From Unexpected Beginnings to Chief Procurement Officer: A Leadership Journey at PowerCo

Inspirational Role Model Feature | Women Automotive Network

At the Women Automotive Network, we’re proud to spotlight women driving change, innovation, and inclusion across the industry. Our Inspirational Role Model series celebrates professionals whose journeys inspire others to grow, lead, and make an impact proving that every path into automotive is unique, and every story matters.

In this edition, we feature Meredith Gibbons, Chief Procurement Officer at PowerCo Canada whose global experience spans procurement, strategy, innovation, and culture building within the Volkswagen Group and the broader mobility ecosystem.

Above: Meredith Gibbons, Chief Procurement Officer at PowerCo Canada 

Can you tell us a little about you, your background and how you got started in the automotive industry?

My journey into the automotive world was unexpected, but it started with something that has always been part of who I am: finding value. Among my friends I was known as the one who could track down a coupon or negotiate a deal without hesitation. That skill and love for a good bargain caught the attention of a friend working in procurement at Volkswagen’s new Chattanooga factory. He told me I would be a natural and encouraged me to apply.

At the time I thought it would be a short-term experiment while I explored other interests. Instead, it became a turning point. Nearly 15 years later I am still energized by the complexity of global supply chains, the interconnected systems, and the fast-paced decision-making that defines this industry.

What is your current role, and what are your primary responsibilities within your organisation?

I’m the Chief Procurement Officer at PowerCo Canada, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. This role has been an incredible opportunity to build our procurement function, supply chain, and team from the ground up.

As one of the company’s first hires and a Board of Management member, I’ve helped shape not only a team but a culture and a growing industry presence in North America. It’s been challenging, rewarding, and one of the most defining chapters of my career

Above: PowerCo state-of-the-art production facility based in St. Thomas, Canada. 

What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership positions in the automotive industry?

Be clear about why you want to lead. Leadership is rewarding but demanding, especially in a male-dominated industry. You will stand out, and that visibility can be a powerful advantage if you embrace it and use it to amplify your impact.

Know your purpose, trust your expertise, and recognize the unique value you bring. Those truths will anchor you through every challenge. And remember: delivering results is only half the equation. The other half is championing your work, advocating for yourself and your team so the impact you make is seen and understood.

How do you support and empower other women in your organisation to achieve their career goals?

I try to lead with honesty. I believe people make the best decisions for themselves when they have full transparency—when they’re given all the information, context, and hard truths needed to choose their path with confidence. My hope is that any woman, and really anyone, feels they can come to me for an open, authentic conversation about their career—the challenges, the tough choices, and the moments that don’t have easy answers.

I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible, driven mentees and employees, and it’s been one of the greatest privileges of my career to coach them, champion them, and watch them grow. My goal is always for them to surpass me, to outshine what I have done and reach heights I have not.

Ultimately, I want to help build a wide, interconnected network of talented, influential women across the industry, and to know that I played even a small role in their journey toward success.

Above: PowerCo team at the 2025 European Summit as an event sponsor. 

Can you share an example of how diversity has sparked creativity and innovation in your company?

This is a topic that deserves more attention. Diversity naturally fuels creativity and innovation, because true innovation comes from blending different backgrounds, lived experiences, areas of expertise, geographies, and interests.

When I worked in Silicon Valley and built the Innovation HUB, our team was both highly diverse and exceptionally talented. They uncovered countless new ways for an established industry like automotive to collaborate with the fast-moving tech startup world. And many of those breakthroughs began with all of us sitting in a room, openly disagreeing about how to solve a problem.

The key is that diversity of people, perspectives, and thought must be genuinely valued. It needs space, trust, and support to thrive. When that happens, innovation follows naturally.

How do you challenge outdated mindsets and systemic biases within the industry?

The most fundamental step in challenging outdated mindsets and biases is simply to be in the room. You cannot influence the conversation or the systems and cultures shaped by it if you’re not within earshot of the people making critical decisions. Presence matters. It’s the gateway to impact.

I also ground my approach in a basic truth of human nature: people respond to what feels relevant and beneficial to them. When I push for change, I frame challenges in ways my audience can understand and feel invested in. That approach has allowed me to create more sustainable, long-lasting impact that goes beyond confrontation.

My focus is on meaningful results and the positive effects those results have on others. I know who I am, what I stand for, and what I care about, and that clarity drives everything I do.

How do you unwind after a busy day?

For me, unwinding starts with movement. Exercise helps me reset, and yoga in particular has become my go-to. It’s grounding, clears my head, and gives me a healthy way to manage stress after a busy day.

What new skill are you currently learning or want to learn?

Recently, I’ve taken up dancing, specifically an improv-based partner dance. It’s incredibly challenging to think on your feet (quite literally) while also communicating with your partner to stay in sync with each other and the music. It has also been humbling to be an adult learner in such a skill-based art form.

What surprised me is how much this practice applies to my career. In work, just like in dance, we’re constantly collaborating with others, reacting to the unexpected, trying to stay aligned with the rhythm of our corporate goals—all while being visible and, at times, judged. Dancing has helped me continue developing adaptability, collaboration, and comfort in the inevitable spotlight.

What’s your personal career motto?

Why not?

Thank you to Meredith Gibbons for sharing your insights, experiences, and leadership as part of our Inspiring Role Model series.

We’d also like to thank PowerCo, proud sponsor of the 2025 Women Automotive Summit Europe, for their commitment to supporting conversations and connections that shape the future of mobility.

The Women Automotive Network connects over 50,000 professionals across the global mobility ecosystem, through summits, mentorship, insights, and partnerships that drive real progress.