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Inforum MobilityNext | 19TH Automotive Breakfast

Industry leaders gathered in Detroit during the 19th Automotive Breakfast to discuss mobility's role in reshaping the automotive industry's future. Hosted by Inforum's MobilityNEXT, this event encouraged dialogue about the evolving landscape, gender inclusivity, and innovation in mobility solutions. Key speakers like Justine Johnson from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Kristen Tabar from Toyota highlighted the industry's shift towards an inclusive and mobility-centric approach.

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By Grant Harrell · · Are We There Yet PodcastBrandy GoolsbyGrant HarrellInforum Mobilitynext Initiative
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Inforum MobilityNext | 19TH Automotive Breakfast

Key takeaways

01

The automotive industry is transitioning from traditional vehicles to broader mobility solutions.

02

The 19th Automotive Breakfast focused on innovation and gender inclusivity in the automotive sector.

03

Industry leaders, including those from Bosch, GM, and Toyota, discussed future mobility trends.

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The automotive industry is at the cusp of a revolutionary transformation, transitioning from the traditional automotive industry to a more extensive idea of mobility. This shift brings an air of exhilaration and anticipation, especially as witnessed within the recent 19th Automotive Breakfast in downtown Detroit, Michigan, a part of Inforum's MobilityNEXT industry group's exciting event series.

This MobilityNEXT 19th Automotive Breakfast provided an engaging platform for industry leaders, young professionals, and aspiring entrants into the mobility sector to share insights, experiences, and expectations for the evolving landscape of the automotive industry. Among the speakers was Michigan Economic Development Corporation Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson, who moderated an incredible panel discussion with industry leaders like Bosch, Continental, GM, and Toyota, discussing the future of mobility. Kristen Tabar from Toyota expressed her enthusiasm about the transformation of the industry and the opportunities it holds for those wishing to join this dynamic sector. The 19th Automotive Breakfast served as a microcosm of the larger conversation happening within the mobility space, offering a glimpse into the enthusiasm and commitment of various stakeholders towards not just advancing the industry but also addressing the gender disparity that has long been a concern.

So, what role does gender inclusivity play in this evolution, especially in a traditionally male-dominated sphere?

Are We There Yet? Host Grant Harrell ventures deeper into these discussions, segueing into a captivating conversation with Brandy Goolsby and Kara Grasso, Inforum MobilityNEXT Executive Committee members, and Executives within industry-leading companies Wind River and 360ofme, respectively.

The conversation with Brandy and Kara provides a closer look at the efforts to bridge the gender gap while exploring the broader narrative of the industry's transition from traditional automotive frameworks to a more inclusive and innovative mobility-centric approach.

Harrell, Goolsby, and Grasso discuss several topics including:

  • The gender gap within the automotive industry, its implications, and efforts by Inforum MobilityNEXT to bridge this gap by, for example, inspiring young women to venture into automotive/mobility careers
  • The 19th Automotive Breakfast event as a significant platform for discussions around the transition from automotive to mobility, featuring insights from industry-leading companies
  • Insights on how the state of Michigan is leading the way in this industry transformation and the role of data, innovation, and connectivity in powering this shift toward a more inclusive and technologically driven mobility industry

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About the author

GH
Grant HarrellHead of Transportation/Mobility & Host of "Are We There Yet?" video podcast series

Asking the most exciting, innovative, cutting-edge companies in transportation/mobility the “Are We There Yet?” question is a lot of fun, and the focus of Grant Harrell's top video podcast series! And, it’s not a bad question as so much is truly happening in this space today. What used to be trains, planes, and automobiles is now robots, drones, and spaceships, and Grant is curious about how soon we are all going to see these technologies in action, at scale. Very few of us enjoy a car that drives itself, have dinner delivered via drone, or have taken a vacation to space, but these amazing technologies and applications, as Grant discovers within his "Are We There Yet?" podcast series, are here, or as he likes to say, "we're there"! Grant also serves as the Head of Transportation/Mobility for MarketScale, one of the fastest-growing, most-successful, fun b2b media companies in the industry! MarketScale works behind the scenes for many of the top brands today, building their brand, engaging their communities, and telling their incredible stories! Within Grant's leadership of MarketScale's Transportation/Mobility division, he enjoys working with top companies within automotive to aviation, micro-mobility to marine, drones to space exploration, and everyone in between. And, Grant encourages you to reach out to him directly and set up a meeting, because as he says, "whats the point of all of this transportation/mobility technology development if we aren't headed somewhere fun to meet someone interesting"!

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About the Experts

GH
Grant Harrell

Host, Are We There Yet? Podcast

Grant Harrell is the host of the 'Are We There Yet?' podcast. He engages industry leaders in conversations about trends and transformations within the automotive and mobility sectors. His work explores the shift from traditional automotive frameworks to innovative mobility solutions.

JJ
Justine Johnson

Chief Mobility Officer

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

KT
Kristen Tabar

Toyota

BG
Brandy Goolsby

Executive

Wind River

KG
Kara Grasso

Executive

360ofme

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