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Ex-GM Canada President Maureen Kemptson Darkes Inducted Into Canadian Business Hall Of Fame

Maureen Kempston Darkes, GM Canada’s first woman president and general manager, has been inducted into the Canadian Business Hall Of Fame.

GM Canada describes Kempston Darkes, who served as its president and general manager from 1994 to 2001, as a “trailblazer and an advocate for women in leadership.” After climbing the ranks at GM Canada, she was appointed group vice-president and president of GM’s operations in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East in 2002. Now 73, Kempston Darkes continues to serve on the General Motors Advisory Board.

Maureen Kempston Darkes (middle) at the Canadian Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Kempston Darkes’ induction into the Canadian Business Hall Of Fame comes shortly after Marissa West was named managing director of GM Canada in late March. West, formerly GM’s executive chief engineer for global Mid-Size Truck, Medium Duty Truck and Van programs, replaced Scott Bell in the role, who was promoted to vice president of global Chevrolet.

West said Kempston Darkes’ efforts to make the Canadian automotive industry more inclusive, which entailed setting up the GM Canada Women’s Council, are still felt today.

“Maureen Kempston Darkes boldly led the way and changed the landscape of automotive leadership,” West said. “She was the first – but she won’t be the last. Her tenacity paved the way for women across GM to climb as high as they want, and I’m honoured to be sitting in the same position she held in 1994.”

The Canadian Business Hall of Fame inducts individuals on an annual basis who have made significant contributions to Canadian business and have helped inspire the next generation of business leaders. Kempston Darkes joins Samuel McLaughlin in the Business Hall of Fame’s ranks – founder of the McLaughlin Motor Car Company that would eventually evolve into GM Canada.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. Who cares -I want 6.2 supercharged in 2023 GMC AT4 and Denali package

    Reply
    1. Some class … Cry Baby

      Reply
    2. James – YOU must be from the “Me and My Wants only Matter Generation “ sadly ! 🍁

      Reply

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