We sat down with the first-annual Women of BMW honorees to find out about their careers, insights and what drives them each day. We invite you to take a moment and learn about these dedicated women and congratulate them with kudos on Twitter with #WomenOfBMW.
NAME: Linda White
POSITION: Senior Manager, Government and External Affairs
LOCATION: Sacramento, CA
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH BMW? 8 Years
Q: DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE AT BMW:
A: I engage in policy issues in California, Oregon & Washington State.
Q: WHAT PATH LED YOU TO BMW?
A: I worked at the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers prior to working at BMW. The experience gained while at the Alliance prepared me for my current role at BMW.
Q: DESCRIBE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER AND HOW IT SHAPED YOUR PATH.
A: Stepping into a meeting and realizing I was the only woman and the only person of color. I knew then that I had to construct a pathway for more women and particularly women of color to have a seat at the table. I became a mentor in my community to demonstrate to girls that you can do what I do. I now serve on several boards and I’m actively engaged in my community to be that catalyst for girls.
Q: WHO IS A FEMALE ROLE MODEL TO YOU AND WHAT DO YOU ADMIRE ABOUT HER?
A: Oprah Winfrey. She’s a remarkable business woman!
Q: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER WOMEN INTERESTED IN YOUR FIELD?
A: Be prepared. Do your research and know your stuff. You don’t have to know everything but know enough to have a meaningful dialogue with internal and external stakeholders. Be credible.