Susan M. Cischke

Photo: DaimlerChrysler

The award is given annually to a woman who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of engineering or technical management. This is the first time the award has been given to a woman executive of the auto industry. The award recognizes women who have successfully risen to decision-making positions and can serve as role models for other women. 

Cischke joined the former Chrysler Corporation in May 1976 as an engineer with the Chrysler Institute Program, a two-year rotational training program. She advanced quickly in the engineering ranks and was named General Manager of the Scientific Labs and Proving Grounds in 1994. In 1996 she was named Vice President of Vehicle Certification, Compliance and Safety Affairs.  

In November of 1999 she was named Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Passenger Car Operations. In this capacity she has responsibility for all regulatory affairs in North America, including vehicle safety issues and all environmental issues. She also oversees the work done by thousands of others in manufacturing and product development. Cischke is responsible for meeting corporate quality, volume and profitability targets for 30 percent of all vehicles produced, generating 20 percent of all corporate revenues. 

Leaders of the national SWE cited Cischke specifically for her leadership in automotive safety. "It is most significant that you continue to have a pivotal role in your company's overall safety philosophy and direction, and that you are a passionate advocate for improving real-world and child safety," said Sherita T. Ceasar, National President of the SWE. "This epitomizes the values of the Society of Women Engineers." 

Cischke has spearheaded the corporation's safety programs. She led the development of such innovative and award-winning initiatives such as The Back is Where It's At and Do The Buckle, educational programs designed to encourage children to buckle up appropriately, and Fit for a Kid, an industry-leading child safety seat service. The Corporation recently received a prestigious Outstanding Achievement for Leadership in Safety Award from the National Transportation Safety Board for Fit for a Kid. 

As a leading engineer at DaimlerChrysler, Cischke has been an active member of the SWE, serving as a mentor to other women and Executive Sponsor for the Chrysler Group for SWE. At DaimlerChrysler, she helped form a Professional Women's Forum to develop, recruit and retain high potential women professionals. 

In addition to her pioneering role in the automotive industry, Cischke has served on the Board of Trustees for the Oakland University Alumni Association; participated in the "Creating the Future" Advisory Group for the Engineering Program at Oakland University; and is active in the Society of Automotive Engineers. Previously, she served as chairperson of the Chelsea Community Hospital; a member of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; and a member of the Parish Council for St. Mary's Student Parish at the University of Michigan.  

"Sue has been a tremendous asset to the officers' ranks at DaimlerChrysler. Her engineering expertise, combined with an unwavering commitment to customers -- especially children -- has made her a leader in the automotive regulatory process," said James P. Holden, President and Chief Executive Officer of DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "She is also a believer in the mentoring process. She has personally taken dozens of young women engineers under her wing to share her knowledge and experience." 

Cischke has received numerous awards throughout her career. In 1997, she was granted the Horace H. Rackham Award for Outstanding Humanitarian Achievements by the Engineering Society of Detroit -- the first woman granted the award in its 102-year history. She was named an Outstanding Woman in the Auto Industry by Ward's Auto World and McCall's Magazine in 1995. She was named the 2000 University of Michigan-Dearborn Engineering & Computer Science Distinguished Alumnus of the Year and the 1999-2000 Oakland University Distinguished Alumni Service Award. 

"Sue's strategic leadership and continuous dedication to creative problem solving have contributed greatly to DaimlerChrysler's success as a an automotive leader," said Tom Gale, Executive Vice President of Product Development and Design. "Her receipt of this prestigious award is an honor to DaimlerChrysler and the many employees who have chosen her as their role model." 

Cischke received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1976 from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She earned two Masters Degrees from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, in Engineering and Professional Development in Management. She also has completed two executive curriculums, the Harvard Business School "Managing Global Opportunities" program in 1999 and the Tuck Executive Program at Dartmouth College in 1994. 

(June 29, 2000)