Chrysler Group LLC Sponsors Inforum Event Focused on Reaching and Recruiting Talented Women

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Jan 13, 2011, 08:00 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Inforum Auto Show Breakfast addresses ways to make the automotive industry a better career destination for talented women
Nancy Rae: "Women need to hear and understand that the automotive industry is an outstanding career destination for them"
2011 Dodge Charger team provides an example of how an inclusive culture at Chrysler is paying dividends for the Company and customers

The future role of talented women in the automotive industry was the main focus of Inforum's annual Auto Show Breakfast, sponsored by Chrysler Group LLC.

Inforum was founded in 1962 and is a leading advocate of training and development of future women business leaders. This year's Inforum Auto Show Breakfast, titled "She's just not that into you," tackled a subject important to the automotive industry and to Inforum members: How to make the industry a better place for talented women to lead and to succeed.

"Chrysler and others are actively seeking the talented people we need to compete today and in the future," said Nancy A. Rae, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Chrysler Group LLC and a Board Member of Inforum. "Women need to hear and understand that the automotive industry is an outstanding career destination for them."

As an example, Rae pointed to the cross-functional team of women leaders at Chrysler involved in the development and execution of the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger.

"These women's talents are fully engaged producing one of the most exciting products on the market today," Rae added. "This is just one of many great stories that provide a glimpse of the inclusive culture we have created at Chrysler, and the opportunities available to our employees to be part of something very exciting."

The Dodge Charger team is led by Chris Barman, Vehicle Line Executive of the E Segment Platform, Chrysler Group LLC. The team includes a core group of women in key leadership roles in areas such as product development, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, finance and public relations.

"The Dodge Charger team is a diverse and high performance group," Barman said. "It is important to recognize this team includes a higher than normal percentage of women in key leadership positions. This diversity is a source of energy, innovation and unconventional perspectives that enable the Dodge Charger to be a very special product."

"We are so proud that many innovative thinkers from the fields of human resources, auto manufacturing and academia contributed to this year's Auto Show Breakfast, including the CEOs of Chrysler, GM and Ford," said Terry Barclay, President and CEO of Inforum. "Attendees, many of whom will be some of the most accomplished women executives in the industry, will also help shape the agenda of Inforum's new AutomotiveNEXT group focused on connecting the industry with talented women."

About Chrysler's Leadership Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Chrysler historically has been a leader in promoting diversity throughout its enterprise. The Company was named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine 12 times, and has been recognized five times by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as one of the country's leading corporations supporting diversity and inclusion. In 2009 and 2010, Chrysler was named to Hispanic Business magazine's prestigious Diversity Elite 60, for implementing strategies to reach more Hispanic customers and to pursue more business with minority- and Hispanic-owned suppliers.

Early in 2010, CEO Sergio Marchionne assumed the role as executive sponsor of Chrysler's Global Diversity Council and reaffirmed the commitment of Chrysler's leadership team to the values and principles of diversity. "Culture is the fabric that holds organizations together. It is not just an ingredient for success; it is the essence of success itself," Marchionne wrote. "This is why my leadership team and I are committed to creating an atmosphere where all of our people feel respected and valued, because every person plays an important role in shaping our future, including employees, our supply base, our marketing and our dealer network. Chrysler Group LLC and its people have a future with promise. We will reach the full measure of that promise only as one, united diverse team."

About Chrysler Group LLC - Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram and Mopar vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler's culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat's complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Ram Truck. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

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SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC