America’s largest automaker General Motors on Wednesday named Indian-American Dhivya Suryadevara its next chief financial officer.
The 39-year-old will take over from current CFO Chuck Stevens on September 1, according to a press statement issued by the company. Suryadevara has been vice-president of corporate finance since July.
“Dhivya’s experience and leadership in several key roles throughout our financial operations positions her well to build on the strong business results we’ve delivered over the last several years,” said Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra.
With Suryadevara’s appointment, GM joins a handful of companies, including Hershey Co and Signet Jewelers, that have women serving as both CEO and CFO. In 2014, Barra became the first woman CEO of a major automobile company.
Barra and Suryadevara are the first women in their respective positions in the auto industry, as no other major global automaker has a female CEO, nor a CEO and CFO who are both female, reported PTI.
Suryadevara earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in commerce from the University of Madras in Chennai, according to Financial Express. After completing a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University, she joined the investment bank UBS and then joined General Motors in 2005.
At GM, Suryadevara has played a major role in the divestiture of the company’s German affiliate Opel, acquisition of self-driving car unit Cruise Automation, investment in app-based ride-sharing service Lyft and SoftBank’s investment in Cruise.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!