Jim Hackett is a distinguished American businessman renowned for his transformative leadership roles at Ford Motor Company and Steelcase Inc. He began his association with Ford in 2013 when he joined the company’s Board of Directors. By 2016, he had become Chairman of Ford Smart Mobility LLC, a subsidiary focused on emerging mobility services and advanced automotive technologies. In this role, Hackett led efforts to connect all Ford and Lincoln vehicles to the cloud, driving the company's growth in smart vehicle technology and the Internet of Things. His initiatives included accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles, which culminated in the successful launches of the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning, both of which broke sales records.

In 2017, Hackett was appointed President and CEO of Ford Motor Company. He applied user-centered design methods to revamp Ford's product lineup, strategically eliminating many sedans to focus on new models like the Bronco and the award-winning Ford Maverick pickup truck. His 2018 CES Keynote, "The Living Street," predicted significant advancements in vehicle intelligence and their environmental and social impacts. Hackett's leadership at Ford was marked by a significant transformation towards smart vehicles, electric and autonomous technology, and a deeper customer focus. He restructured operations, invigorated the product portfolio, and reduced bureaucracy, positioning Ford for future success. After retiring in 2020, Hackett continued to serve as a special advisor to the company until March 2021.

Before his tenure at Ford, Hackett had a long and successful career at Steelcase, a leading office furniture company. He joined Steelcase after being recruited from Procter & Gamble and quickly rose through the ranks. By 1994, he was appointed CEO of Steelcase, a position he held until 2014. Under his leadership, Steelcase transformed into the world’s largest and most innovative office furniture company. Hackett foresaw the shift from traditional office spaces to collaborative "we spaces," opening new markets in education and healthcare. He championed design innovation through a strategic partnership with IDEO, a design consulting firm known for creating the first Apple mouse.

Between his tenure at Steelcase and Ford, Hackett served as interim Director of Athletics at the University of Michigan from 2014 to 2016, where he successfully recruited coach Jim Harbaugh. Hackett is also a trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation since 1998 and holds a position on the Board of Directors for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.

Jim Hackett resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife Kathy. They have two sons, Patrick and Rob, and six grandchildren. Known for his innovative and people-focused leadership style, Hackett has left a lasting impact on the industries he has served, from revolutionizing office furniture design to steering a historic automotive company into the future of smart and electric vehicles.