Organization · Community
CADIA
CADIA is a membership-based organization located in Livonia, Michigan, focused on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the automotive industry and related sectors. It offers various services, including DEI assessments and training programs.
Overview
What CADIA does
What CADIA is
CADIA is a membership-based organization located in Livonia, Michigan, focused on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the automotive industry and related sectors. It offers various services, including DEI assessments and training programs.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community and event host and publisher capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Founded
- Founded in 2017
- Approximate age
- About 9 years
- Structured capabilities
- Community · Event host · Publisher
- Last reviewed
- March 16, 2026
Official channels
Find CADIA elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
CADIA as a community
Community overview
CADIA, founded in 2017, is based in Livonia, Michigan. The organization focuses on enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the automotive industry and related sectors. It serves as a member-driven community for HR, talent, and learning and development leaders, primarily in manufacturing companies, particularly automotive suppliers. CADIA aims to help organizations build cultures that foster employee engagement and retention while navigating challenges such as AI adoption and workforce transformation.
Community focus
CADIA provides services aimed at advancing DEI initiatives and practical AI adoption within organizations. Its focus areas include practical AI training, embedding inclusive culture into daily operations, and developing leaders' capacity to manage change effectively. The organization primarily serves the automotive sector but is expanding into aerospace, energy, and logistics.
Member value
Members benefit from access to training programs, resources for DEI initiatives, networking opportunities, and recognition through awards. CADIA also provides a platform for sharing best practices and challenges among HR and talent leaders.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- hybrid
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Operators
- Benefits
- mentorship, network-access, and certification
- Program types
- community and course
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
- Annual events
- 7
Events and activity
CADIA hosts several events, including the annual Impact Awards recognizing contributions to DEI in the automotive industry, the Rev Up summits focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the CADIA Roundtable, a peer exchange event held six times a year for HR and talent leaders to discuss current challenges and best practices.
Notable members
CADIA has collaborated with over 70 companies in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, providing resources and support for DEI initiatives. Notable team members include Cheryl Thompson (Founder and CEO), Ron Harvey (Workshop Facilitator and Speaker), Jennifer Harding (Vice President of Business Development), and Margaret Baxter (Executive Director).
Capability profile
CADIA as an event host
Event focus
CADIA focuses on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and practical AI adoption within organizations. Its key areas include making AI accessible to all employees, embedding inclusive culture into daily operations, and developing leaders' capacity to manage change effectively.
Format narrative
CADIA offers a variety of programs including training experiences, certification courses, and workshops aimed at enhancing DEI and AI understanding among employees and leaders.
Participant value
CADIA provides resources and support for organizations to build inclusive cultures, enhance employee engagement, and navigate challenges such as AI adoption and workforce transformation.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- awards-ceremony, summit, and meetup
- Recurrence
- annual
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- No
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Audience
- Founders · Corporate Innovators · Students
- Regions
- United States
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Cheryl Thompson (Founder and CEO), Ron Harvey (Workshop Facilitator and Speaker), Jennifer Harding (Vice President of Business Development), Margaret Baxter (Executive Director).
Past editions
CADIA has collaborated with over 70 companies in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, recognizing excellence in DEI efforts through initiatives like the CADIA Impact Awards.
Capability profile
CADIA as a publisher
Editorial focus
CADIA focuses on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the automotive industry and related sectors. It serves as a member-driven community for HR, talent, and learning and development leaders, primarily in manufacturing companies. CADIA aims to help organizations build cultures that foster employee engagement and retention while navigating challenges such as AI adoption and workforce transformation.
Audience value
CADIA provides services aimed at advancing DEI initiatives and practical AI adoption within organizations, helping them embed inclusive culture into daily operations and develop sustainable leadership.
Format and cadence
- Content formats
- newsletter
- Primary platform
- cadia.org
- Cadence
- periodic
Availability
- Guest pitch state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and focus
- Audience
- Corporate Innovators · Founders
- Regions
- North America
Flagship work and coverage
Flagship properties
CADIA publishes the CADIA News Digest, a periodic newsletter for members, and features various media appearances and discussions on DEI topics, including podcasts and articles in industry publications.
Notable coverage
CADIA has collaborated with over 70 companies in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, providing resources and support for DEI initiatives. Notable initiatives include the CADIA Impact Awards, which recognize excellence in DEI efforts.
Common questions
What to know about CADIA
Upseed classifies CADIA under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes community, event host, and publisher capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 16, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.