Ms. Françoise Colpron is President of Valeo’s North American region, responsible for the company’s overall business health and success in the United States, Mexico and Canada. She leads the Shared Services organization, which includes the Human Resources, Finance, Legal, Sales, Purchasing, Quality and Supply Chain functions and represents the Group on customer, public affairs and industry issues.

In her current role, Ms. Colpron restructured Valeo’s North American leadership team and launched the region’s Shared Services organization. She led the regional business through the financial crisis and returned the region to healthy and profitable growth, having now quadrupled the sales and tripled the workforce. Ms. Colpron received the Group sales award in 2013 for the Highest Turnaround in Growth and Profitability. In 2012, Ms. Colpron created Valeo Women Connected, an internal group that organizes events to boost networking and professional development for Valeo women and is the official interface between Valeo and external women's organizations. Now, the region is focused on taking full advantage of the transformation of the industry (electrification, autonomous driving and digital) and promoting Valeo’s innovation to both traditional customers and new players.

Ms. Colpron joined the company in 1998, working in Paris as the legal director for the Climate Control Branch, which is now part of the Thermal Systems (THS) Business Group. She oversaw the $2.1-billion organization’s legal matters in Europe, Asia, North America and South America. In 2005, she was promoted to general counsel for both North and South America. From Valeo’s metro Detroit location, she was responsible for legal affairs in North and South America, which included more than 11,000 employees and 38 locations. Ms. Colpron was appointed to her current position in 2008.

Ms. Colpron began her career as a lawyer at Ogilvy Renault, a firm specializing in business law in Montreal, Canada that is now part of the Norton Rose Group. During her time with the firm, she undertook a 24-month overseas assignment to support a Hong Kong-based company with interests in natural resources, real estate, forestry and construction materials.

Ms. Colpron was inducted into the French Legion of Honor in September 2015.

She is a member of the Board of Directors of Detroit Thermal Systems (DTS), a joint venture with V. Johnson Enterprises. DTS is a leading minority-owned company in the automotive industry and is certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).

She also serves on the Inforum Board of Directors and Chairs its Strategy and Innovation Committee. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) and is a member of the Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).

Ms. Colpron earned a Civil Law degree in 1992 from the University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada, and is a member of both the Quebec and Michigan Bar Associations. She is fluent in French, Spanish and English.

In 2015, Ms. Colpron was recognized by Automotive News as one of the ‘100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry.’ She was first included on this prestigious industry list in 2010, which has been compiled every five years since 2000. She was also recognized by Crain as part of its 2016 Most Influential Women list.