Rehka Wunnava

Rekha Wunnava is an executive in Information Technology at Ford, currently in the role of IT Director, Industrial Platform. This includes the product driven organization for Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality and Safety & Environmental Sustainability Engineering. In this role, she is helping shape the future of Ford’s core automotive domain through digital transformation.

Prior to this, she was the IT Director for Manufacturing. She played a key role in partnering with Ford’s Advanced Manufacturing group to define the vision and roadmap for Ford’s Factory of Tomorrow, enabled by disruptive technologies.

Previously, she led IT Strategy, Learning and Change Management and was instrumental in defining Ford IT’s strategy to transform into a Product Driven Organization, powered by Culture Transformation.

Rekha has contributed to Ford IT’s growth and transformation during her 19 years with the company (25+ years in the IT industry). Having a strong foundation in software product creation and enterprise data/process architecture, Rekha has effectively combined that with the ability to manage complex and integrated programs to deliver many large-scale global IT programs in finance, manufacturing and product development. She also delivered strategies for Ford’s Global Business Services in India that successfully grew IT capabilities within that region, in a fully integrated global delivery model.

Having lived and worked in India, UK, China and US, she has a unique perspective on global cultures and is the executive champion for Ford IT’s culture transformation. She enjoys combining that with her technical experiences to create winning strategies and a vibrant culture that energizes a multi-generational workforce. She is passionate about empowering women and developing leaders at all levels and is a member of the board of the Women of Ford employee resource group and is an advisory board member of Michigan Council of Women in Technology (MCWT).

Rekha’s recent industry recognitions include the Women of Color Award (2021), contributing author The Road Forward: More Conversations with Top Women in the Automotive Industry – SAE (2021), MCWT 2021 Women of the Year Technology Honorable Mention: Culture Transformation (2021), Automotive News Top 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry (2020).

Rekha studied in India focusing in accounting, finance and computer science. She resides in Michigan with her husband and when not working, they enjoy travelling and spoiling their two golden retrievers.