Beth Rose, Ford's Chief Compliance, Ethics, and Integrity Officer

The Bob Johnston Podcast

Summary

One of the most important roles in the C-suite is ownership of company ethics, culture, and policy. Who better to give us insights than someone who spearheads this role at a company that’s navigated these waters for over 123 years?! Enter Beth Rose, Chief Compliance, Ethics, & Integrity Officer at Ford Motor Company.
Beth and I sit down to discuss the career and personal path – and, importantly, key choices along the way – remember every decision we make is, in fact, a “choice” – that propelled her into the C-suite at Ford. Beth learned the ropes by tackling multiple in-house Legal responsibilities, gradually moving from general litigation to being a corporate law specialist at Ford.

We discuss how compliance and ethics are viewed at Ford which, despite being a large, family-owned enterprise, stands out for its ethical corporate culture. We also cover the complexities of developing and launching compliance policies, administering integrity training, and running Ford’s “speak up” hotline. Further, we hit on technology and regulatory issues that are a constant in the industry, both in the US and globally.

Beth also touches on the importance of clear and effective corporate communication, especially in a multinational environment with a diverse workforce. For example, maintaining consistency in company policy and culture across different geographical regions can pose challenges, particularly in a hybrid work setting and during times of corporate shift like we all are experiencing. As such, Beth emphasizes the necessity of strong internal relationships and effective communication to manage through these challenges. Using data and feedback to measure the success of compliance programs is crucial, moving beyond simplistic metrics that may not capture the full context of an issue.

We wrap up our discussion with Beth’s personal reflections on career development, the value of mentoring, and the significance of vulnerability, all of which lead to growth and provide insights into the human aspects of how you can navigate your own company’s ethics, integrity and compliance program.

Bio
Beth Rose joined Ford Motor Company as an attorney in 1995 after graduating from Wayne State University Law School. Throughout her career with Ford, she has managed various aspects of the Company’s litigation and compliance program.

Beth previously served as Assistant General Counsel with responsibility for the Product Litigation Group, comprised of the Product Litigation, Asbestos, and Discovery teams. In 2019, Beth became Ford’s Chief Compliance, Ethics, and Integrity Officer and Assistant General Counsel, responsible for the Company’s global ethics and compliance program.

In addition to a juris doctorate, Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Beth is also a board member of Vista Maria, a Michigan non-profit that provides residential and support services for girls and young women dealing with trauma.

Beth is a champion for the development of women, particularly within the legal profession. She has experience curating and delivering career development programming within Ford and the broader legal community. In 2016, Beth established the Legal Alliance for Women (LAW) at Ford, creating a forum for members of OGC to work together on leadership, service, and networking initiatives. Beth also led the OGC Diversity Committee for several years, with a focus on developing and fostering a pipeline of diverse talent within the legal profession. She is actively involved in pro bono, community service, and mentoring projects.

Beth is married and has two daughters.