• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

3

Ex-Google engineer says Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Sundar Pichai share the same trait—it's the lesson he swears by as a $7.2 billion AI CEO

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

3

Ex-Google engineer says Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Sundar Pichai share the same trait—it's the lesson he swears by as a $7.2 billion AI CEO
MPWAutos

Meet The Women Behind The Cars of The New York Auto Show

By
Jaclyn Trop
Jaclyn Trop
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jaclyn Trop
Jaclyn Trop
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 28, 2016, 7:35 AM ET
Justin Scheller © Honda R&D Americas, Inc
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Walking onto the floor of the New York International Auto Show, gearheads will no doubt be dazzled by the rows and rows of glossy cars, trucks, and SUVs. But for those keeping close tabs on trends in the auto industry, the more dazzling thing may be how many of those vehicles were designed or engineered by women.

While there’s no doubt that the automotive industry is still dominated by men, women are beginning to make important inroads. The most obvious example, of course, is Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, the largest automaker in the U.S. However, there is also a small but growing cohort of women who are starting to make their mark in car design and engineering.

While the industry doesn’t track women by specific role, we do know that women hold 27% of entry-level automotive roles and 18% of mid-leadership positions, according to Michigan-based women’s networking group Inforum. What’s more, those numbers are expected to grow in coming years.

Meet four of the women behind the vehicles on display this weekend.

Michelle Christensen, Acura NSX exterior design lead
Justin Scheller — Honda R&D Americas, Inc

Michelle Christensen, Acura NSX exterior design lead

How she got there: Christensen is the first woman to lead design on a supercar—the industry term for extra powerful, extra expensive sports cars. She directed the eight-person team responsible for Acura’s resurrection of the NSX, Jerry Seinfeld’s favorite supercar, which ended production in 2005. “They wanted an emotional, 3-D kind of feeling,” Christensen says. “My priority was to keep that.” Prior to designing the NSX, she worked on Acura’s RLX sedan and its now-discontinued ZDX crossover. She grew up working on muscle cars with her father in their San Jose, Calif. garage and got her design chops at Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design.

Why cars: “When I first decided to pursue car design, I was simply following something I was passionate about. It wasn’t until I got to know more about the industry that I realized there was a need for more female perspective and hence, a big opportunity.”

My experience as a woman: “I’m asked this question a lot, and it’s hard to answer because I never know what to say. I’m just focused on designing the best possible car.”

What’s special about the Acura NSX: “Every part of the car, from the taillights to the floating C-pillars, is designed to fade into the background so that it just feels like you and the road. We spent a lot of time designing the air intakes and testing the car’s aerodynamics at our company’s wind tunnel in Ohio.”

Bridget Hamblin, Honda engineer Courtesy of Honda

Bridget Hamblin, Honda Civic engineer

How she got there: Hamblin led the dynamics team responsible for the performance of the 2016 Honda Civic, the brand’s most important car and winner of the prestigious North American Car of the Year award this year. Hamblin earned degrees in mechanical engineering at Penn State and the University of Dayton before joining Honda as an engineer working on vehicle suspension and steering in the research and development department. “Rather than having sought out the automotive industry, it found me,” Hamblin says. “My education in mechanical engineering proved to be a perfect fit in vehicle development.” Before joining the Civic project, Hamblin helped develop the Odyssey minivan.

Why cars: “If someone had asked me growing up where I envisioned my future self, I never would have thought it would be in automotive development. Yet, it’s offered me the ability to apply my interest in engineering to products that bring joy to a lot of people, new and interesting challenges, the opportunity to work with a talented global team, and of course, lots of drive time in awesome cars.”

My experience as a woman: “There’s no doubt that you’ll find fewer women than men in the automotive field, and especially inside vehicle development. Our global team ensured we had significant diversity in all areas. I believe that was key to creating such a remarkable product.”

What’s special about the Honda Civic: “Because it was my responsibility to lead the development of Civic’s vehicle dynamics, I find a lot of pride in the car’s steering, ride, handling and stability, which is truly impressive. We really pushed the envelope by benchmarking the Civic, an entry-level vehicle, against European luxury competitors like the Audi A3. And it shows. Being awarded the North American Car of the Year was the icing on top.”

2017 Buick LaCrosse
Liz Wetzel, Director of Design Buick Interiors with the 2017 Buick LaCrosse. Photo by Steve Fecht for Buick

Liz Wetzel, global director of Buick Interior Design

How she got there: A General Motors lifer, Wetzel joined the company 30 years ago after graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in industrial design. She credits a tour of GM’s Warren, Mich.-based design center during her student days with inspiring her career path. “A car is the ultimate expression of one’s personal style and taste,” Wetzel says. “It is fashionable, functional, romantic, enabling a sense of freedom to go out there and experience life.” She was named GM’s first female vehicle chief designer in 1997. A native Detroiter, Wetzel is the fourth generation of her family to work in the industry.

