BIOGRAPHY: SUSAN M. CISCHKE

Title: Vice President, Environmental and Safety Engineering

Susan M. Cischke

Susan M. Cischke (pron. SIS-key) is vice president, Environmental and Safety Engineering for Ford Motor Company, a position she has held since January 2001.

As Ford's top environmental and safety officer, Cischke is responsible for assuring that Ford Motor Company products meet or exceed all safety and environmental regulations worldwide. She helps shape corporate policy and works with global regulators on issues ranging from carbon dioxide emissions to pedestrian safety. Cischke also leads the Driving Skills for Life program, a partnership between Ford Motor Company and the Governor's State Highway Safety Association that teaches safe driving techniques to teens.

Prior to joining Ford, Cischke was senior vice president of Regulatory Affairs and Passenger Car Operations at DaimlerChrysler. She began her career at Chrysler Corp. in 1976 and held various engineering positions until 1994 when she was named general manager of Scientific Labs and Proving Grounds. In 1996, she was named vice president of Vehicle Certification, Compliance and Safety Affairs.

Cischke serves on the board of the Chicago Climate Exchange and the board of trustees for Oakland University's Alumni Association. She is also serves on the board of the Traffic Improvement Association of Oakland County and is a member of the University of Michigan College of Engineering National Advisory Committee. In 1997, Cischke received the Horace H. Rackham Award for outstanding humanitarian achievements from the Engineering Society of Detroit -- the first woman in the society's 102-year history to win the award. She has been named one of Automotive News 100 Leading Women and named one of Crain's Detroit Business Most Influential Women. She also was awarded the Detroit News Business Women of the Year award.

Cischke is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, the Engineering Society of Detroit and the Women's Economic Club. She also serves on the Women's Economic Club Leadership board and is chair of the Women's Initiative for the United Way of Southeast Michigan.

Born in Detroit, Cischke earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. She also holds master's degrees in mechanical engineering and management from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.