The award recognises exceptional female leaders who play pivotal roles and make influential decisions within their organisations.
Automotive News has named Lei Qiao, Vice-President of Technology, Mobility at Axalta Coating Systems, as one of the 100 Leading Women in the North-American automotive industry.
Based at Axalta’s Global Innovation Centre in Philadelphia—one of the largest R&D facilities dedicated to coatings in the region—Qiao heads the company’s global technology strategy for its Mobility business unit. Her remit spans the development and implementation of innovative solutions that support Axalta’s growth in the automotive mobility sector worldwide.
Before assuming her current position, Lei Qiao led Axalta’s global Research and Development team and oversaw its regional Mobility technology division in China. She holds a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Pennsylvania and an Executive MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
“From Shanghai to Philadelphia, Lei has been instrumental in advancing innovation across our business. Her ability to merge deep technical expertise with commercial insight has been critical in delivering high-performance solutions tailored to our customers’ evolving needs,” has stated Robert Roop, Senior Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer at Axalta.
The 2025 edition of Automotive News’ 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry is the sixth of its kind and was compiled through a rigorous months-long nomination and selection process. Hundreds of candidates from across the United States, Canada and Mexico were considered. This year’s honourees include professionals from across the spectrum of the automotive landscape, including engineering, design, manufacturing, marketing, finance, and dealership leadership.