Meet Four Women Leading GM’s All-Electric Future

Four women engineers at GM are leading the future of electric vehicles, driving innovation in Chevrolet’s all-electric lineup and inspiring the next generation in STEAM.

At General Motors, four talented women are leading the charge in electric vehicle engineering, shaping the future of Chevrolet’s all-electric lineup.

These chief engineers exemplify the impact of women in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), bringing innovation and expertise to the next generation of EVs.

Marisa Cullens – Blazer EV

With a legacy of engineering in her family, Michigan native Marisa Cullens followed in her grandfather’s footsteps at GM, earning degrees in engineering and business before taking on diverse roles in body engineering, safety, and global vehicle launches.

Now, as chief engineer for the Chevy Blazer EV, she continues to push the boundaries of electrification and design.

Kristin Cermak – Equinox EV

From interning at GM to leading major vehicle programs, Kristin Cermak has had a hand in some of Chevrolet’s most iconic models, including the Volt, Silverado, and Corvette C8.

With experience in manufacturing, product engineering, and EV propulsion, she now serves as chief engineer for the Chevy Equinox EV, ensuring customers get cutting-edge technology in an accessible electric SUV.

Joan Petit – Chevy BrightDrop 400 and 600

An engineer with a passion for consumer products, Joan Petit has worked in transmission engineering, program development, and quality management at GM.

After contributing to the all-electric Cadillac LYRIQ, she now leads the development of the Chevy BrightDrop 400 and 600 electric delivery vans, helping transform commercial fleets with sustainable solutions.

Kathy Gillespie – Silverado EV

A GM veteran with over 30 years of experience, Kathy Gillespie has played a key role in pioneering technologies like adaptive cruise control and high-voltage battery integration.

As chief engineer for the Silverado EV, she helped bring GM’s electric truck vision to life. Recently, she took on an even more exclusive challenge—leading the engineering of the ultra-luxury, hand-built Cadillac CELESTIQ.

These four engineers are not only driving innovation but also inspiring the next generation of women in automotive engineering.

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