2021 Lunch with Executives Bios

Bidding opens August 16, 2021.

LISA DRAKE, Chief Operating Officer, North America, Ford Motor Company

Lisa Drake is chief operating officer, North America, effective May 1, 2020. She reports to Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product platform and operations officer.

In this newly created role, Drake will bring enhanced focus to product launches, warranty reduction and material cost improvements. She also will place a renewed emphasis on returning the North America business back to a 10-percent EBIT margin through her work on cost and waste reduction.

She will continue as vice president, Global Purchasing responsible for all category management processes and procurement functions across direct and indirect purchasing areas as well as supplier technical assistance.

Previously, Drake served as vice president, Global Powertrain, responsible for all powertrain purchasing operations worldwide. She joined purchasing in 2013 as director, Global Program Purchasing, and also served as director, Global Interior Purchasing, a position she held since August 2016.

Before purchasing, Drake held various positions in Product Development for nearly 20 years. In 2004, she led the F-150 product and launch team during the construction of the state-of-the-art Dearborn Truck Plant at the Ford Rouge Center. Her other notable positions include chief engineer, Lincoln MKC; assistant chief engineer, F-Series Super Duty; and program manager roles for Explorer and Expedition.

Drake also served as the Global Hybrid / Battery Electric Vehicle chief engineer from May 2007 to September 2010. In this position, she led the development and delivery of Fusion Hybrid, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, and the C-Max Hybrid and Energi programs.

In addition to her work with hybrid and plug-in hybrids, Drake led the development of the Focus Electric and the Transit Connect Electric. In 2008, the Automotive Hall of Fame awarded her the Young Leadership and Excellence Award, in recognition of her contributions and leadership in the growing field of electrification.

Drake joined Ford in 1994 as a Ford College Graduate in powertrain engineering. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Michael Resha, Head of Manufacturing, Stellantis 

Michael Resha is Head of Manufacturing for Stellantis. He was named to the position in March 2020. Prior to this position, Resha served as Global Head of Press Shops and Dies. He also was Head of Press Shops and Dies for North America and served as Chairman of the Board for AutoDie, CpK and Variform. 
 
Before joining the Company in 2017, Resha was a general manager with Gestamp Auto Components Asia and North America Divisions, where he was responsible for overseeing plant operations, procurement, construction and development of the technical skill base related to hot stamping. In this role, he launched the first greenfield hot stamping facility in South China. 
 
Resha assumed key roles in the launch of new greenfield sites for Volkswagen Group of America in Tennessee and KIA Motors in West Point, Georgia. He also played a critical part in the management of the body shop and supplier development for the expansion of the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for the next-generation vehicles. 
 
Resha has been based in the U.S., China and Germany, acquiring a variety of experiences in manufacturing, quality and engineering. 
 
His work and academic background includes: 

• 2020 - current, Head of Manufacturing, FCA - North America 
• 2017, Global Head of Press Shops and Dies 

• 2012, General Manager, Gestamp Auto Components Asia and North America Divisions 
• 2010, Body Shop Department Manager, Volkswagen Group of America 
• 2008, Department Manager - Head of Stamping, Body and Paint Quality, KIA Motors Manufacturing 
• 1997, Various roles in body-in-white operations, engineering and supplier quality, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International 

Resha holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Alabama (1998). 
 
He was born in Huntsville, Alabama. 

Bethany Toldo, President Filtration and Engine Peripherals North America, MAHLE Filter Systems North America, Inc

Bethany Toldo is President of MAHLE Filter Systems North America, Inc., a position she has held since April 2016. 

Ms. Toldo has been part of the automotive industry for the past 31 years in increasingly responsible roles.  Bethany holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University (formerly GMI Institute) and holds a minor in Chemistry and Polymer Science.

Bethany spent the first 10 years of her automotive career working at General Motors of Canada in various engineering roles.  Ms. Toldo left GM to work at SiemensVDO, in a variety of Manufacturing and Engineering leadership roles.  During MAHLE’s acquisition of SiemensVDO, Ms. Toldo transitioned into the role of Plant Manager for the Windsor facility and later transferred to the Tilbury facility.  In 2013, she was promoted to Director, Manufacturing Planning & Launch and, ultimately in 2016, she was promoted to President of the North American Filtration and Engine Peripherals Business Unit.

