Quinlan School of Business Commencement Address

Pablo Di Si

(BBA '94) • Retired President and Chief Executive Officer, Volkswagen Group of America

Pablo Di Si (BBA '94) is a highly respected international business leader and the retired President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Volkswagen Group of America, where he led strategic operations, growth initiatives, and organizational transformation across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. His leadership was instrumental in advancing Volkswagen’s shift toward electrification and sustainability, expanding the brand’s manufacturing footprint, and enhancing customer engagement across North America. 

Di Si joined Volkswagen in 2014 and held several executive roles, including President and CEO for Volkswagen Argentina and Executive Chairman and President and CEO of Volkswagen Latin America. During his tenure, he led a historic financial turnaround in the region and played a critical role in product localization strategies. He also contributed to workforce development programs and sustainability efforts that positioned the company as an industry leader in emerging markets. 

Before joining Volkswagen, Di Si held senior positions at global companies including Fiat Chrysler, Monsanto, Kimberly-Clark, and Abbott Laboratories, where he developed deep expertise in international finance, supply chain operations, and global business strategy. Throughout his career, he has consistently championed cross-cultural leadership, digital transformation, and values-based management. Di Si currently serves as an independent board member for Lindsay Corporation and JHSF. 

In addition to his corporate achievements, Di Si is a passionate advocate for workforce innovation and inclusion. He has championed initiatives in renewable energy and natural goods, while also providing strategic guidance on increasing recurring revenue streams, reducing materials debt, and renegotiating key terms. A frequent speaker at global business forums, Di Si contributes thought leadership on the future of mobility and sustainable enterprise. 

Di Si holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola University Chicago and an Accounting degree from Northwestern University. He earned a Master of Business Administration in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and has completed advanced executive education programs at Harvard Business School (Advanced Management Program 181) and the Wharton School, further strengthening his global leadership perspective.