2025 CADIA Impact Awards

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!

CADIA received many nominations for the 2025 Impact Awards, leaving us with an incredible roster of impactful leaders in the DEI space. We presented Individual and Organization awards in each of the four Impact Award categories.

Our panel of judges selected our 10 winners, while the CADIA team once again selected the winner of the Power of One Award.

An in-person event was held on May 21 to honor the winners of the 2025 Impact Awards. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all who submitted nominations!

Champion for Diverse Talent Award (Individual)

Noah Beauchamp, Project Engineer, Martinrea International (Individual)

As a passionate advocate for equity and opportunity, Noah Beauchamp has made a lasting impact at Martinrea International through his leadership in DEI.

As the co-founder of the Young Professionals (YoPro) ERG, Noah created a platform that supports career development, cross-generational collaboration, and global connection for emerging leaders. His structured, data-driven approach—developing toolkits, rolling out global programs, and refining internship experiences—demonstrates his commitment to building sustainable DEI practices.

Noah also launched a global DEI newsletter that highlights employee stories and cultural observances, building community across borders. Beyond organizational strategy, Noah personally mentors peers and junior colleagues, fostering growth and a deeper understanding of inclusive leadership.

His work has improved the overall culture at Martinrea and positioned the company as an employer of choice among young talent. Noah's tireless advocacy, mentorship, and strategic leadership embody the spirit of the Champion for Diverse Talent award.

Champion for Diverse Talent Award: Noah Beauchamp, Project Engineer, Martinrea International Inc. (Individual)

Champion for Diverse Talent Award (Organization)

BeAdept@Bosch BRG, Robert Bosch Corp. (Organization)

BeAdept@Bosch has become a global force for disability inclusion at Bosch, launching in 2021 and expanding to include chapters in North America, Oceania, and Germany. Founded to support individuals affected by visible and invisible disabilities, BeAdept has influenced global awareness, workplace accommodations, and leadership development across the company.

The BRG hosts Bosch’s Global Disability Conference, now in its third year, drawing associates worldwide to explore topics from neurodiversity to digital accessibility. Their efforts have helped Bosch earn recognition as one of the “Best Places to Work for People with Disabilities” in 2024.

Supported by three executive sponsors and driven by deeply personal stories, BeAdept creates psychologically safe spaces where employees feel seen, heard, and empowered. Their work is shifting corporate culture, shaping policies, and dismantling stigma—all while proving that disability inclusion drives innovation and success.

Champion for Diverse Talent Award: BeAdept@Bosch BRG, Robert Bosch Corp. (Organization)

Systemic Change Award (Individual)

Courtney Carpineti, Global ERG Manager, Schaeffler Group
Courtney Carpineti is a powerhouse of systemic DEI change. As Global Employee Community Manager, she oversees 10 employee resource groups and has built platforms where employees feel heard, valued, and empowered to lead. Under her guidance, these communities have grown into incubators for ideas that have led to measurable policy change across the company.

Courtney led Courageous Conversations, intimate discussions on work-life balance, parenting, and benefits, which directly informed updates to company policies. She also played a pivotal role during the 2024 Vitesco Technologies and Schaeffler integration, guiding the evolution of ERGs into inclusive “communities” that carried over successfully into the new organization.

What sets Courtney apart is her ability to connect people. She brings together executives, associates, and external partners to collaborate toward a shared vision of inclusion. Her leadership is intentional and sustainable—tracking KPIs like participation, membership, and social media impact to ensure lasting outcomes.

She also champions disability inclusion, partnering with Disability:IN and elevating awareness through internal events. Whether mentoring new DEI leads, offering support across time zones, or checking in during off-hours, Courtney leads with empathy, authenticity, and a tireless drive to make workplaces better for everyone.

Systemic Change Award: Courtney Carpineti, Global ERG Manager, Schaeffler Group (Individual)

Systemic Change Award (Organization)

Christine Martin, Electrical Design Engineer, and Haley Penne, Warranty Analytics Advanced Specialist, DENSO

Christine Martin and Haley Penney of DENSO have been recognized with the 2025 CADIA Impact Award for Systemic Change for their leadership in creating more equitable, inclusive environments for women in manufacturing—particularly working mothers.

At DENSO’s Maryville, TN campus, which serves over 5,000 associates, Christine and Haley spearheaded a transformative project to establish consistent, private, and accessible lactation rooms across all five plants. Their efforts included research, campus-wide surveys, stakeholder alignment, and innovative design—resulting in a two-room setup that allows for both privacy and convenience, with milk storage access that does not interrupt mothers while pumping. With two rooms already operational and construction underway on the rest, the project is on track for full completion by summer 2025.

