Founder & President of Quistem, LLC
She is widely recognized for her expertise in helping organizations transform management systems into drivers of customer satisfaction, business growth, and sustained profitability.
Cathy Fisher is the Founder and President of Quistem, LLC, with more than 40 years of experience in the automotive industry. Cathy works with innovators and early adopters across the global automotive and mobility supply chain, including OEMs, Tier 1–n suppliers, and emerging technology companies. She partners with clients to build scalable, high-performing systems that align operational excellence with measurable business outcomes.
She began her career with General Motors in the 1980s, working in the AC Spark Plug division in Flint, Michigan, where she led product development efforts supporting GM-sponsored NASCAR teams. She later joined ITT-Teves, contributing to the launch of anti-lock braking systems in the U.S. market, including supporting two plant start-ups. In 1993, Cathy joined BMW’s plant start-up team in Greer, South Carolina, where she played a key role in establishing the North American supply base for the 318, 325, and Z3 Roadster programs.
Under Cathy’s leadership, Quistem is celebrating 30 years of client success in 2026, having supported more than 500 manufacturers globally in developing, implementing, and certifying management systems to ISO and industry-specific quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety standards. She has trained more than 10,000 engineers in the application of Automotive Core Tools, including FMEA and structured problem solving, and is recognized for her leadership in advancing integrated systems across supply chain and quality functions.
Cathy continues to lead Quistem’s evolution by incorporating reinvention principles and advancing the integration of emerging technologies into management systems and technical capability development.
Cathy earned her Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Quality and Statistics at the General Motors Institute at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan.