“I am excited and honored to lead CAR during such a transformative moment for our industry,” said Krear. “CAR’s work is essential in helping stakeholders navigate electrification, automation, sustainability, and policy shifts. I look forward to working with our partners to ensure CAR remains a trusted voice and strategic catalyst for the future of automotive,” said Krear. She brings a career-long focus on automotive innovation, electrification, and strategic planning. She is a home-grown Michigan engineer, executive and industry analyst.

Krear most recently served as Vice President of the Electric Vehicle Practice at J.D. Power, where she led initiatives focused on using data and insights to guide the transition to an electrified mobility ecosystem. Prior to that, she held leadership roles at Stellantis, including Global Planning Program Vice President for Jeep Grand Wagoneer and electrified SUVs/trucks, and Chief Engineer for the Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, and Ram 1500 platforms.

During her more than 25-year automotive career, Krear has worked at the forefront of electrification, autonomous systems, product quality, and product development. She was named one of the Top 100 Women in the North American Auto Industry by Automotive News in 2020.

Krear holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University and an MBA from the Michigan State University Executive MBA Program.

“What I really took away from the program was a global perspective of business,” she said. “Engineering is one element, and you can make a career of it, but it’s just one part of the competitive automotive industry. The MBA helped me to really understand all the elements it takes for a company to be successful. You can have the best engineers and the best technologies, but you also need financial controls, marketing and business planning, quality, and an organizational structure that is efficient. The MBA gives you a whole set of tools to make business decisions to not only delight our customers with innovations and technology but also deliver margin and profitability in a very competitive market,” Krear once said in a profile by the Michigan State University Executive MBA Program.