Michelle Gardner was named General Motors Vice President of Global Hardware Components and Subsystems in June 2021. In this role, she leads global chassis and active thermal management, electrical components, interior and thermal cabin comfort, engine and transmission hardware, body and accessory engineering, design and specs, advance vehicle and powertrain development and other engineering business initiatives. She reports to Doug Parks, Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain.

In May 2018, Gardner was named Executive Director of Interior and Thermal Cabin Comfort Engineering where she globally led the design, development and performance for all components and subsystems of the interior cabin.   

Gardner began her GM career in September 1988.  She held various engineering positions in validation, interiors, and design.  From early on, Gardner excelled through engineering positions of increasing responsibility at Cadillac Luxury Car, Truck, and Mid-Size Car Divisions and beyond.

In July 2001, she was promoted to Director, Designing Engineer.  In September 2002, Gardner was named Director, Exterior Engineering.  In April 2006 she was named Director, Interior Overhead, Garnish and Floor Trim.  In June 2011, Gardner was named Director, Global Virtual Design Process Operations.  In October 2013, she was named Director, Global Engineering Systems Development and PLM.  In March 2014, Gardner was named Executive Director, Global Engineering Operations and Systems Development.

Gardner graduated from the University of Michigan in 1988 with a mechanical engineering degree and was selected for the General Motor’s Fellowship Program where she earned her Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University in 1992.  

Gardner the CEO and President of GM Global Technology Operations, LLC.  She represents GM on the board of PATAC (Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center).  Gardner is GM’s key executive for Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  She is the GM Women GPD & GPSC Supergroup Chair Executive Champion.