Women Executives Shaping the Global Automotive Industry Through Electric Vehicles, Autonomous Driving, Manufacturing, Sales, Mobility, and Workforce Leadership
The global auto industry is changing fast. Modern cars are becoming more electric, Software is playing a bigger role, and Self-driving technology is moving closer to everyday use. Carmakers are also trying to deal with higher costs, new rivals, and changing customer needs.
Women are gradually becoming an important part of this change. They now lead car brands, technology companies, auto suppliers, and large workforces. Their roles are different, yet their work is linked to some of the biggest changes taking place in the industry.
From electric vehicles to autonomous cars, women executives are helping shape what comes next. Their careers also show that leadership in the auto industry is no longer limited to factories, engines, and sales.
Women Making Their Mark Across the Auto Industry
The modern automotive sector is complicated, and building a car is only a minor part of the whole industry. Companies also need strong technology, supply chains, sales teams, skilled workers, and new ideas. Here are the top women executives making their mark in the sector:
Linda Jackson
Linda Jackson’s career is mostly built around Stellantis. This brand helped her become a renowned name in the European auto industry. Later, she served as CEO of Citroën and led Peugeot. While she was at Peugeot, Jackson helped the brand update its product range and prepare for the move toward electric vehicles. Stellantis acknowledges that she played an important role in the brand’s growth and its move toward an all-electric line-up.
Karin Rådström
Karin Rådström is the President and CEO of Daimler Truck. She took over the top role in October 2024 after leading Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
Rådström has also spoken about the need for better charging networks for electric trucks. Her work highlights a key point about cleaner transport. Building electric vehicles is only one part of the change. The right charging network is also needed.
Daniela Cavallo
Daniela Cavallo’s contribution to the automotive industry is mostly centered around workers. She is Chairwoman of Volkswagen’s General and Group Works Councils. Cavallo has worked on employee issues, factory plans, and changes within Volkswagen. She became Chairwoman of the Volkswagen Group Works Council in 2021.
Her role has become especially important as Volkswagen and other carmakers adjust their factories for electric vehicles and new technology. The move to electric cars impacts not only the vehicles; it also changes the skills workers need and how factories operate.
Tekedra N. Mawakana
Tekedra N. Mawakana is another renowned name in the automotive sector. She is the co-CEO of Waymo, which is Alphabet’s self-driving technology company. To match the trend of EVs and automated cars, the company is now experimenting with driverless cars.
The aim is to make self-driving technology available to more cities. In February 2026, the company announced a USD 16 billion funding round and revealed plans to expand into markets like Tokyo and Singapore.
Britta Seeger
Britta Seeger took care of multiple important roles at Mercedes-Benz. She joined the company in 2017 and has since been handling marketing and sales. After eight years of service, she was promoted to Board Member for Human Relations and Labor Director.
Interestingly, her career ranges from sales and customer experience to digital sales and people management. These areas are becoming more important as car-buying trends change, and automakers look for workers with new skills.
Women Helping Shape the Cars of Tomorrow
The careers of these women show how broad automotive leadership has become. Their roles are different, yet each one connects with a major part of the industry’s future.
The auto industry will need cleaner vehicles, better technology, stronger supply chains, and new skills. It will also need leaders who can manage change while keeping customers and workers in mind.
Notably, women are gradually becoming an important part of this change. They are now leading brands, managing large workforces, handling supply chains, and planning the process for smoother development and launch. Their roles are different, but their contributions are mostly related to some of the biggest changes taking place in the industry.
Whether it is electric vehicles or autonomous cars, women are effectively shaping what’s coming next. Their careers also show that leadership in the auto industry is no longer limited to factories, engines, and sales.
The Road Ahead is Still Difficult
If you look at the industry, you will notice that women have been achieving tremendously in the last few decades. However, no matter whether they have become CEOs, COOs, or CTOs, the gender gap remains prominent. Women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions and still face barriers in their careers.
The rapid changes in the automotive industry over the last few years have created significant pressure. Companies are now investing millions in electric vehicles, batteries, software, and self-driving technology. At the same time, they still need to run their existing businesses.
However, the shift has another side to consider as well. Electric vehicles require a different set of skills than traditional vehicles. As a result, companies now expect people with knowledge of software, batteries, electronics, and data.
The truck industry faces its own challenge. Electric trucks can help cut emissions, but charging networks must grow at the same time. Different types of heavy vehicles may also need different power options.
Women executives are therefore leading through a period of major change. They are managing people, products, technology, and business goals at the same time. More opportunities for women in engineering, manufacturing, technology, sales, and management can help close the gap. Mentoring and better career support can also make it easier for women to move into senior positions.