Beyond facilities improvements, both women serve in leadership roles with DENSO’s LE@D (Ladies Excelling @ DENSO) Associate Resource Group. They’ve led a series of STEM-focused outreach programs with organizations such as Girls Inc., the Boys & Girls Club, and the MLK Community Center—introducing local youth to hands-on science activities and encouraging future career paths in STEM.

Christine, an electrical controls engineer, and Haley, a warranty data analyst, continue to lead in technical roles where women are underrepresented. Their dedication to advancing equity while excelling in their careers embodies the very spirit of systemic change—and is now nationally recognized through this well-earned CADIA Impact Award.

Systemic Change Award Christine Martin, Electrical Design Engineer, and Haley Penne, Warranty Analytics Advanced Specialist, DENSO (Group)

Creating Inclusive Cultures Award (Individual)

Cathy French, Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Belonging Lead, Discount Tire

Cathy French has transformed Discount Tire’s culture by weaving inclusivity into every aspect of the associate experience—from corporate headquarters to hundreds of retail locations across the country. She leads with authenticity, courage, and creativity, making DEI real and tangible for team members at every level.

Whether encouraging a teammate to wear Pride colors or challenging a problematic comment in a meeting, Cathy consistently shows up as a bold advocate. She introduces colleagues to CADIA resources, brings others along to DEI events, and is the driving force behind a growing culture of learning and allyship. Cathy also launched a pilot mentorship program that provides personalized support and career development—ensuring team members feel both seen and invested in.

Her thoughtful gestures, such as leaving empowering swag like pins or bracelets on desks, reinforce the company’s culture of creating unexpected, meaningful experiences. Beyond her personal impact, Cathy’s presence resonates deeply in the field. Store managers often report how much they’ve learned from her DEI trainings, even after decades in the business.

Through her mentorship, visibility, and grassroots leadership, Cathy is not only building inclusive culture—she’s modeling what it means to lead with heart and conviction.

Creating Inclusive Cultures Award: Cathy French, Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Belonging Lead, Discount Tire (Individual)

Creating Inclusive Cultures Award (Organization)

Amerit Fleet Solutions – ERG Program
Amerit Fleet Solutions has embraced a transformative approach to inclusion through its Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). What began in 2024 with just two groups—WIN (Women’s Initiative Network) and DE&I—has rapidly grown into four thriving ERGs that uplift underrepresented voices and reshape company culture.

WIN has grown from four members to over 90, advocating for gender-specific safety gear, hosting quarterly learning events, and creating a recognition program for high-performing women. The DE&I ERG has driven measurable change—partnering with recruiting to diversify candidate pipelines, launching inclusive job descriptions, and ensuring interview panels include diverse voices. These efforts have contributed to a 14% increase in diversity hiring.

Amerit’s ERG Committee hosts companywide education sessions, while executive leadership models support—achieving 40% female representation at the executive level in 2024. What sets Amerit apart is the organic, employee-driven nature of these ERGs, and their clear link to the company’s core values of safety, ownership, recognition, and excellence.

By embedding DEI into business strategy, Amerit is leading by example and showing what inclusive leadership looks like in the field.

Amerit Fleet Solutions – ERG Program

Leadership Commitment Award (Individual)

Everton Swearing, Sales Director, Schaeffler Group

Everton Swearing exemplifies inclusive leadership through action. As the founding leader of the R.E.A.C.H. (Resources for Employees of African Culture and Heritage) Employee Community, he’s built a space where colleagues connect, support each other, and celebrate identity and culture. His reach goes beyond race and ethnicity—Everton also supports the PRIDE Employee Community and serves on its global team, showing up as an ally in every sense of the word.

Everton’s leadership is visible in moments big and small. He planned Juneteenth and Black History Month celebrations, including a powerful event with the Detroit Opera House. He’s helped 20 colleagues receive Women of Color STEM awards and served as a judge for the prestigious BEYA Conference, where he was honored in 2023.

His influence extends into business operations as well—bringing DEI into supplier diversity discussions, co-creating customer events, and contributing to sales strategy with inclusion in mind. Whether mentoring peers or elevating new voices, Everton brings compassion, thoughtfulness, and clarity to every interaction.

In a time when representation and action matter more than ever, Everton is not just participating—he’s leading, building systems that last, and bringing others along for the journey.

Leadership Commitment Award: Everton Swearing, Sales Director, Schaeffler Group (Individual)

Leadership Commitment Award (Organization)

Gentex Corporation – Joseph Matthews, VP DEI, and DEI Council
At Gentex, leadership commitment to DEI is more than a statement—it’s a comprehensive, deeply integrated strategy led by Joseph Matthews and the DEI Council. Together, they’ve built a framework where every employee, regardless of role or background, has access to opportunity, support, and community.

