Rhonda Gilyard Inducted into Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame

Rhonda Gilyard, a long-time leader within Toyota North America, has been inducted into the Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Hall of Fame, recognizing her two decades of contributions to the industry.

Gilyard, currently vice president of administration at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Alabama, was honored alongside nine other women during a ceremony in Boston on October 6, 2024.

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“I am humbled and grateful to be selected as an inductee in the WiM Hall of Fame,” Gilyard said. “To be honored with such awe-inspiring women and considered among the ranks of previous inductees is more than I could have ever dreamed or expected.”

WiM established its Hall of Fame in 2019 to celebrate women who have made significant impacts on manufacturing and paved the way for other women in the industry. “These remarkable women have set new standards for future generations of manufacturing careers,” said WiM president Allison Grealis.

Gilyard began her Toyota career in 2000 as a quality engineer in Long Beach, California, and has since worked in several locations, including Mexico and Texas. In 2023, she took on her current role at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, overseeing a wide range of operational areas and supporting nearly 4,000 team members.

Her career reflects Toyota’s core values of teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement, values she hopes to pass on to the next generation of women in manufacturing.

Gilyard joins a distinguished group of Toyota leaders in the WiM Hall of Fame, including Janette Hostettler, Leah Curry, Susan Elkington, and Millie Marshall, all recognized for their roles in advancing diversity and leadership within the industry.

Toyota continues to be a key player in the U.S. manufacturing landscape, employing more than 49,000 people across the country and producing over 34 million vehicles at its nine U.S. plants.

Source: Toyota’s Rhonda Gilyard Inducted into the 2024 Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame