Maximiliane Straub

CFO and executive vice president of controlling, finance and administration, Robert Bosch LLC, Farmington Hills • Claim to fame: Managing the return of automotive for the German supplier's North American arm by maintaining a reduced cost structure and creating internal talent.

Maximiliane Straub had the luxury of becoming an automotive CFO after the industry collapse in 2008-09. But managing the North American financials of the world's largest supplier, post-downturn, isn't elementary.

Straub, 47, made it a priority to push funds toward the supplier's management development program and financial training for its employees.

"We had to teach every one of our associates what liquidity means, because we were still in a difficult situation," Straub said. "But I also made sure there was money for growth projects even in difficult times. We watch over the programs more closely, so they remain intact."

Straub is one of few women to reach the CFO level in the automotive industry, and she said she's committed to attracting other women to the field.

She's a member of Detroit-based women's professional development group Inforum.