Bio

For nearly 30 years, Lori Costew has embodied the Ford purpose in both her personal and professional endeavors: to help build a better world, one where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. As the Chief Diversity Officer, Lori and her team focus on creating and advancing Ford’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy to cultivate a culture of belonging for all employees. She believes belonging is at the intersection of diversity, inclusion, and equity, and focuses on a holistic DEI approach that includes customer, employee, philanthropy, dealer, and supplier diversity, as well as ESG. Previously, Lori held several positions within Ford, leading Human Resources for the organization’s mobility division and The Lincoln Motor Company, supporting Marketing, UAW negotiations, equal employment planning, and organizational development. She has also led global employee and dealer DEI audits focused on deep listening and both qualitative and quantitative data. Lori’s expertise is widely recognized, and she is a regular speaker at organizations such as Female Quotient, i4CP, Qualtrics, MBA programs, American Manufacturing, SHPE, and Automotive News. Lori is also the author or two award-winning novels that provide tools and inspiration to combat bullying among children. Her first book is “Sherpa’s Adventure: Saving the Future” and the sequel “Sherpa’s Adventure: Destroying the Hologram.” Born a Buckeye, she lives in Northville, Michigan with her husband and two children.