Here’s to the women who are empowering, inspiring, and leading others!
This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating our Women of BMW! Each nominee exemplifies the pillars of movement and BMW and serves as an inspiration for the BMW family. Throughout the series, we will hear the stories and advice from women leaders who have broken stereotypes and shattered glass ceilings. We created the #WomenofBMW series to highlight the progress of women in their roles throughout the automotive industry while motivating change going forward.
Name: Kenya Rosemond Ford
Division: IT
Location: South Carolina
Q: In a few words, describe your role at BMW?
A: I lead IT integration within Plant Spartanburg which ensures IT is proactively looking at innovative ways and efficiencies to improve business processes.
Q: Your colleagues have described you as a dynamic leader that not only leads in your position but in your local community. What skills do you think are most important in keeping balance?
A: Prioritization is the key to being able to balance family, community and career. Multitasking is also a key skill when managing multiple projects and staying flexible has been critical to the success of many projects. Learning to delegate tasks has allowed me to guide people in order to use their full potential. Working in the community has also given me an additional perspective in managing the human element which drives employee satisfaction while also driving success for BMW.
Q: How would you say you’ve grown professionally in a role that is primarily dominated by men?
A: I have worked in different facets within IT and on an international assignment. These experiences have afforded me an opportunity to meet men and women mentors from BMW that have influenced my management style and my life. Together these experiences and personal background are reflective of the growth I have experienced throughout my career.
Q: What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in your field?
A: Embrace Science and Technology especially in the fields of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Be open to different perspectives and recognize that there is always more than one way to solve a problem. Find a mentor. Live the BMW core values. Collaborate and build your network.
Q: What inspires you in the workplace and why?
A: I am inspired by coaching people to success and seeing them develop creative IT solutions and watching the fruits of their labor drive success for BMW. The trust that BMW invested in me throughout my career has driven me to pass it on as I guide teams and projects.