Inforum's 19th Automotive Breakfast 2023

Registration is now closed. If you wish to register, please continue through waiting list. If you have any questions call/email Alex Rudoni arudoni@inforummichigan.org 313-567-0232.

7:30-9:30 a.m., Sept. 15, Detroit Marriott

Navigating the Shift to Mobility – With Detroit as a Leader

Automotive always has been a technology-driven industry, but in the next ten years there is likely to be more change in the industry than there has been in the last hundred. And much of that change will be taking place in Michigan, home to the densest automotive and mobility supply chain in the world. This year’s breakfast features a panel of leaders who will discuss how OEMs and suppliers in Michigan are leading the way to high-quality, sustainable transportation options.

Aruna Anand

President and CEO, Automotive Group Sector; Head of Architecture and Networking, Continental North America

Aruna was appointed to her current position in December 2022 and is responsible for coordinating the North American activities of Continental’s five automotive business areas and central functions such as engineering, finance, quality, information technology, human resources, purchasing, communications and marketing. She also has responsibility for all architecture and networking business activities that support customers based out of North America.

Kristen Tabar

Group VP, Advanced Mobility Research & Development, Toyota North America

In her roles, Kristen is responsible for technical strategy and planning of advanced mobility solutions. She also is regional chief risk officer for Toyota Motor Corp. Previously, she was group vice president, Vehicle Development and Engineering, Toyota Motor North America, Research and Development and also served as vice president of corporate quality at Toyota Motor North America headquarters in Plano, Texas.

Paul Thomas
President, Mobility in Americas, Bosch 
On Jan. 1, Paul Thomas will step into the new role of president, Mobility in the Americas, Bosch; and lead the regional board. He will oversee technology, strategy, and sales for the Americas region and also will lead the four-person regional board tasked to lead mobility growth in a key market for Bosch. He previously served as executive vice president of Mobility Solutions, Americas, where he was responsible for sales, marketing, and quality for the region’s $10 billion mobility business. He is also globally responsible for Bosch business with Ford Motor Co. 

Alan M. Wexler
GM Senior Vice President, Strategy and Innovation

Alan Wexler was appointed senior vice president of GM Strategy and Innovation in August 2020, and leads the Strategy, Innovation, and Data and Customer Insights teams. Alan has been working at the intersection of strategy, technology and creative for more than 30 years. Before joining GM, Wexler served as chairman and CEO of Publicis Sapient and CEO of SapientRazorfish and CEO of SapientNitro. Prior to Sapient joining Publicis, he was President of SapientNitro and has held several other senior leadership positions for an aggregate of 20 years. 

Moderator:
Justine Johnson
Chief Mobility Officer, State of Michigan

Justine Johnson is chief mobility officer for the state of Michigan, leading the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification in working across state government, academia, and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem. Previously, she served on the Los Angeles Aviation Commission and was director of member engagement at the nonprofit California Mobility Center. Prior jobs included serving as head of mobility engagement for Ford’s SoCal/Southwest region and as vice president of government and community relations for the New York City Economic Development Corp.

Also:

Inforum’s AutomotiveNEXT industry group will announce its evolution to MobilityNEXT. AutomotiveNEXT was founded in the wake of the Great Recession to close the talent gap and strengthen the talent pipeline for automotive by increasing the presence of women in the industry and helping to foster their careers. This evolution continues that work.

The group’s activities and focus are created by an executive committee of 24 companies – including Ford, GM,  Stellantis, and Toyota - who sponsor and support Inforum’s and AutomotiveNEXT’s work.