Dianne Craig, President & CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada
Roundtable Luncheon - Ford: Going Further
Dianne Craig is president and CEO of Ford Motor Company Canada, Limited, appointed to the position in November 2011. She leads Ford of Canada's operations across the country, including a national headquarters, three regional offices, two branch offices, three vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing plants and two parts distribution centres.
Ford employs approximately 7,000 people in Canada, while an additional 18,000 people are employed in the more than 400 Ford and Ford-Lincoln dealerships across the country.
“It has been an honour to lead the Ford of Canada team as it celebrates five consecutive years of sales leadership,” said Craig. “It’s an exciting time for the company, as the Ford F-Series was named Canada’s best-selling vehicle for the past five years, and best-selling pickup for 49 years straight.”
In 2013, a C$700 million investment at Oakville Assembly, in Oakville, Ont., allowed Ford to expand its manufacturing capability, create 1,400 new jobs for Canadians and keep pace with surging global demand. Two years later, Craig was instrumental in launching the all-new Ford Edge at the Oakville plant, now built for more than 100 markets across the globe.
“Innovation is important in every part of our business, especially when it comes to the consumer experience,” said Craig. “We’re offering new and exciting training opportunities to educate the Ford of Canada team and the staff at our dealerships to ensure we deliver an exceptional customer experience.”
Craig joined Ford in 1986 in an entry level field position and has held a variety of sales and marketing positions in Dearborn, Mich., including advertising, product marketing, contests, and incentives and field operations. She has extensive field experience including her assignment as the regional sales manager in the Pittsburgh Regional Sales Office in addition to other field assignments in the Detroit, Memphis and Atlanta regional offices.
Between 2005 and 2009, Craig was responsible for Ford and Lincoln Mercury U.S. dealer relations. In this capacity, she led the National Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealer Council process and other related dealer activities including National Dealer Meetings.
Before moving to Canada, Craig was the general manager for the southeast market area in the United States, a position she assumed in March 2009. In this role, Craig was responsible for all marketing, sales and service operations for 520 Ford and Ford-Lincoln dealers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
From a personal point of view, Craig is most proud of her family. She has been married for 20 years and has a 16-year-old daughter.
"My daughter is a constant reminder of how precious life is and she gives me a strong purpose - to be the best I can be every day," said Craig. "I strive to be a great role model for her."
Craig graduated from the State University of New York and holds an MBA from Ohio State. Outside of work she loves to garden, exercise and spend time with her family. Craig also enjoys skiing and occasionally golfing.
"I truly believe there is something very special about working at Ford – and a big part of what makes Ford special is our great team and our terrific dealer network," said Craig.
to