For a young girl in South Africa, it was Ford’s legendary history that inspired Louisa Cordier to pursue a career in automotive.
“Since a very young age, I dreamed about a career in the motor industry,” she says. “My blood is blue, and I was always fascinated by South Africa’s automotive manufacturing industry.”
Louisa, wholesale manager at Ford South Africa’s customer service division has been with Ford since 2007, entering the business as a buyer supervisor and also working with dealers as a zone manager.
“I’m privileged to work with so many inspirational women in Ford who set such an incredible example for the rest of us to follow – women in various positions like Esther Buthelezi, Yota Baron, Maja Smith, Darlene Hiralal and Ida Le Grange,” she said. “And I was privileged to become the second female zone manager at FCSD to help pave the way.”
Now, as South Africa’s wholesale manager, Louisa overseas a large network comprising international suppliers, dealers, customers, wholesalers and third-party repair facilities across South Africa, all communicating and moving in lockstep.
“I believe success is a matter of perseverance and I’m passionate about motivating the women I work with to always hang in there and to expand their personal growth”.
Lifting up those around her is something Louisa strives for inside of work and out. She’s part of a women’s ministry, recently completed a counselling course, and supports outreach programs within their community, along with her husband Kobus.
In fact, last year, Louisa and Kobus, who is a police officer at K9 in Roodeplaat, celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary. With two daughters, Cimoné and Monique, both also now married, Louisa and Kobus are looking forward to the next chapter in their lives, eagerly looking towards becoming grandparents in the near future and visiting Cimoné and her husband in Australia.
They’re a family with a love of the outdoors, whose ritual camping trips provide the chance to recharge, reconnect and to make memories.
Their favourite bushveld camping destinations include Dinokeng, Bass Lake, Drie Berge and Kruger National Park, away from the hustle and bustle of city life where they can feel one with nature, take in the fresh air and find balance, she said.