A native of Saginaw, MI, Sonia graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1985. After graduation, she attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee, FL to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Sonia graduated summa cum laude with her BS in 1989. She received an MBA from Florida A&M in 1990. During her matriculation at Florida A&M, she received numerous honors and awards including: Academic Achievement Award–Highest GPA Class of 1989, Academic All-American Student Award, Academic All-American Collegiate Scholarship, National Dean’s List, Outstanding Young Women of America, White & Gold Honor Society, National Business Merit Award, National Urban Bankers Award, Dean’s Scholar, 1988 Economics Club Award & Outstanding College Students of America.
Upon completion of Graduate School, Sonia accepted a position as a Buyer with Ford Motor Company. During her tenure at Ford, she held numerous buying positions including Construction Services, Engine Components, Sunvisors and Headliners. She also worked as a Program Analyst for the 1993 Ranger launch. Sonia’s management experience at Ford included Managing the Ford College Graduate Training Program for the Purchasing Organization, Manager-Engine Programs responsible for launching over 30 Engine Programs and Purchasing Manager-Powertrain Systems and Controls managing $4.3 billion. In this position, some of the commodities she managed the procurement of included Exhaust Systems, Powertrain Control Modules, Emission Sensors, Injectors, Exhaust Manifolds & Intake Manifolds. During her tenure at Ford, Sonia managed over $5 billion and negotiated savings of over $120 million.
In addition to her solid performance on key job objectives, Sonia developed or led many non-job related initiatives such as the Ford Academy of Manufacturing Sciences Partnership Program with Cody High School. She developed a Volunteer Speaker Program, Scholarships and Internships for the participants. She also developed a Professional Development curriculum to assist students with Resume Writing, Interviewing and Oratorical Skills. She was the Diversity Champion for the organization and developed many innovative initiatives leading Purchasing to having one of the highest Diversity scores in the company. She received the esteemed “Leading The Way” Diversity Award in 2002. In 2003, Sonia was named one of the Outstanding African-American Women Leaders of Ford Motor Company.
In December 2003, Sonia accepted the position of Director, Global Indirect Materials for The Gillette Company. In this role, she is responsible for managing a $2.5 billion spend. Sonia is charged with leveraging spend for Categories such as: Legal Services, Facilities, IT, Marketing, Capital Equipment/MRO & HR. During her 11 month tenure, she has led her team in negotiating savings of $60 million for 2004. She is a member of the National Black MBA Recruiting Team, the Supplier Diversity Steering Committee and the Supplier Diversity Advisory Council for the company.
Sonia is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a Charter Member of the Metro Detroit Optimist Club, Florida A&M Alumni Association-Detroit Chapter, Girl Scouts, Patriots’ Trail Council-Finance & Development Committee, Greater Framingham Community Church and serves as a mentor to many students and colleagues. Her hobbies include Reading, Writing, Skiing, Motivational Speaking and Playing the Piano. Sonia is married to Kenneth A. Myles and has two sons.
