From Chrome Plating to Lead Vehicle Systems Engineer
Benetia Davis-Williams has always had a passion for cars. Growing up in Detroit, she knew from an early age that her calling was in the automotive industry. Her first car was a 1972 Cadillac coupe DeVille, and she fondly recalls participating in a co-op with Cadillac during her high school years, working on the chrome plating for bumpers.
“I live and breathe cars. My family loves cars, so I love cars,” says Davis-Williams, the lead vehicle systems engineer for Cadillac.
This early experience sparked her interest in pursuing a career in automotive engineering. After high school, she went on to attend the General Motors Institute, where she honed her skills and expertise in the field.
Climbing the Ranks at Cadillac
Davis-Williams’ journey at Cadillac has been nothing short of remarkable. She started out working on the assembly line, where she collaborated closely with her line supervisor in quality control. Her hard work and dedication soon paid off, and she was promoted to become a test engineer on Cadillacs for General Motors.
“After I graduated from high school, I did a presentation with the people at the co-op to sponsor me to attend GMI, the General Motors Institute. They said yes.”
As her career progressed, Davis-Williams took on increasingly challenging roles, eventually becoming responsible for the exterior parts of Cadillac vehicles, such as headlamps, tail lamps, windshields, and body side moldings. Today, she proudly holds the position of lead vehicle systems engineer, overseeing the body structure and exterior components of the company’s latest project, the Cadillac OPTIQ.
Breaking Barriers and Inspiring the Next Generation
Being a Black woman in a male-dominated industry like automotive engineering presents its own set of challenges, but Davis-Williams has met them head-on with confidence and leadership. She acknowledges that it can be “interesting” being the only Black person in the room, but she makes sure to assert her authority and expertise.
“Being the only Black person in the room is always interesting. A lot of times, when you’re dealing with people in a male-dominated space, they automatically go to the man instead of talking to you. It gets a little annoying, but for me, I just make sure they understand I’m the person that’s in charge.”
Recognizing the underrepresentation of Black and Brown women in STEM careers, Davis-Williams now dedicates her time to inspiring the next generation. She speaks at schools, educating young girls about the possibilities available to them in the automotive industry and STEM fields. Additionally, she is involved in GM’s affinity groups, which aim to introduce Detroit’s youth to the world of engineering.
“Working in STEM is important, especially for women,” Davis-Williams says. “Everyone can apply engineering to their everyday life. And I want to make sure that the girls coming up see that.”
Through her groundbreaking career and her tireless efforts to uplift and empower young Black girls, Benetia Davis-Williams is paving the way for greater diversity and representation in the automotive industry.
