Lear Corp., a global supplier of automotive seating and electrical systems, has named Rashida Thomas as its chief diversity officer and director of talent management.

Thomas joins Lear from Focus: Hope, where she was the director of workforce development and education for the past six years and was involved in leading all fiscal, programmatic and operational business for the Focus: Hope workforce. In addition, Thomas was an integral part in Focus: Hope’s mission of building a metropolitan community to help overcome poverty and injustice in the Detroit area.

Thomas also has worked in the automotive sector primarily at Chrysler, initially as an electrical engineer then as a technical planner before moving to the public policy side of the business. She has an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Michigan State University, a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Oakland University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Wayne State University.

In her new role, Thomas will lead the company’s diversity efforts, including continuing to develop Lear’s presence in southeast Michigan as an employer of choice and help increase hiring and retention of diverse talent. Internally, she will work with Lear’s Global Resources & Opportunities for Women and other affinity groups, as well as increase emphasis on campus recruiting to develop a best-in-class workforce for the future.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Rashida’s significant experience join the Lear team,” said Ray Scott, Lear president and CEO. “She brings noteworthy expertise and enthusiasm to our diversity efforts, which is of critical importance to Lear.”