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2021 CADIA Impact Awards

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!

CADIA received more than 70 nominations for awards in four Impact Award categories, and the winners were selected by a panel of judges. Read more on the 2021 CADIA Impact Awards.

On November 12 a live and live-streamed event was held to honor the winners of the 2021 awards.  The following corporations and individuals received Impact Awards:

Leadership Commitment Award 

Stellantis Logo

Stellantis
The senior leadership team at Stellantis has collectively embraced Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and demonstrated their dedication to modeling the behavior, values, and norms that foster an equitable and inclusive workplace. In 2021, Stellantis established the Company’s purpose with diversity at the core, unveiling a comprehensive Diversity & Inclusion strategy and committing to a refreshed North America D&I Council that includes eighteen hand-picked Senior leaders. Stellantis’ DEI initiatives include a first-of-its-kind partnership with the National Business League (NBL) to develop Black suppliers in the pursuit of greater racial equity in the marketplace and an Inclusive Leadership Self-Assessment that was completed by more than 2,400 leaders across the company.

Runner Up: Mark White, President and CEO | Shape Corp

Runner Up: Priya Gurumurthy, Director IT | Yanfeng

Stellantis Team

Cheryl Thompson pictured with the Stellantis team

Systemic Change Award 

Walser Logo

Seth Kaempfer, Walser Automotive Group
In his role as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist, Seth has led the way in developing a systemic framework and foundation for Walser’s DEI work and establishing the company’s DEI Core Values. Seth’s commitment to DEI is unwavering, and he continually works to develop an inclusive workplace that allows a stronger sense of belonging and feel affirmed in their differences. His actions have helped Walser center diversity as an asset and be equity minded in thought and action.

Runner Up: Amanda Ludwig (Gonyeau), HR Business Partner | Brose

Runner Up: Kevin Freeman, Chief Counsel, Securities & Transactions | Tenneco

Seth from Walser

Presentation of the Systemic Change Award to Seth Kaempfer from Walser

Creating Inclusive Cultures Award 

Yanfeng Logo

MacKenzie Gibson
Yanfeng
A committed advocate and key member of Yanfeng’s DEI program, MacKenzie goes above and beyond to help make the company a more inclusive place. She continuously finds innovative ways to share information with her colleagues and support the growth of the company's Diversity & Inclusion Group with contributions like her Leadership of a DEI-focused book club and her support of internally organized “TEDTalk” style events on topics such as Juneteeth, PRIDE and an overview of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. Attendance at these events each month has grown and has become one of the company’s most popular mechanisms for DEI discussions with employees.

Runner Up:  Kristi VanWormer Sr. Manager, Marketing & Communication | AAM

Runner Up: BorgWarner Women in Science and Engineering | BorgWarner

MacKenzie Gibson from Yanfeng

MacKenzie Gibson from Yanfeng with her Impact Award

Champion for Diverse Talent Award 

APMA Logo

Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (APMA)
The APMA worked with its 300+ members, community partners, and government to establish the $7M Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Fund, the first industry-wide program to directly develop and advance diverse talent. The program builds pathways to new communities that have been historically underrepresented in the manufacturing sector and removes barriers that equity-seeking groups face in gaining employment. The APMA builds relationships between community organizations and employers to help match job seekers to placements and specifically targets organizations that support Black, Indigenous, People of Color, youth, women, and people with disabilities.

Runner Up: Ashwini Balasubramanian, Global Director Market Intelligence | Martinrea

Runner Up: Scott Thiele, Head of Portfolio Planning | Stellantis

AMPA Team

The AMPA team with pictured with their Impact Award

Power of One Award 

COMAU Logo

Additionally, CADIA presented the Power of One Award to Comau. This award was selected by CADIA staff to recognize an individual or company that exhibited particularly outstanding leadership in DEI. During the nomination process, a particularly moving submission from a Comau employee was received who wanted to recognize the company for how supported they had made her feel as she transitioned from presenting as a man to presenting as a woman. She felt welcome and accepted for her true self and has been treated with respect and kindness by Comau employees around the world. This is the perfect example of how DEI work is impacting people’s lives – one person at a time.

Runner Up: Patricia (Lani) Glancy Vice President, Talent Development, DEI, and Communications | AutoZone

Runner Up: Kerri Wise, VP Marketing, AutoFi | President, Women of Color Automotive Network (WOCAN)

The Power of One Award presented to Comau

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The 2021 CADIA Impact Awards recognize excellence in and commitment to DEI. Every organization and individual is on a different journey, and many are making a difference every day in large and small ways.

CADIA Impact Awards categories are described below:

  • Leadership Commitment: A leader who has demonstrated his/her/their commitment and support to DEI in meaningful ways, modeling the behavior, values and norms that foster an equitable and inclusive workplace.
  • Systemic Change: An individual or organization that is breaking down systemic bias and addressing organizational barriers to inclusion and equity in the workplace.
  • Champion for Diverse Talent: An individual or organization that is raising up/developing/advancing or advocating for diverse talent.
  • Creating Inclusive Cultures: An individual or organization that has made strides in creating an inclusive culture where individuals can show up authentically in the workplace.