Enterprise Strategy · M&A · Capital · Governance
Claudia Gast
Executive, board director and investor. Currently Deputy CFO and Head of Strategy, Corporate Development, Ventures and Tech Partnerships at General Motors.
Executive, board director and investor. Currently Deputy CFO and Head of Strategy, Corporate Development, Ventures and Tech Partnerships at General Motors.
Claudia Gast is an executive, board director and investor with more than two decades of experience leading strategy, corporate development and M&A across the automotive, aerospace & defense, consumer and technology industries - from Fortune 100 enterprises to high-growth public companies.
Her work spans the full arc of enterprise leadership: setting long-term strategy, allocating capital, closing multi-billion-dollar transactions, raising capital in public markets, and building organizations of more than 1,000 people through industry-defining change. She has taken a company public as its CFO, led the sale of an iconic American manufacturer, and built strategy and M&A functions from the ground up.
Her career and life have spanned Europe and the United States, shaping a global perspective on business, markets and mobility.
She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and the Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA).
Leads long-term strategy, corporate development, ventures and technology partnerships for one of the world’s largest automakers through its transformation toward electrification, software and new mobility.
Built and led enterprise strategy, business development, financial services, IT, data science and AI/ML - an organization of more than 1,000 people. Closed a landmark global robotaxi partnership with Uber and Nuro, a $450M+ strategic technology partnership with Aston Martin, and raised $5B in capital over 18 months.
Built the strategy and M&A function from scratch, led global diversification and partnerships with companies including Volvo, FCA, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, and led the successful sale of AM General to KPS Capital Partners.
Directed cross-border strategy, M&A and cost transformation for a global Tier 1 automotive safety supplier; divested three non-core businesses, each exceeding board return thresholds.
Led partnerships and M&A for a division that grew from $3B to $12B in value, including acquisitions such as Frederic Fekkai and The Art of Shaving and their global integration. Recognized with P&G’s Breakthrough Award for M&A integration performance.
Began her career in vehicle safety engineering and regulatory strategy across US and European markets.
Moving from ambition to real-world impact, at scale.
Chief Financial Officer and Board Director of a $200M technology SPAC; led IPO execution, SEC compliance and investor relations.
Independent member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee member (2022); SEC-qualified financial expert.
Partner at a growth-stage investment firm focused on late-stage, pre-IPO technology companies.
A private investor in technology, consumer and industrial companies for more than 15 years. Fundraising board member of The Mission Continues and advisory board member of Women in Defense.
Contributor covering automotive, technology, capital markets and the future of mobility.
Panelist on "Getting Real About EVs" - building a solid EV strategy: tackling challenges, scaling smartly, and preparing for an EV future.
Speaker on strategy, corporate development, M&A and the future of mobility and technology.
For speaking, board, media and professional inquiries, please contact Claudia Gast’s office.
contact@claudiagast.com LinkedIn