Fireside Chat with AIAG CEO Matt Pohlman: Tackling Forced Labor Risk in the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry continues to take steps to strengthen its due diligence efforts, demonstrating increased resolve to eradicate forced labor from global supply chains. With evolving compliance expectations and heightened due diligence requirements, automakers and suppliers must stay ahead to mitigate risk and ensure supply chain integrity.
Join Kharon’s Ethan Woolley and CEO of the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), Matt Pohlman, in a fireside chat as they discuss the growing compliance pressures facing the automotive sector. This conversation explores the unique challenges automakers face in forced labor compliance, why this issue has become increasingly urgent for automakers, and its broader implications for the industry. With insights from Kharon's research and AIAG's broad industry perspective, this discussion covers why compliance should be a priority, the evolving regulatory landscape, and practical strategies for enhancing supply chain due diligence.
Speakers:
Matt Pohlman, Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), CEO
Matt Pohlman is the Chief Executive Officer of the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), where he leads efforts to address the industry’s most pressing challenges in quality, supply chain, and corporate responsibility. With more than two decades of global leadership experience—including roles at Federal-Mogul, Delphi Corporation, Tenneco, and WABCO/ZF Group—Matt brings deep operational and strategic expertise across the automotive value chain. His background spans supply chain management, supplier quality, logistics, and compliance, along with international experience in Europe.
Now in his third year as CEO, Matt is driving a transformative vision for AIAG—focused on speed, relevance, and proactive collaboration. Under his leadership, AIAG is at the forefront of initiatives to help the automotive industry navigate complex due diligence requirements, including those related to forced labor and human rights. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the International Automotive Oversight Bureau (IAOB), reinforcing his commitment to ethical leadership and global supply chain integrity.
Ethan Woolley, Director, Kharon
Ethan Woolley is a Director at Kharon, where he leads the firm’s work on UFLPA due diligence best practices and the use of data to strengthen risk management programs. Ethan frequently works with private sector organizations in every industry and regularly speaks at conferences and industry events on forced labor risk. Ethan received his BA in International Relations and Russian from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Energy Politics from the European University at St. Petersburg. Ethan speaks Russian and spent time living in Moscow.