Laura Schwab

PRESIDENT ASTON MARTIN THE AMERICAS 

- Mike Floyd

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, NATIVE

Laura Schwab had no idea she would launch herself into a successful career in the automotive industry when she quit working as a lawyer to join a startup in Southern California focused on car-configuration technology, but life has a funny way of working itself out. From that experience, she landed a job with Jaguar Land Rover, where she learned the business and took on numerous roles as she rose through the ranks. The wealth and depth of experience she gained along the way led Aston Martin to tap her for its top role here in America, a responsibility she assumed in 2015.

You’ve come on with Aston Martin at a pretty fortuitous time given its rebirth of sorts, framed by its history …

LS: I think the timing for me couldn’t have been better. To join the organization at this time in our history with the trajectory and what we’re doing, and now two years in, to really watch the plan unfold and to be in this role and to have this influence— I’m probably enjoying it more than any other point in my career.

How much of Aston’s recent growth is fueled by the Americas, and does it come with increased expectations?