My Journey in electrifying the world’s most popular truck

Linda Zhang is the 2022 ECE Alumni Merit Award Recipient.

Linda Zhang, chief program engineer for the F-150 Lightning, Ford’s first electric truck, will talk about her experience leading the team behind this game-changing vehicle, including the challenges and successes of shifting America’s perception of what an EV can be.

Bio

Linda Zhang, is responsible for leading the team delivering Ford’s first ever all-electric F-150 pickup. Zhang assumed this role in September 2018 when development began.

Zhang, who has been with Ford for nearly 25 years, joined the company after graduating with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and moving into the Ford College Graduate program. From there, she worked in manufacturing, product development, finance and corporate strategy, gathering business fundamentals that would serve her well as she worked on programs like Ford Explorer, Escape, Kuga and F-150. The F-150 Lightning program, she said, has been particularly fulfilling – because of her background in electrification and the truck’s prominent position in the Ford portfolio.

Linda Zhang was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine representing the team electrifying the world’s most popular truck in November 2021.

Zhang, 44, also has an MBA from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, she enjoys sports, travel and spending time with her family.