WASHINGTON (April 23, 2024) – On April 18, three Toyota manufacturing leaders acquired nationwide recognition on the Women MAKE Awards in Washington, D.C. The honorees have been amongst 130 excellent girls leaders acknowledged by the Manufacturing Institute for delivering management within the business and making contributions to the communities wherein they dwell.

The MAKE Awards (previously generally known as the STEP Ahead Awards) acknowledge girls game-changers and establish prime expertise in manufacturing, and additional encourage award winners to mentor and help the subsequent technology of feminine expertise to pursue fashionable manufacturing careers.

“There has never been a better time for young women to pursue opportunities in modern manufacturing,” mentioned Toyota Senior Vice President of Electric Vehicle Supply and incoming Women MAKE Awards Vice Chair Susan Elkington. “As a previous Honoree, I know the power of this program to motivate and mentor the next generation, and I am excited to continue to be part of this initiative highlighting the amazing Women who MAKE America.”

Toyota Honorees:

Kristen Tabar, group vice chairman, Research and Development Toyota Motor North America (TMNA)
With greater than 30 years of expertise within the auto business, Tabar is a trailblazer in TMNA R&D, at present main mobility options. Name a task in automotive electronics, and Tabar has probably stuffed it. She’s additionally steered course of and design enhancements and led the company high quality division for Toyota’s North American operations.

Natalie Wilkinson, vice chairman, Manufacturing Production Innovation Center, TMNA
As a feminine trailblazer in Toyota manufacturing engineering, Wilkinson is a transformative chief at TMNA. She’s held key roles in plant manufacturing and regional headquarters, overseeing the automotive manufacturing revolution. Leading the cross-functional manufacturing manufacturing innovation middle and the manufacturing digital transformation group, she employs revolutionary methods and applied sciences, steering Toyota towards competitiveness, electrification and carbon neutrality.

Toyota Emerging Leaders:

Patricia Pastrana Arroyo, pilot engineer, Toyota Indiana (Emerging Leader Award)
Arroyo’s repute as a motivated engineer with abilities for establishing methods and coaching groups at Toyota Indiana is well-founded. During her time because the plastics division principal chief, she educated 55 group members whereas implementing quite a few kaizens and a paint-jig enchancment, growing effectivity and high quality whereas considerably decreasing prices for 2 mannequin launches.

Each 12 months, the Manufacturing Institute, the workforce growth and schooling accomplice of the National Association of Manufacturers, acknowledges girls within the science, expertise, engineering and manufacturing areas of the manufacturing business who exemplify management and excellence of their careers.

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