European Operations Head
Barbara Frenkel,
57
Europe Region Vice President, Porsche
TITLE: Europe Region Vice President
COMPANY: Porsche
BASED: Zuffenhausen, Germany
AGE: 57
NATIONALITY: German
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Frenkel has been with Porsche for nearly two decades, joining the automaker in 2001 as director of quality systems and methods. She has also served as head of global dealer qualification and vice president of sales network management and development. She started her current post in 2017. Before joining Porsche, Frenkel worked at the suppliers Helsa Werke, Valeo and TRW Automotive. She studied chemistry and rubber technology in Bayreuth and Hanover, Germany.
REASON FOR WINNING
Under Frenkel's guidance Porsche has been strongly outperforming the European market. Through nine months, Porsche's sales in Europe were down 9 percent to 55,483 vehicles in a market that slipped 29 percent to 8.6 million, according to industry association ACEA. The company has not only survived but also thrived in a period of intense change. After developing a successful line of sporty SUVs led by the Cayenne, Porsche has plunged headfirst into electrification with the dynamic Taycan. The Cayenne and the Taycan are the catalysts behind Porsche's market-beating performance.