ABOUT ALMA LOU
Alma Lou Guajardo-Crossley, recently retired from General Motors (GM) after a 38-year career, is using her expertise to guide the next generation of leaders, particularly young Latinos embarking on their careers. Her core values of education, family, integrity, gratitude, perseverance, and servant leadership continue to shape her endeavors, making her an invaluable figure in corporate America and the Hispanic/Latino community.
Throughout her time with GM, Alma held over a dozen positions, many of them in leadership, where she adeptly guided and mentored emerging talents as they navigated their corporate journey and pursued new roles.
In 2011, she assumed a pivotal role in the GM Global Diversity COE launch, subsequently serving as the Director of Corporate Diversity and the Global ERG Network until her retirement. Alma’s primary mission was to strategically position GM as the preeminent choice for its products and services, aligning with the company’s vision of becoming the epitome of inclusivity worldwide.
Alma tirelessly championed diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering relationships and collaborating with key advocacy groups. Her leadership extended to the GM Global Employee Resource Group (ERG) Network, overseeing more than 50,000 employees in their pursuit of creating a sense of community and belonging at GM while also supporting key business initiatives.
A Michigan native, Alma’s journey with GM began in 1985 as a co-op student at the General Motors Engineering & Management Institute (now Kettering). She earned her undergraduate degree from GMI in 1990 and her MBA from the University of Phoenix in 1997.
Throughout her journey, Alma carved a distinctive niche as she motivated teams, served as a business consultant to dealership operations, and devised and implemented impactful marketing programs on national, regional, and local scales. Her versatility and strategic acumen were instrumental in driving GM’s business forward.
While she pursued excellence at GM, Alma was equally committed to her Hispanic heritage and community, and she was recognized for this on numerous occasions. In 2011, Hispanic Business named her one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics, and in 2012, she received the Latina Trailblazer designation from Latino Justice. The list of accolades continued in 2015 with the Rare Everyday Hero Award from Winning Futures, the Santiago Rodriguez Diversity Award from Great Minds in STEM, and the Adelita Award from Detroit MANA.
In 2018, Alma was named one of the Top 50 Latinas in the State of Michigan by the State of Michigan Latino Commission, and in 2022, she was honored by Alternatives for Girls as a 2022 AFG Role Model. LATINO magazine also recognized her outstanding contributions with a BRAVA Award in 2023.
Alma lives with her longtime partner in Houghton Lake, Michigan.
RECENT TESTIMONIAL
“Alma has been a life changing mentor and friend. Through hands on experiences and collaborative strategies Alma has driven me and many others to reach new heights. The energy Alma brings is contagious and has contributed to my success personally and professionally.”
-Luz Padilla
