• by Tanya Gazdik , December 16, 2021

Subaru of America has appointed the first black woman to its executive team.

Renee Rhem, now vice president of customer advocacy at the automaker,  oversees the Subaru customer experience across all channels, ensuring the Subaru Love Promise is present at all interactions with Subaru customers. 

The customer advocacy department works to maintain customer and brand loyalty and foster positive partnerships with Subaru retailers to resolve customer issues. Effective Nov. 1, Rhem reports directly to Thomas J. Doll, president and chief executive officer, Subaru of America, Inc.

Since joining Subaru in 2020, Rhem has gone “above and beyond” to uphold the Subaru Love Promise Customer Commitment, Doll says.

She previously held positions in operations, sales support, and customer service, including roles at Prudential Financial, Independence Blue Cross and Bank of America.

Women and minorities continue to be underrepresented in the C-Suite, although some progress has been made. According to the 2020 Women in the Workplace study by McKinsey & Co. and LeanIn, in 2015-2020, representation grew to 28% from 23% at the senior vice president level and to 21% from 17% in the C-suite.