Ms. Toldo has a passion for people leadership in addition to Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence.  She genuinely enjoys working with people and seeing others in the organization grow.  She is referred to as a good decision maker and listener. She is very well respected for her calm demeaner, strong leadership style and people-centric approach.

Steve Schmith is the executive director of custom research and data strategy at Automotive News. He leads the Automotive News Research & Data Center, responsible for setting the strategic direction and driving growth of the business unit by working with go-to-market partners to develop and deliver industry-leading custom research and insights that create value for Automotive News’ readers, custom research and commercial partners and the editorial team. He also serves as the director of the Automotive News PACE program and co-hosts the Daily Drive podcast. 

Steve has nearly 25 years of automotive industry experience, including more than 17 years of Big Four experience, where he led marketing for Deloitte’s Automotive practice globally and in the U.S. Prior to joining Deloitte, Steve worked in marketing communications for Tier 1 automotive supplier Direct Sourcing Solutions, Inc. (DSSI), as well as spent time working in economic development for the Downtown St. Louis Partnership.   

He has co-authored a number of research reports exploring consumers’ automotive shopping behaviors, mobility choices and customer experience expectations. His work also explores the future of manufacturing and America’s global manufacturing competitiveness. He has also authored Congressional testimony on the topic of manufacturing in America for the United States House Energy and Commerce subcommittee.    

Kristen Tabar , Group Vice President Vehicle Development and Engineering, Toyota Motor North America Research and Development  

Kristen Tabar is group vice president of Vehicle Development and Engineering at Toyota Motor North American Research & Development (TMNA R&D) in York Township, Michigan, responsible for vehicle development design engineering teams for Toyota’s North American operations.  In this role, Tabar directs the vehicle development strategy, introducing new technology and systems, working with North American manufacturing centers and local suppliers to deliver vehicles matching customer expectations and Toyota’s high level of quality.    

Previously, Tabar was vice president of Corporate Quality at TMNA headquarters in Plano, Texas.   Prior to that role, Tabar served as vice president of the Technical Strategy Planning Office at Toyota Motor North American Research & Development in York Township, Michigan.  She also served as vice president of Electrical Systems Engineering.  Tabar joined Toyota in 1992 as an electronics engineer.   

Passionate about women’s leadership, Tabar supports a range of outreach and continuing development initiatives related to STEM education for women.  Currently, she serves on Toyota’s Diversity Advisory Board, Audit Committee, and Investment Council.    

Tabar earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan. She is married to husband, Dan for 25 years and has three future engineering daughters: Andrea, Danielle, and Natalie.    

Tania Pratnicki Young, Plant Manager Dundee Engine Plant, Stellantis 
Career:

• 1977-1979 Foreman Warren Truck Assembly​
• 1979-1985 Mopar Depot Operations​
• 1985-1995 St. Louis Assembly Launch Team, Area Manager, and Center Manager​
• 1995-1998 Toledo Machining Plant Operations Manager and ISO Manager​
• 1998-2000 ECP Plant Manager​
• 200-2011 TMP Plant Manager​
• 2012-2014 General Manager CpK Operations, Mack Engine Interim Plant Manager, and Director Powertrain Staff​
• 2014-Present Plant Manager Dundee Engine Plant​
• Lead 20+ audits in the United States, Mexico, China, South America, and Europe since 2015​
• Lead Dundee to WCM Silver Awards in 2015, 1st plant in the US and Mexico​
• First Plant in North America to challenge WCM Gold. (Current score=69)

Recognition

• Recognized in Congressional speech in Congress by Congressman Walberg for 40 yr. Milestone (2018)​
• Women's Alliance Board Member​
• Women's Leadership Speaker, Saltillo Mexico​
• Automotive News 100 Leading Women Award (2015)​
• DEP Silver Award (2015)​
• Certified WCM Auditor (2015)

Recognition

• Recognized in Congressional speech in Congress by Congressman Walberg for 40 yr. Milestone (2018)​
• Women's Alliance Board Member​
• Women's Leadership Speaker, Saltillo Mexico​
• Automotive News 100 Leading Women Award (2015)​
• DEP Silver Award (2015)​
• Certified WCM Auditor (2015)​