Michiko Kato has taken on her biggest challenge yet as Chief Information Officer (CIO) and CEO of Toyota’s Woven Capital. The appointment makes her the first female CEO of a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary. Kato will focus on finding future leaders in mobility, supporting companies that are potential collaboration partners with Toyota.

Woven Capital is Toyota's growth-stage venture capital arm, investing in companies like satellite firm Xona and defense manufacturing infrastructure company Machina Labs. Mia Panzer has also joined as COO, the first woman to hold both top roles at this corporate VC (CVC) firm. Their appointments highlight progress but echo broader challenges in gender representation within finance.

Previously an AI startup CFO and M&A team member, Kato brings a wealth of experience to Woven Capital. She is excited about aeromobility, physical AI, and hardware, envisioning fundamental changes in manufacturing through these technologies. Panzer comes from Goldman Sachs and the pet wellness company Independent Pet Partners, ready to tackle challenges such as corporate slowdowns and misalignment with parent companies.

Both women are eager to prove their worth, emphasizing that in a world of assumptions, it’s better to just jump in. Their appointments reflect both progress and the ongoing journey toward gender equality in tech and finance.