Barb Samardzich

1958

After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, Barb Samardzich joined Ford in 1990. She has worked in several departments, including powertrain development, and has regularly been cited as one of the most influential women in the car industry after taking on the job of chief operating officer at Ford of Europe in 2013. She retired in 2016 but still works in various roles within the automotive industry.