SUSAN BRENNAN
After turning out a new Leaf at Nissan, 1991 UNO graduate Susan Brennan turned over a new leaf in her career. But still with the aim of being leaf-friendly. At Nissan, Brennan was vice president of manufacturing overseeing the company’s massive plant in Smyrna, Tennessee. There she directed work that led to the production rollout of the electric-powered Leaf, 2011 European Car of the Year with features including zero tailpipe emissions. In 2005, Automotive News named Brennan one of its Top 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. After five years with Nissan Brennan joined Bloom Energy as its executive vice president and chief operating officer. The 17-year-old Sunnyvale, California, fuel cell company produces on-site power generation systems that utilize an innovative fuel cell energy technology with roots in NASA’s Mars program. Brennan is tasked with reducing costs and scaling manufacturing to meet growing market demand. Again, she’s making an impression. In 2016, Silicon Valley Business Journal presented her a “Women of Influence Award.”