Rising Stars Class of 2021

July 12, 2021 ~ Andrea Trudeau speaks with Guy Gordon about her position as Event Services Director with the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and how she continues to elevate new auto shows and other events. Andrea also talks about her recent appointment as one of the Detroit Economic Club’s 2021 Rising Stars.

July 5, 2021 ~ Sarah Zigila speaks with Guy Gordon about her position as Vice President of Operations & Partnerships for Orbis Holding Group and how she impacts her industry as a professional trainer and human resources expert. Sarah also talks about her recent appointment as one of the Detroit Economic Club’s 2021 Rising Stars.

June 28, 2021 ~ Liz Doerr is a regional food safety specialist for Meijer. She serves as part of the Meijer Food Safety team, contributing the focus on freshness of Meijer products and is responsible for communicating safety lessons and messages as well as building relationships with leaders within Meijer and local regulatory inspectors. Her impact is seen over 45 Meijer and Fresh Thyme retail stores and gas stations, distribution facilities, manufacturing facilities, and other areas throughout the supply chain.

June 21, 2021 ~ Jay Brown speaks with Guy Gordon about his role as chief sales officer for The John L. Group, an organization that offers assistance in financial reporting and business operations to small business, non-profit, commercial, and government entities. He also talks about his recent appointment as one of the Detroit Economic Club’s 2021 Rising Stars.

Lisa Peppel is a global commodity director in the purchasing department for seating supplier Adient. She manages a global team and is responsible for more than $3 billion in annual spend, covering steel and metal commodities. In this role, Lisa leads the team to achieve cost reduction and new sourcing targets; develops contingency plans for suppliers to avoid production disruptions; and resolves open commercial issues.Lisa is a team player who leads by example. She has helped reinforce Adient’s strong relationships with suppliers and customers by developing competitive pricing, quotes, negotiations, and contracting. Additionally, Lisa has done an excellent job of managing her team, suppliers, and customer relations amid the steel shortage.Lisa is an active member of Adient’s Women’s Resource Network (WRN). The WRN’s mission is to facilitate professional development and corporate citizenship, which creates a foundation for engaged employees at Adient. Lisa has served as a mentor to other women, helping them achieve workplace success. She has also participated in several of the organization’s community outreach events, including Adopt an Angel, an event where employees donate toys, clothes, and gift cards to needy families, and the Driving Fore a Cure golf outing that raises money for the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. In addition to her work with the WRN, Lisa is a strong advocate for Adient in the community.Lisa has held several positions at Adient, including commodity scheduler, operational buyer, commodity manager and purchasing manager. Lisa was also part of the company’s leadership development program, where high potential employees participate in rotations through functional groups to gain experience.Lisa earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and a Master, Business Administration degree from Wayne State University.What Adient’s Leadership has to say about Lisa:“Lisa is a pleasure to have on my team. She is an exemplary leader who has guided her team’s development and their ability to execute in the midst of an endless stream of COVID-driven supply crises. By setting challenging objectives and allowing her team the latitude to execute, she has grown their confidence and their capabilities,” said Kelli Carney, senior vice president and chief purchasing officer for Adient.A little bite more about Lisa:When I reflect on a moment that I am proud of, I think of…“Managing through the challenges of the past year. In Purchasing, we have had to manage through a variety of critical supplier issues. Our team has done an excellent job of this, especially considering the remote work constraints.”As I continue to grow, I am hopeful for…“Continuing opportunities that challenge me and strengthen my leadership skills.“During my free time, I …1. “Love spending quality time with my family and friends.“2. “Exercise. Classes at the gym and riding a bike are my favorite stress-relievers.“3. “Gardening. We have a vegetable and a flower garden.“If I could give advice to my 20-year-old self, I would say…“Pursue challenging opportunities. The difficult roles lead to the most growth and development. Additionally, they increase self-confidence which is key to future success in your career.“