Kristen Tabar

Toyota Motor North America

Group Vice President

Kristen Tabar is group vice president of Vehicle Development and Engineering at Toyota Motor North American Research & Development (TMNA R&D) in York Township, Michigan, responsible for vehicle development design engineering teams for Toyota’s North American operations. In this role, Tabar directs the vehicle development strategy, introducing new technology and systems, working with North American manufacturing centers and local suppliers to deliver vehicles matching customer expectations and Toyota’s high level of quality.

Passionate about women’s leadership, Tabar supports a range of outreach and continuing development initiatives related to STEM education for women. Currently, she serves on Toyota’s Diversity Advisory Board, Social Justice Advocacy Committee, Audit Committee, and Benefits Committee. Tabar earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan She is a member of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and supports working groups for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Vehicle Data Privacy, and Leadership. She has also served as a member of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and as Toyota’s representative to American Center for Mobility.

Tabar is married to husband, Dan for 27 years and has three future engineering daughters: Andrea(23), Danielle(20), and Natalie(17).