or company that exhibited particularly outstanding leadership in DEI.

 

Read more about the winners.

 

The 2023 Impact Award nominations will open in mid-August. Stay tuned for announcements.

 

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Allow CADIA to energize your International Women's Day conversation by bringing in outside perspectives, thought leadership and insights based on our research, industry benchmarks and best practices.

"Embrace Equity" is the theme for the 2023 International Women’s Day taking place on March 8. Let CADIA help you create the conversation around equity that will inspire your teams and foster growth and understanding.  

 

Equality says, “Everyone is treated the same here.” 
Equity asks, “what policies, systems, and practices must be addressed or dismantled in order for everyone to be treated fairly?”

 

CADIA’s team of DEI professionals bring the conversation alive at your company event. Whether you need a moderator, panelist, keynote speaker or facilitator, CADIA can work with you to help communicate, educate, and inspire.

 

For more information, contact Jennifer Harding.
 

As members, companies have access to the CADIA DEI Roundtable Series, workshops, CADIA certifications and more. Individuals have access to CADIA Academy and become part of the CADIA community. We look forward to working with new and renewing members on their DEI journey and learning together to make strides in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

Welcome new and renewing individual members:

• Patsy Parrish
• Brenda Armour
• Damaris Casado
• Heather MacKenzie
• Kathleen Doyle-Gibson

 

To learn more about the CADIA Accelerator
DEI Certification Program for ​Automotive Industry Professionals, join the Zoom informational meeting on Jan. 9 from noon - 12:45 pm ET. 

 

Kicking off a new cohort on January 27, this 13-week DEI Certification program offers a structured opportunity for automotive industry professionals to learn DEI best practices, solve complex organizational challenges and build a DEI professional network. 

 

This course is aimed at DEI professionals, DEI champions, ERG leaders and participants, and anyone who wants to better understand DEI at a personal, professional and systems level.

 

The first three cohorts sold out so reserve your place for the Winter/Spring 2023 cohort today.

 

REGISTER FOR JAN. 9 INFO SESSION>>

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“I learned so much more than expected. This cohort was so well planned and really built on the knowledge each week. It was amazing to be a part of this experience. I will treasure the connections I've made and of course, will use the many resources provided to make a difference at my company. Thank you.”

 

-- Fall 2022 Cohort Participant

Join CADIA to welcome Mae Smitherman-Smith, Global Material Cost and Warranty Controller, Ford Motor Company. She will discuss the importance of professional financial literacy for growth and promotion in the automotive industry. 

 

Smitherman-Smith is a recipient of the 2022 CADIA Impact awards for her work to improve diversity recruiting and equitable advancement within the Ford Finance organization. She will join Cheryl Thompson, Founder and CEO, CADIA who will host this important conversation.

 

CADIA Connects is a no-cost offering from the Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement. This hour-long Zoom meeting is an avenue for professionals to stay connected and find common ground.

Register

For more than seven decades, SWE has given women engineers a unique place and voice within the engineering industry. The organization is centered around a passion for members’ success and continues to evolve with the challenges and opportunities reflected in today’s exciting engineering and technology specialties.

 

CADIA's Cheryl Thompson will keynote at the WE Local Detroit Conference Feb. 17-18, 2023.  Her talk is entitled "When Opportunity Knocks:  Should You Answer the Door?"

 

To learn more about SWE visit the About SWE mobile course. The course will provide an in-depth description of SWE’s mission, vision, and strategic goals and provide an overview of SWE’s key programs and member benefits.

 

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Did you know? CADIA offers different levels of corporate membership.  Check out Benefits of Membership.

For more information or to schedule a call about membership, contact Jennifer Harding.