DEARBORN, Sept. 18, 2007 -- Nancy Gioia, director of Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs for Ford Motor Company, is being honored as an "Everyday Hero" by the RARE Foundation. The foundation is composed of prominent Michigan business and corporate leaders.
Gioia is being honored "for being a role model to the engineering community at Ford, for bringing extraordinary creativity and passion to her position, and for being an inspiring mentor to young people, both inside and outside her company," according to the foundation.
RARE aims to inspire young people in Michigan through the discussion, discovery and writing about the "heroes" in their respective communities.
At Ford, Gioia leads an integrated global research team of more than 300 engineers who focus on creating a sustainable future for the company. This future requires new ideas for products and processes that will meet future transportation needs without compromising the environment.
Gioia is active in mentoring both inside and outside of Ford Motor Company.
"It's easy to look around our state and have doubts about the future," said Gioia. "But usually when change of this scope occurs, it's a sign of bigger opportunities ahead. It just means you have to be willing to look at your world differently. Be open to a new approach. Becoming part of the solution is more inspiring than complaining about the problem."
