WENDY A. MICHALSKI
Grosse Pointe Shores
Summary
Strategic automotive executive with 25+ years developing and implementing high-impact solutions spanning product creation, organization development, and business transformation. Proven track record building ground-up strategies, driving operational excellence, and delivering measurable business results. Passionate about creating products that inspire passion, loyalty, and pride through customer-centric innovation and cross-functional collaboration.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
VICE PRESIDENT, EV (ELECTRIC VEHICLE) GO TO MARKET
Stellantis
Auburn Hills
03.2025 - Current
- Leading development of strategic planning and execution framework for Electric Vehicle adoption across Stellantis North America, driving strategy aligned with evolving market dynamics and regulatory landscape.
- Leading development of integrated go-to-market strategy synthesizing consumer insights, competitive intelligence, and market analysis to position products for mainstream adoption and achieve cost and commercial performance objectives.
- Facilitating cross-functional alignment across product, marketing, sales, and operations organizations, ensuring coordinated execution of strategic initiatives and organizational readiness for market transition.
- Designing customer engagement strategies targeting multiple buyer segments to enhance competitive positioning, drive product consideration, and accelerate LEV adoption across diverse market demographics.
- Developing AI-enabled analytics framework to generate strategic insights, optimize customer journey mapping, and support data-driven planning for long-term electrification transition.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CHRYSLER BRAND PRODUCT
Stellantis
Auburn Hills
08.2023 - 02.2025
- Led strategic product planning for Chrysler Brand, defining customer needs and business objectives while articulating product vision to executive stakeholders and facilitating cross-functional execution.
- Secured executive approval and funding for next-generation people mover program by developing compelling strategic vision and presenting business case to Brand leadership, resulting in initial resource allocation.
- Identified and quantified vehicle whitespace opportunities through comprehensive market analysis and competitive intelligence, establishing product positioning strategy that aligned with brand objectives and consumer trends.
- Led development of in-vehicle experiences aligned to emerging market trends, translating consumer safety expectations into actionable product strategy and facilitating cross-functional alignment on feature prioritization and roadmap.
DIRECTOR, GLOBAL SYNERGIES
Stellantis
05.2021 - 01.2024
- Charged with leading the creation of a formal structure to support global alignment of synergy measurement and responsible to ensure delivery of €5+ billion in annual steady-state synergies post-merger. Maintained support of the Synergy Office through the end of reporting in January 2024.
- Exceeded merger synergy targets by 3+ years, delivering 100% of €5B+ steady-state objective through strategic opportunity identification, analytical rigor, and hands-on implementation guidance across global business units.
- Built and led Synergy Office function from inception, establishing governance framework, developing measurement methodologies, and creating standardized processes validated by Internal Audit, Compliance, and FP&A.
- Served as primary advisory resource to regional and functional C-suite executives, facilitating strategic decision-making, resolving cross-organizational challenges, and driving accelerated synergy capture through targeted interventions.
VICE PRESIDENT, JEEP PRODUCT PLANNING
Stellantis
12.2022 - 07.2023
- Led product strategy and portfolio planning for Jeep products (Wrangler, Gladiator, Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer), balancing brand heritage with emerging market opportunities and electrification trends.
- Facilitated strategic visioning process for next-generation Wrangler, leading cross-functional team (Product Planning, PDO, Feature Planning) through innovation ideation and securing executive approval for recommended initiatives through Vision Day forum presentation.
- Developed analytical framework to assess LEV-to-ICE cost variations at component level, enabling identification of targeted actions that improved margin parity and supported profitability objectives.
- Drove operational excellence by exceeding complexity reduction targets across all programs through on-site collaborative reviews at WTAP, while simultaneously building organizational capability through strategic talent acquisition and role definition.
DIRECTOR, CUSTOMER RESEARCH & COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE
FCA US LLC
05.2019 - 04.2021
- Led Consumer & Market Insights function, developing data-driven strategies to inform executive decision-making. Managed research portfolio budget and directed team in assessment of emerging automotive technologies and market trends.
- Directed comprehensive market research initiatives including electrified vehicle studies, BEV ride-hailing research, and competitive analysis.
- Managed multi-million dollar research budget, developing prioritization frameworks and securing alternate funding for strategic initiatives.
- Established methodology for whitespace analysis and EV concept research, identifying opportunities for portfolio expansion.
SENIOR MANAGER, ALFA ROMEO & MASERATI PRODUCT PLANNING
FCA US LLC
09.2018 - 05.2019
- Developed strategic product vision and positioning for Alfa Romeo and Maserati portfolios, managing Product Committee approvals and optimizing launch strategies for North American market.
