Rhonda Gilyard, Vice President of administration at Mazda Toyota manufacturing, has been inducted into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. Her two-decade-long leadership has advanced women’s roles in automotive production.
In a ceremony held in Boston on 6 October 2024, Rhonda Gilyard, Vice President of administration at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, was inducted into the Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Hall of Fame. Gilyard’s contribution to the industry spans over two decades, during which she has paved the way for more women to enter, succeed and lead within the manufacturing sector.
Gilyard’s professional journey with Toyota began in 2000 at the company’s Long Beach, California plant, TABC, where she worked as a quality engineer. Her career quickly accelerated with several key promotions, including assignments in Tijuana, Mexico, and Toyota’s headquarters in Plano, Texas.
Since 2023, Gilyard has been responsible for overseeing a wide range of operations at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Alabama—a joint venture between Toyota and Mazda—where she leads nearly 4,000 team members.
At the induction, Gilyard expressed her heartfelt gratitude, stating: “I am humbled and grateful to be selected as an inductee in the WiM Hall of Fame. To be honoured with such awe-inspiring women and considered among the ranks of previous inductees is more than I could have ever dreamed or expected.”
Her words echoed a deep sense of pride and recognition for a career built on resilience and leadership.
The WiM Hall of Fame, established in 2019, celebrates women who have made notable contributions to the industry while inspiring and promoting the next generation of female leaders.
Allison Grealis, president and founder of WiM, underscored the importance of such role models: “These remarkable women have set new standards for future generations of manufacturing careers. We look forward to honouring these leaders and celebrating their commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces in the industry.”
Gilyard’s recognition is a testament to her enduring influence in the field. Her leadership has been instrumental in Toyota’s efforts to maintain a culture of teamwork, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. As Gilyard noted: “Success is measured by working together, problem solving as a team, respect for people and continuous improvement – the cornerstones of Toyota. I hope to share my expertise and these values to empower other women.”
Her achievements join those of a growing number of women from Toyota who have also been recognised by the WiM Hall of Fame. These include Janette Hostettler, Vice President of manufacturing at Toyota Kentucky, inducted in 2023; Leah Curry, former president of Toyota Indiana, honoured in 2022; Susan Elkington, senior Vice President of electric vehicle supply at Toyota North America, inducted in 2019; and Millie Marshall, former president of Toyota Indiana, honoured in 2021.
Gilyard’s career trajectory highlights the potential for women to ascend to influential positions within a traditionally male-led industry. Her leadership at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing encompasses critical areas such as safety, environmental management, finance, human resources, and production control, positioning her as a key figure in the company’s success.
The recognition of Gilyard and others like her signals an important shift in the manufacturing world, where diversity and inclusion are increasingly seen as essential to fostering innovation and long-term growth. Her induction into the WiM Hall of Fame reinforces her role as both a trailblazer and mentor, inspiring women across industries to pursue leadership roles and embrace the values of collaboration and continuous improvement.
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