NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Bridgestone Americas Inc. veteran Christine Karbowiak will retire at the end of the year from her roles as executive vice president, executive officer, G-chief sustainability officer and member of the global executive committee of Bridgestone Corp., and executive vice president, chief administrative officer and member of the executive committee of Bridgestone Americas.
Karbowiak joined Bridgestone in 1992 as senior counsel for Bridgestone Retail Operations and advanced into multiple leadership positions of increased responsibility and visibility.
She was named chief administrative officer and executive vice president for Bridgestone Americas in 2010, and chief risk officer the following year, with oversight of the communications; government affairs; environment; health and safety; security; and sustainability departments.
First elected a vice president and officer of Bridgestone Corp. in 2011, she was named to that company's global executive committee in 2014 and most recently was elected executive vice president and executive officer in 2019. She also serves on boards of directors of Bridgestone Americas (as vice chair) and Bridgestone China Asia Pacific.
"Chris leaves an indelible mark on our company, past, present and future," said Paolo Ferrari, executive vice president and executive officer of Bridgestone Corp. and member of the board, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas.
"To Bridgestone Americas, she is an icon, and her reputation as a fearless and forward-looking leader will be her legacy. I speak for all Bridgestone employees when I say that she will truly be missed."
Karbowiak played key roles in many facets of the Bridgestone business, including leading site selection and development efforts for Bridgestone Tower in downtown Nashville, the company said. She also helped secure sport partnerships on behalf of global Bridgestone, including the World Golf Championship's Bridgestone Invitational, Bridgestone Senior Players Championship, and Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic partnerships.
She also led the development, launch and implementation of Bridgestone's Global Sustainable Procurement Policy, and in 2019, became the company's first global chief sustainability officer.
She currently represents Bridgestone on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Tire Industry Project, roles that she will continue through 2021.