- Secured program approvals for Alfa Romeo Tonale and Maserati MC20 programs.
- Established standardized whitespace assessment framework based on segment analysis, body style, and configuration optimization.
ENGINE STRATEGY & PLANNING MANAGER
FCA US LLC
04.2016 - 09.2018
- Directed portfolio strategy for North America-led gas and diesel engines, collaborating with global engineering teams to analyze market trends, competitive plans, and technology requirements.
- Led engine family evolution strategy, collaborating with Engineering to identify and prioritize development opportunities.
- Developed strategy study framework for senior leadership reviews, facilitating executive decision-making on major technology investments.
CONSUMER & MARKET INSIGHTS RESEARCH MANAGER
FCA US LLC
11.2014 - 04.2016
- Directed product insights research for Jeep portfolio and advanced features, developing methodologies for market shift analysis and cross-market comparability.
- Created quantitative research methodology to identify market shifts, determine root causes, and detail product implications.
- Redesigned Voice of Customer testing methodology, improving cost efficiency and accelerating insight delivery.
PRODUCT PLANNING MANAGER
FCA US LLC
02.2012 - 10.2014
- Developed strategic plans for Ram Heavy Duty pickups and assessed midsize truck opportunities, leveraging market analysis and consumer insights to drive profitable growth.
- Defined next-generation strategy for Ram Heavy Duty through comprehensive market analysis, ethnographic research, and competitive assessment.
- Led cross-functional team to develop brand vision and 5-year business plan, generating market share and profitability gains.
GLOBAL ACCOUNT MANAGER
Raylink SAS (ARaymond Group)
Grenoble
05.2011 - 02.2012
- Developed global business opportunities and customer-focused sales strategies. Negotiated first direct-sourcing agreement with Ford in China, establishing high-level client relationships across four continents.
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR / NEW BUSINESS DIRECTOR
CRH North America, Inc.
Warren
04.2007 - 05.2011
- Led global product/business strategy development and managed $149M OEM-direct business portfolio. Delivered profitability increases exceeding corporate objectives, producing 43% average gross margin improvement.
MULTIPLE ROLES: STRATEGY, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, ENGINEERING, QUALITY
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn
04.1998 - 02.2007
- Progressed through strategic and operational roles including Commodity Planning & Business Strategy, Project Management, Quality Management (Six Sigma Black Belt), and Product Design & Process Leadership.
Education
Master of Science - Engineering Management
University of Detroit Mercy
01.2002
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Kettering University (GMI)
01.1998
Certificate - Business Turnaround Management
University of Detroit Mercy
01.2010
Six Sigma Black Belt Certification (DMAIC) -
Six Sigma Academy
01.2002
Skills
- Strategic planning and market analysis
- Stakeholder alignment
- Engagement and relationship management
- Product strategy and portfolio management
- Consumer insights and competitive intelligence
- Data-driven decision making
- Cross-functional team building
- Leadership in automotive electrification
- Technology transition strategy
- Financial management and operating efficiency
- Change management and implementation
Timeline
VICE PRESIDENT, EV (ELECTRIC VEHICLE) GO TO MARKET
Stellantis
03.2025 - Current
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CHRYSLER BRAND PRODUCT
Stellantis
08.2023 - 02.2025
VICE PRESIDENT, JEEP PRODUCT PLANNING
Stellantis
12.2022 - 07.2023
DIRECTOR, GLOBAL SYNERGIES
Stellantis
05.2021 - 01.2024
DIRECTOR, CUSTOMER RESEARCH & COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE
FCA US LLC
05.2019 - 04.2021
SENIOR MANAGER, ALFA ROMEO & MASERATI PRODUCT PLANNING
FCA US LLC
09.2018 - 05.2019
ENGINE STRATEGY & PLANNING MANAGER
FCA US LLC
04.2016 - 09.2018
CONSUMER & MARKET INSIGHTS RESEARCH MANAGER
FCA US LLC
11.2014 - 04.2016
PRODUCT PLANNING MANAGER
FCA US LLC
02.2012 - 10.2014
GLOBAL ACCOUNT MANAGER
Raylink SAS (ARaymond Group)
05.2011 - 02.2012
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR / NEW BUSINESS DIRECTOR
CRH North America, Inc.
04.2007 - 05.2011
MULTIPLE ROLES: STRATEGY, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, ENGINEERING, QUALITY
Ford Motor Company
04.1998 - 02.2007
Master of Science - Engineering Management
University of Detroit Mercy
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Kettering University (GMI)
Certificate - Business Turnaround Management
University of Detroit Mercy
Six Sigma Black Belt Certification (DMAIC) -
Six Sigma Academy