Maureen Kempston Darkes

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Vera Maureen Kempston Darkes, OC , O.Ont , LL.B , LL.D (born c. 1949) is a Canadian lawyer and automotive executive who is the General Motors Group Vice President; President, GM Latin America, Africa and Middle East; a member of the General Motors Automotive Strategy Board, since January 1, 2002; and holds the highest operating post ever achieved by a woman at General Motors.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, she received a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Victoria University in the University of Toronto in 1970. She received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 1973 and was called to the Bar of Ontario.

In 1975, she joined the legal staff of General Motors of Canada and she became assistant counsel in 1979. She rose to become general counsel and secretary of GM Canada in 1992. She was later appointed the first woman President and General Manager of General Motors of Canada.

She was ranked by Fortune magazine in 2003 as the 6th "Most Powerful Women in International Business".

In 1997, she was awarded the Women's Automotive Association International (WAAI) Professional Achievement Award. In 1998, she was awarded the Order of Ontario and in 1999, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2006, she was awarded the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case. She has received honorary degrees from the University of Toronto, University of Victoria, McMaster University, Dalhousie University, Wilfrid Laurier University, the Law Society of Upper Canada, and Saint Mary's University.