Heidrick & Struggles: The Critical Role For Female Leadership in The Mash-Up of Detroit and Silicon Valley

Executive talent from the traditionally male-dominated sectors of technology in the Silicon Valley and automotive in Detroit are coming together in unexpected ways to develop the cars of the not-too-distant future. Personal mobility soon will include some combination of the following.

The Driverless Car
A driverless car can automatically detect and navigate its environment without human intervention, opening new frontiers for personal mobility as well as for improved safety on our streets and highways.

The Connected Car
The connected car brings together the customer’s digital life, from infotainment to traffic snarl-avoiding dynamic navigation, while continuously streaming data to the manufacturer to anticipate component wear issues, manage parts inventory, and provide a seamless service experience at the car dealership.

The Zero-Emissions Car
Highly efficient, environmentally friendly transportation, the zero-emissions car is made of lightweight materials and runs on electricity from a battery recharged every time the brakes are applied, or from a generator connected to a hydrogen fuel cell.

Each of the major automotive OEMs are hard at work developing these capabilities, but they need fresh thinking from the tech world to keep pace with their new competition. Tesla has demonstrated the disruptive power of a well-organized start-up, popularizing high-performance electric cars (and creating new sales models). And tech giants Google and Apple are developing their own take on personal mobility, launching autonomous car projects that they confidently expect will surpass anything the existing automakers can develop.

In the mash-up of Detroit and Silicon Valley, the key ingredient will be talent, and organizations that underestimate the capabilities of female talent will be making a huge mistake.

Will the increased convergence and migration of talent from Silicon Valley to Detroit — and vice versa — further solidify existing barriers for aspiring women leaders? Or does it present new opportunities for women who can bridge technology with automotive product development and manufacturing expertise?

New Opportunities for Women Executives
The women Heidrick & Struggles interviewed each saw the mash-up of these two divergent sectors as an opportunity for women leaders in the automotive industry.

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