Christopher P. Reynolds stands as a pivotal figure within the Toyota Motor Corporation, holding significant executive positions that underscore his importance to the company’s strategic direction and global operations. As Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), Reynolds shoulders responsibilities that span across crucial functions, impacting Toyota Motor’s footprint in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
Within TMNA, Reynolds’s purview is extensive, encompassing Strategy and Business Development, Human Resources, Research and Development, Corporate Shared Services, Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Social Innovation, Information Technology, OneTech, and Connected Technologies. This broad portfolio highlights his deep involvement in shaping the future of Toyota Motor’s North American operations, ensuring alignment with the overarching global strategy of Toyota Motor Corporation.
His influence extends beyond North America. At Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), the global parent entity, Reynolds serves as Deputy Chief Officer in multiple critical domains: General Administration & Human Resources Group, Global Compliance, and Global Risk. In these capacities, he provides essential leadership and guidance across Toyota Motor’s vast network spanning seven global regions. This demonstrates his integral role in maintaining operational integrity and strategic coherence across the entire Toyota Motor organization worldwide.
Reynolds’s expertise and leadership are also recognized beyond Toyota Motor. He holds a position on the Board of Directors for Southwest Airlines and acts as vice-chair for the Board of the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas. These external engagements further illustrate his broad business acumen and leadership capabilities outside of the automotive sector, enriching his perspective and contributions to Toyota Motor.
His journey within Toyota Motor has been marked by progressive leadership roles. Prior to his current positions, Reynolds served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Resources for TMNA, and also led North American Manufacturing operations. His prior roles include Chief Diversity Officer, and General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, showcasing his diverse skill set and deep understanding of Toyota Motor’s operations from various angles. Earlier in his Toyota career, he was Group Vice President, Chief Environmental Officer and Corporate Secretary of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. His industry leadership was further cemented when he chaired the Alliance for Automotive Innovation in 2021, and he continues to serve on its Board of Directors, actively shaping the automotive landscape.
Before dedicating his career to Toyota Motor in 2007, Reynolds was a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in New York City, where he led the New York office’s labor and employment law group and served on the firm’s advisory board. His legal background is further strengthened by his experience as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York and a law clerk for Judge Damon J. Keith of the U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit.
Growing up in Detroit, in a family connected to the auto industry – his father worked at Ford’s River Rouge plant – Reynolds developed a foundational understanding of the automotive world. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with honors from Kalamazoo College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and a law degree from Harvard Law School. This robust educational background coupled with his extensive professional experience positions Christopher P. Reynolds as a key executive driving Toyota Motor’s global strategy and ensuring its continued success in a rapidly evolving automotive industry.
