Anna Schneider

Anna-Maria Schneider is the Senior Vice President, Industry-Government Relations at Volkswagen Group of America. She is responsible for the development of the company’s legislative and public affairs priorities, and leads all advocacy efforts at the federal and state level. Active in leadership positions in several trade associations and chambers of commerce, she promotes and builds awareness among key audiences in Washington and in the states of the Volkswagen Group’s environmental stewardship, safety innovations and corporate philanthropy.

Anna previously served as vice president of Industry and Government Affairs and the deputy to the Group Vice President at Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMA), the holding company for Toyota’s North American sales, engineering and manufacturing operating units. There she was responsible for oversight of department operations, including personnel, office administration, budget, affiliate relations and development of public policy priorities.

Before joining Toyota, Anna was Executive Director for Government Relations of the U.S. Operations for Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) where she headed Mitsubishi’s government relations office for 13 years.

Prior to joining Mitsubishi, Anna served as Director for Intergovernmental Affairs for Global USA, Inc., an international trade consulting firm, where she worked closely with foreign governments and corporations, assisting them in understanding and responding to U.S. government policies. Earlier in her career, Anna served as an account executive in the International Trade Practice Division of Hill and Knowlton Public Affairs Worldwide.

Anna graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations and has a Master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University. She also studied at the Institute for European Studies in Vienna, Austria. She sits on several Boards, including the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (Chair), DC Scores (Sustainability Committee Vice Chair), the Organization for International Investment, the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (Secretary, DADSS), the U.S. Capitol Historical Society (Development Committee Chair), Virginia FREE, and the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Congressional Study Group on Germany, a division of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress. She enjoys fundraising for the March of Dimes, mentoring, and is the executive sponsor of Volkswagen Group’s Women’s Employee Resource Group.