by Susan Carney, Communications Director, Mcity at the University of Michigan

My career in communications and journalism has been challenging, sometimes surprising, but always interesting, with two enduring themes: writing and the automotive industry. My philosophy for success is rooted in collaboration and generosity, plus a healthy dose of courage when necessary.

My first professional job was as a public relations coordinator for AM General Corp., which is best known as a maker of military vehicles, including the HMMWV, or Hummer. (General Motors Co. now owns the Hummer brand.) 

During nearly 10 years with AM General, I became the first woman appointed to the executive staff when I was named director, corporate communications. I left having gained the confidence to pursue a dream: to write.

At 36, I decamped to New York and became a journalist. I was a newspaper reporter and editor for 15 years, covering everything from small town politics to social issues, health care and the global auto industry.

One of my proudest career moments came when my team at The Detroit News won several national awards for breaking news coverage of the General Motors Corp. bankruptcy in 2009, including a Gerald Loeb Award, considered one of the highest honors in business journalism. It was an important story for our readers and for Michigan’s signature industry.

Today, I am communications director for Mcity at the University of Michigan. Mcity is a public-private research center led by U-M and focused on advancing automated vehicles to benefit society through safer roads, lower fuel use and greater access to transportation options, especially for those with little or no access today.

I am a one-person marketing and communications department, overseeing media relations, content strategy and production, digital resources (website, social media), and outreach (quarterly newsletter, white paper series).

I returned to corporate communications as the newspaper industry faced an existential crisis that continues today, but I didn’t leave news.  My first stop was with one of Ford Motor Company’s PR agencies to lead enterprise storytelling for the automaker. When I left for Mcity, I was editor-in-chief of Ford’s internal newsroom.

I have long known about AWC, and was a member in the past. I rejoined because I’d like to build new professional relationships, share ideas and best practices, and learn from the experiences of others at all career levels.

It is ever more unusual to start down one career path and never detour — even briefly — for an unexpected opportunity or escape from a disappointing situation.  I’ll forever be grateful I was able to take my love of words, language, and storytelling to build a career that could carry me from communications to journalism and back again.

A Michigan native, born in Detroit and raised in Dearborn, I earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and a master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University in New York City. I live in Ann Arbor with my spirited (and spoiled) cat, Baby Peppers.