Gentex’s DEI efforts are visible and far-reaching: bilingual communications, accessible DEI onboarding, internal job coaching, and robust tuition assistance not only for employees but for their families. Their DEI Council, composed of both hourly and salaried team members across departments, ensures every voice is represented.

In 2024, Gentex strengthened its talent pipeline through university partnerships and launched job fairs at local schools, helping create a more diverse and future-ready workforce. Internally, they’ve seen BRGs expand—including the launch of Emerging Professionals in 2025—and have built meaningful recognition programs like the “Then and Now” series, which celebrates career growth through employee spotlights across all platforms.

Gentex’s success is driven by consistent, measurable action. The DEI Council meets biweekly to track KPIs, and DEI training is embedded into onboarding. Under Joseph Matthews' leadership, the team has cultivated a culture where inclusion is embedded in every facet of the employee experience—from the shop floor to the C-suite.

Leadership Commitment Award: Gentex Corporation – Joseph Matthews, VP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and DEI Council (Organization)

Power of One Award
(Individual)

Marcelo Ganasevici, Director of Sales and Engineering, ICE & Electrification Customers, MAHLE
Marcelo Ganasevici’s leadership has transformed MAHLE’s North America DEI journey from the ground up. In just three years—and starting with zero budget—Marcelo helped establish a thriving DEI Council, secure annual funding, launch four employee resource groups, and create a robust calendar of events that engage employees companywide.

His work led to the addition of a floating holiday to recognize diverse observances, the expansion of recruiting efforts to include HBCUs, and the integration of DEI metrics into leadership performance. These aren’t symbolic changes—they’re structural shifts that reflect Marcelo’s belief that inclusion must be embedded into how business gets done.

Marcelo’s collaborative style—often working late nights, organizing volunteer-led events, and championing mental health and employee development—demonstrates the true spirit of the Power of One award. His efforts, done in close partnership with CADIA, are not only reshaping the employee experience in North America but serving as a model for MAHLE globally.

Through determination, creativity, and a deep belief in people, Marcelo proves just how far one committed individual can move the needle. His leadership has built momentum—and a foundation—for lasting, inclusive change.

Power of One Award: Marcelo Ganasevici, Director of Sales and Engineering, ICE & Electrification Customers, MAHLE (Individual)

Power of One Award (Organization)

Nemak, D&I Champions

Through its globally coordinated but locally empowered D&I Champions Community, Nemak has created a scalable framework for embedding inclusion across every region and function.

Their approach is driven by measurable goals, structured action plans, and a commitment to equity that spans from recruitment and policy to professional development. Signature initiatives include a global maternity and paternity leave policy aligned with ILO standards, efforts to close pay gaps, and procedures to ensure fairness in hiring. Their Female Talent Coaching Program is another standout: a multilingual, virtual, coach-supported experience designed to build confidence, leadership skills, and advancement pathways for high-potential women across the organization.

These efforts are not checkboxes—they are cultural shifts. Nemak’s D&I Champions are appointed from top-performing talent pools, often tied to succession planning, and are expected to spend at least 5% of their performance objectives on inclusion work. With cross-functional collaboration and support from the CEO, these champions drive awareness, reform systems, and build a deeper sense of belonging company-wide.

Nemak has shown that one company—through thoughtful design and courageous leadership—can ignite change that reverberates across continents. Their work embodies the power of one to transform many.

Power of One Award: Nemak, D&I Champions (Organization)

NEW FOR 2025 - ERG Excellence Award

African Ancestry Business Resource Group (AABRG), Adient

Adient’s African Ancestry Business Resource Group (AABRG) is a shining example of how a BRG can drive cultural transformation, elevate voices, and foster career advancement. With a mission to strengthen engagement, professional development, recruitment, and retention of employees of African ancestry, AABRG delivers programming that informs, uplifts, and connects.

Signature events like the Black History Month Speaker Series and Day in the Life Series create meaningful dialogue across the company. In 2024 alone, the Black History Month series reached hundreds of employees with topics ranging from inclusive leadership to breaking stereotypes. Internally, the group supports professional growth, while externally, they amplify impact through long-standing community partnerships.

AABRG’s community engagement includes generous, hands-on support of First Step, Life Remodeled, and Winning Futures. From mentoring students to sponsoring neighborhood revitalization and hosting festive events for families affected by domestic violence, AABRG leads with purpose and heart. Their work has inspired major investments from the Adient Foundation, including a $150,000 sponsorship of Life Remodeled and $30,000 in scholarships through Winning Futures.

The group also helps power Adient’s recruiting efforts by partnering with the Atlanta University Center Consortium and the National Society of Black Engineers to bring diverse talent into the automotive industry.

With strong executive sponsorship, measurable results, and a culture of service, AABRG is creating a legacy of inclusion at Adient and beyond.