Why cars: “Cars are cool. They are not like any other product in our lives. As a designer, I love the challenge of using both sides of the brain—the creative, inspired artist as well as the thoughtful problem-solver who works with engineering and manufacturing to get the car on the road and into the customers’ hands.”

Her experience as a woman: “When I first started years ago, women were almost viewed as a novelty. It has gotten a lot better, but the proportion of women in this industry still has room to grow. With Mary Barra at the helm, I am confident more women will become inspired to seek out the auto industry as a career choice.”

What’s special about the Buicks at the show: “When we set out to design interiors for the Envision crossover, Cascada convertible and LaCrosse sedan, our goal was to create an experience for our customers and a sense of wellbeing. Our customers view their cars as their sanctuary, so we are designing harmonious interiors with thoughtful details that connect on an emotional level.”

Anna Gallagher, senior launch manager for Jaguar Sports and Lifestyle cars.

How she got there: Whitley, U.K.-based Gallagher held several positions at Jaguar Land Rover, including global brand manager for the new Jaguar F-PACE SUV, before being promoted to senior launch manager for Jaguar Sports and Lifestyle cars. She was also responsible for the launches of the Jaguar XJ and XJR sedans. “Being the voice of the customer into the product development teams means that I am usually the only female in the meetings so I had to learn quickly to speak up and challenge the team,” Gallagher says. “I found that I can also give a different perspective so we end up with a more balanced discussion or even solutions we wouldn’t have found with an all-male team.”

Why cars: “There is something really special about how a car can make you feel. I have always loved cars—from the age of about five I used to spot cars by their taillights, I knew I had to get a job in automotive.”

My experience as a woman: “You have to prove yourself twice, first because you are a woman and secondly to show that you can do the job. I did get told once very early on in my career that I would have to change my voice if I wanted to succeed in automotive, as it was simply ‘too high.’ In another role at Ford, one of the retailers tried to get me switched as he wasn’t sure he could deal with an area manager that was a ‘girl.’ Two years later, the day I announced I was moving roles, he called my director to say he needed me to stay.”

What’s special about the F-PACE: “The F-PACE is the only Jaguar that has always had a female marketing manager heading up the program. We needed to protect the coupe-like design, but I also knew that a reason for rejecting cars, particularly from women, in this segment is rear visibility. Our target customer would have children in the rear so we had to ensure as many children as possible can see out of the windows.”

About the Author
By Jaclyn Trop
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in MPW

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in MPW

swisher
Politicspodcasts
‘Podcasts are the NBA’: Scott Galloway on Kara Swisher’s big success — ‘there’s a small amount of people making a lot of money’
By Steven Sloan and The Associated PressJune 29, 2026
2 hours ago
np
PoliticsColleges and Universities
Nancy Pelosi brings her legendary congressional knowhow to a new Berkeley institute with $35 million in funding
By Kevin Freking and The Associated PressJune 29, 2026
2 hours ago
Illustration of a bomb with the Bitcoin logo printed on it, against an orange background.
CryptoCryptocurrency
Bitcoin down 20% since May as Strategy fallout spooks investors
By Camila Grigera NaónJune 26, 2026
3 days ago
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America’s $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
SuccessMacKenzie Scott
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America’s $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
4 days ago
‘We are in agony’: Today Show host Savannah Guthrie begs public for help as reports surface her missing 84-year-old mom might be dead
North AmericaMedia
‘We are in agony’: Today Show host Savannah Guthrie begs public for help as reports surface her missing 84-year-old mom might be dead
By The Associated PressJune 24, 2026
5 days ago
rp
CommentaryLaw
Cooley CEO: Big Law won’t survive if it treats AI as just an efficiency tool
By Rachel ProffittJune 23, 2026
6 days ago

Most Popular

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
4 days ago
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
Success
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
By Preston ForeJune 27, 2026
2 days ago
Ex-Google engineer says Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Sundar Pichai share the same trait—it's the lesson he swears by as a $7.2 billion AI CEO
Success
Ex-Google engineer says Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Sundar Pichai share the same trait—it's the lesson he swears by as a $7.2 billion AI CEO
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 28, 2026
1 day ago
Cristiano Ronaldo is soccer's first-ever billionaire: He went from begging for burgers outside McDonald's to landing a $400 million contract
Success
Cristiano Ronaldo is soccer's first-ever billionaire: He went from begging for burgers outside McDonald's to landing a $400 million contract
By Preston ForeJune 28, 2026
1 day ago
The retired college professor fighting a $313 trespassing ticket in Wisconsin thinks he's part of a national struggle
Environment
The retired college professor fighting a $313 trespassing ticket in Wisconsin thinks he's part of a national struggle
By Catherina GioinoJune 28, 2026
1 day ago
Iran is forcing the U.S. into an escalation trap as a 'shadow war' over the Strait of Hormuz heats up that could kill the tenuous ceasefire
Politics
Iran is forcing the U.S. into an escalation trap as a 'shadow war' over the Strait of Hormuz heats up that could kill the tenuous ceasefire
By Jason MaJune 28, 2026
22 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.