Steve Carlisle, President and Managing Director, General Motors of Canada, will visit campus on Nov. 11 as part of the Principal’s Forum distinguished lecture series. Mr. Carlisle will deliver a presentation on the importance of innovation in the auto industry, as well as future challenges and opportunities for the next generation of auto engineers.

“Innovations and creative solutions will be key to success for the next generation of business and technology leaders,” says Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research). “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Carlisle to Queen’s to share with our community his wealth of experience in the rapidly changing automotive industry. It is my hope that our students, faculty, and members of the greater Kingston community will leave this lecture with a more thorough understanding of the power of collaboration and innovation in driving the future of the automobile, transportation, and technologies that cut across sectors.”

Mr. Carlisle first joined GM as a co-op student in 1982 at the Oshawa truck assembly plant. Rising through the ranks over the past 30 years, he has witnessed first-hand the changes and challenges faced by the North American auto industry and the need for manufacturers to innovate. Beginning his career in advanced manufacturing engineering, he has also served in roles relating to materials management, product simplification, and advanced product engineering. Mr. Carlisle has held a number of senior leadership positions at General Motors, which have taken him around the globe and given him a unique perspective on the industry.

Aside from his role at General Motors, Mr. Carlisle remains active in the business and academic communities. He serves on the Ontario Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity; the University of Waterloo Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council, and is Chair of the Advanced Technology Committee of Canadian Automotive Partnership Council. From 2014 to 2016, he served as a member of Business Leaders of Michigan, and has been a member of the Board of Governors for the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand.

Mr. Carlisle’s public talk will take place in the atrium of Beamish-Munro Hall from 12:30- 1:30 pm on Nov. 11. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

Established in 2012, the Principal’s Forum is a public lecture series that takes place on Queen’s campus. It enables the principal to invite distinguished visitors to campus to speak on issues of interest to the Queen’s community. Past speakers include The Rt. Hon. David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, The Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, technology entrepreneur Sir Terry Matthews, and Lt.-Col. Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency.