Southfield-based Denso Names First Executive Lead of North American Diversity and Inclusion

Denso, a mobility supplier headquartered in Southfield, announced that it has appointed Denise Carlson as the executive lead of the North American diversity and inclusion initiatives.
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Denise Carlson
Denise Carlson // Photo courtesy of Denso

Denso, a mobility supplier headquartered in Southfield, announced that it has appointed Denise Carlson as the executive lead of the North American diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Carlson was one of the first female engineers hired at Denso and has been part of the company for nearly 25 years. She will lead the development and implementation of Denso’s North American diversity and inclusion strategy and collaborate with leaders of every level to promote a more inclusive work environment.

She will continue her role as Denso’s vice president of the North American Production Innovation Center’s Manufacturing Foundation Group as well as Safety, Health, and Environment Group.

Earlier in her career, Carlson spent time overseas at Denso’s global headquarters in Japan, where she focused on talent development and engagementShe earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Michigan State University.

“The creation of this position is a significant and symbolic moment at Denso, and I’m honored to be a part of it,” says Carlson. “We have (diversity and inclusion) efforts underway already, but we are truly committed to progressing in this area. I am looking forward to working closely with our manufacturing facilities across North America to align on what (diversity and inclusion) is, our goals and why it needs to be an integral part of daily operations. My hope is to eventually create a work environment where diversity and inclusion is no longer a topic of discussion because it’s engrained in our mindset and how we do business.”

Carlson serves as a mentor and coach for a FIRST Robotics high school team.

In 2016, Denso established the North American Diversity and Inclusion Council to develop a three-year strategy to create and implement a culture of inclusion that promotes the diversity of all associates.

Denso is a $48.1-billion global mobility supplier that develops vehicle technology and components. It has 220 facilities in 35 countries to produce thermal, powertrain, mobility, electrification, and electronic systems.

In the United States, Denso employs more than 17,000 people across 13 states and 25 sites. Worldwide, it has more than 170,000 employees.