Lea Thomas Smith
About Lea Thomas Smith
Lea Thomas Smith serves as the Vice President of Innovation Strategy & Partnerships at THOR Industries, Inc. With extensive experience in design and project management across several global companies, she is recognized for her expertise in market trends and customer insights.
Current Role at Thor Industries
Lea Thomas Smith serves as the Vice President of Innovation Strategy & Partnerships at Thor Industries, Inc. since 2022. In this role, she focuses on developing and implementing innovative strategies that enhance partnerships and drive growth within the organization. Her position is based in Elkhart, Indiana, where she contributes to the company's mission of delivering high-quality recreational vehicles.
Previous Experience at Lear Corporation
Prior to her current role, Lea Thomas Smith held multiple positions at Lear Corporation. She worked as the Head of Design - Craftsmanship from 2015 to 2022, where she was responsible for overseeing design initiatives at the Global Product & Technology Center in Southfield, Michigan. Additionally, she served as the Design & Strategy Director, leading design efforts at the Lear Innovation Center from 2020 to 2022.
Experience at DAIMLER AG and MBtech Group
Lea Thomas Smith has extensive experience with DAIMLER AG and MBtech Group GmbH & Co. KGaA. She worked in various roles from 2009 to 2014, including Division Manager - Head of Project Management Operations and Director of the MBtech DesignCenter in Sindelfingen, Germany. She also served as Senior Regional Director for MBtech North America in Auburn Hills, Michigan, from 2014 to 2015.
Education and Design Background
Lea Thomas Smith studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where she earned a Diplom Designer in Product Design and Communication from 1990 to 1994. She also attended Fachhochschule Rheinland-Pfalz, Abteilung Trier, where she achieved a Dipl. Ing. (FH) in Interior Architecture with a focus on Architecture from 1989 to 1994. Her educational background supports her expertise in design and innovation.
Skills and Expertise
Lea Thomas Smith possesses a unique combination of skills in business, design, and marketing. She is recognized as a trend scout with deep knowledge of global sociodemographics and market developments. Her multilingual presentation skills and multicultural business acumen enable her to effectively engage with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders. She is known for her empowering leadership style and ability to drive positive change.