Yuba City woman becomes first female chair of Ford board

Yuba City native, Kathleen V. “Kathy” Theodore, made history on Thursday as she became the first female to ascend to the position of Chair in the board of directors at Ford Motor Company.

Theodore, who had earlier held the position of lead director at the automaker, was elected to the post during the board’s annual meeting. Ford’s board is composed of eleven members, five of whom are women.

In a statement, Ford CEO Jim Hackett praised Theodore’s appointment as “a proud moment for Ford, and a historic milestone for our company.” He added that she “brings deep expertise and a passion for our business that will serve the company well.”

Theodore has held a seat on the automaker’s board since 2013, and has been a lead director since 2017, chairing the board’s audit and governance committees.

Theodore, who is the former chief financial officer at Paychex Inc. and former vice president of finance at IBM, said in a statement, “I am honored to serve as Chair of Ford’s Board, and I am confident that this team of independent directors will continue to drive positive change and deliver sustainable, long-term value to our shareholders.”

Theodore’s appointment to the position of Ford’s board chair breaks a long-standing gender barrier in a corporate setting, as women continue to be underrepresented in executive and boardroom positions.

Theodore’s appointment comes at a time when the automotive industry is undergoing rapid change due to advancing technology and shifting consumer tastes.

Theodore stated that she is “looking forward to working with the board and Ford’s leadership to ensure the company is taking advantage of the opportunities ahead for a successful future.”

Yuba City native, Kathleen V. “Kathy” Theodore, made history on Thursday, when she was elected to the role of Chair on the board of directors at Ford Motor Company. This is the first time a woman has held this position at the automaker, setting a significant milestone for the company.

Theodore, who has served as lead director since 2017, has been a member of the board since 2013, and has chaired the audit and governance committees. Prior to this role, she was the chief financial officer at Paychex Inc. and a vice president of finance at IBM.

Commenting on her appointment, Ford CEO Jim Hackett praised Theodore’s election as “a proud moment for Ford, and a historic milestone for our company.” He added that she “brings deep expertise and a passion for our business that will serve the company well.”

Theodore highlighted the fact that her selection to the position of Ford’s board chair breaks a long-standing gender barrier in a corporate setting, as women remain underrepresented in executive and boardroom positions. She also noted that her appointment comes at a time when the automotive industry is undergoing rapid transformation due to the emergence of new technologies and changing consumer preferences.

Theodore stated that she is “looking forward to working with the board and Ford’s leadership to ensure the company is taking advantage of the opportunities ahead for a successful future.”

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Yuba City woman becomes first female chair of Ford board | News

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