How the Women Who Work at Michelin are Making a Difference

Depending on your interests, you may think of Michelin as a leading tire company, or the definitive restaurant rating guide. The French company is both, and so much more. It’s also an employer of choice for many women. Michelin strives to build a workforce that reflects the communities and markets it serves. Michelin believes that a pipeline of diverse talent with unique skills and backgrounds helps drive innovation. Its commitment goes beyond its immediate workforce and focuses on the next generation, building a love of science, technology, engineering and math. It’s been recognized by by Forbes magazine as one of its Top 10 “America’s Best Employers” for 2019 and “America’s Best Employers for Diversity” top 500 list in 2021 and chosen by FORTUNE magazine as one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” in the Motor Vehicle Parts category for 2021. 

Here’s a few of the women who work at Michelin. 

Janet Gray: Industrial Progress Engineer at Michelin’s manufacturing site in Lexington, S.C.

Janet created G.E.A.R -- Girl Engineers Are Remarkable. Working with a team of 13 female engineers, Janet and others mentor 4th and 5th grade female students at a local Title I elementary school. The six-week mentorship program introduces these students to women engineers in history and careers available in a variety of fields including Industrial, Civil, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. The initiative includes hands-on activities and a tour of a Michelin manufacturing site.

“Women are underrepresented in the fields of math and science. The women who volunteer for this initiative share the same passion – to have an impact on the next generation," says Janet. "It is exciting to see the smiles on these students’ faces when we come into the classroom; they are ready and excited to learn. Girls are smart and engineering is fun— we want to not only teach them that but show them through our engagement in their learning and development.”      

In addition to G.E.A.R., Janet is involved in Michelin Challenge Education, Michelin’s signature education program that launched in 2009 where hundreds of Michelin employees volunteer weekly at local elementary schools. Janet also serves on one of Michelin’s Diversity and Inclusion Councils and volunteers with local chapters of the March of Dimes and United Way.

Iva Liou: Territory Business Manager based in Houston, T.X.

Iva joined Michelin in 2014 after nearly nine years of service in the United States Army. She has moved from an industrial engineer at Michelin’s rubber mixing facility in Starr, S.C. to a payroll systems admin and business intelligence (BI) report writer to her current role as territory business manager based in Houston, T.X.

“With each career move, my manager and team have supported and championed the transition. I am proud of my contributions to Michelin and thankful for a workplace that values career growth and development,” says Iva.

Michelin values service because it recognizes the commitment, discipline, perseverance and courage it takes to serve. Michelin continues to increase its outreach to veteran hiring networks and offers a Veterans Business Resource Group to develop and mentor employees on recruitment, retention and reintegration.    

Danielle: Zone Business Development Manager based in the Western United States.    

Danielle will celebrate ten years with Michelin this year. She started as a Territory Manager working in the Chicago area, and was quickly promoted to a Key Account Manager, Sales Training and Development Manager and National Retail Channel Specialist. She recently took on a new role as Zone Business Development Manager based in the Western United States.

Her celebrated career is accented by a passion project that she founded in 2013 called The Red Road Project. As a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota, Danielle wanted to document, through words and photographs, the inspiring and resilient stories of Native America, capturing people doing positive things to help their communities prosper.        

At Michelin, she actively participates in Michelin’s Women’s Network and is an ally of the LGBTQ Business Resource Group. She also is working to increase understanding of her culture and help recruit Native American people to work for Michelin.                    

Outside Michelin, Danielle serves her community in an appointed position as a Commissioner for the Denver American Indian Commission. In this role, she advocates for social and cultural awareness while promoting economic and political equality. Danielle regularly speaks in schools and universities on Indigenous peoples and contemporary Native America. 

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