EXECUTIVE IN AUTO INDUSTRY FOSTERING NEXT GENERATION OF FEMALE LEADERS
As a leading female executive in the auto industry with a strong commitment to mentoring, Brigit Anthony is dedicated to fostering the next generation of female leaders
Anthony is vice president, engineering and technology, North America at Cooper Standard, where she leads a team of over 300 engineers, scientists and technicians in engineering, laboratories, prototype facilities and technical centers.
She is the North American champion for Cooper Standard’s STEM Affinity Group, and instrumental in growing its STEM programs. The group trains and coordinates Cooper Standard’s STEM Accelerator employee volunteers, and offers tutoring, science demonstrations and career information to metro-Detroit children as part of the company’s education program. As the technical lead, Anthony has been at the forefront of inspiring and engaging the next generation of students to pursue STEM jobs, a key component for technological innovation, manufacturing sustainability and global competitiveness.
Over the past year, she has also created and led the company’s Global Engineering Council, which sets policy and direction to achieve world-class engineering. The team develops key initiatives to establish best practices in creating, standardizing and reusing product designs and increasing global technical competency. Among her other numerous endeavors, she is the coexecutive lead of the company’s internal mentoring group called WISE (Women, Inspire, Support, Enrich).
In the words of Brigit Anthony:
How is the world changing with respect to STEM?
“Nearly every profession relies on STEM education, including computer technology, safety, security and manufacturing. STEM programs provide an avenue for students to learn about career paths in these fields, education levels and many opportunities that would not have been realized.”
What barriers are in the way to closing the gender gap in STEM?
“Professional women in STEM careers are role models but are also busy mothers with little time to give back and volunteer. More opportunities to volunteer during work hours can provide a reasonable opportunity to promote STEM at female events.”
How can the world increase diversity in STEM fields?
“Education in many methods; special events, science projects, competitions, demonstrations to generate interest to learn more and understand that anyone can find an interesting career in STEM fields.”
What can be done to move women forward in STEM?
“Sharing programs, ideas and successes. Women care about young girls’ education and want to give back. Help make it easy and fun for women in STEM careers to participate, lead or create STEM programs. Give them access to a template of ideas, programs, how to get started kit.”
Words I live by:
“Don’t make career plans because of being afraid or not knowing enough. Learn, question and then make an educated decision even if that is not STEM.”
