Stellantis is kicking off September with yet another round of executive musical chairs, announcing two critical leadership appointments effective September 1st.
CEO Antonio Filosa is handing over the keys to two notoriously headache-inducing departments: Communications and Public Policy. When navigating global trade friction and selling complex powertrains gets tough, shifting the leadership grid is the corporate equivalent of dropping in a fresh set of spark plugs.
Stepping into the spotlight as the new Head of Communications and joining the Stellantis Top Executive Team is Stephanie Hartgrove. She arrives just in time to spearhead the messaging around the newly launched “FaSTLAne 2030” strategic plan, taking charge of how the automotive giant presents itself to investors, institutions, customers, and employees.
Hartgrove brings over two decades of international experience, most recently serving as Global Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Johnson & Johnson’s MedTech division. Before managing medical device reputations, she held roles at Baker Hughes and GE after cutting her teeth in journalism at CNN and Al Jazeera.
Moving from breaking world news and medical technology to managing corporate spin for a multinational automaker might sound like a trial by fire, but restoring stakeholder trust across a global network will certainly put that battle-tested resume to use.
Meanwhile, Clara Ingen-Housz is shifting gears within the organization to become Head of Public Policy and Regulatory Strategy for International Trade, also reporting directly to Filosa. After spending the last 19 months overseeing group PR and communications, she is now tasked with steering Stellantis through international trade regulations, government relations, and policy negotiations. She will also collaborate with the legal department to build out internal expertise in international trade law.
CEO Antonio Filosa praised both appointments, noting that Hartgrove joins at a pivotal moment as FaSTLAne 2030 rolls out to strengthen brand reputation, while thanking Ingen-Housz for taking on a crucial regulatory portfolio.
Stellantis is clearly betting that polished media management and sharp trade strategy will help it navigate the regulatory red tape ahead.
