Vivian Rogers Pickard is a woman of many titles, and she recently added another. As of Jan. 28, 2025, the businesswoman and philanthropy leader is now a member of the Flint-based Ruth Mott Foundation Board of Trustees.
Pickard, originally from Grand Blanc, has devoted decades to improving Michigan communities through board leadership, civic engagement, and philanthropic initiatives. She spent her early professional career in Flint and worked for more than 30 years at General Motors, where she retired in 2015 as president of the General Motors Foundation.
“Vivian is dedicated to making a measurable difference in the lives of people in Michigan and beyond and we are fortunate to work with her and learn from her,” said Ruth Mott Foundation Board Chair Maryanne Mott, daughter of Ruth Rawlings and Charles Stewart Mott. “Her years of service and deep love of Flint will benefit our board and strengthen our work to connect people, ideas and resources for a vibrant and inclusive Flint.”
In 2024, Pickard was honored by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with the prestigious Lifetime Humanitarian Award, reserved for those who demonstrate outstanding civic and charitable responsibility to communities and organizations. During 2023, she was also honored by President Biden with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her extensive volunteer service.
“I’m excited to join the Ruth Mott Foundation Board of Trustees and look forward to amplifying the community-voiced efforts at the heart of their mission,” Pickard said. “The Foundation’s commitment to listening to and learning from residents is a practice I deeply believe in.”
Pickard currently serves on the Michigan Women’s Commission and as president and CEO of the Pickard Group, a consulting firm for public and private sector leaders improving corporate social responsibility, strategic planning, and business development.
She becomes the 10th member of the Ruth Mott Foundation Board of Trustees, which includes four family members who are descendants of Ruth Mott. There are also three trustees emeriti.
Pickard holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services Administration from Ferris State University, a Master of Business Administration in Personnel Management from Central Michigan University and an honorary doctorate from Ferris State University.
She serves on numerous boards, including: Flint Institute of Arts’ Development & External Relations Committee, Fifth Third Bank–Southeastern Region, Henry Ford Health System Foundation, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Sphinx Organization, and the Black Women’s Agenda. She is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council; Women Corporate Directors; International Women’s Forum; the Links, Inc.; National Black MBA Association; NAACP; and the National Council of Negro Women.
Additionally, Pickard is widely known and well respected for her dedication to community service. Her accomplishments have been acknowledged by the many other awards she has received including: the Spirit of the Dream Award from the United Negro College Fund, the Michigan Chronicle’s Driven: Philanthropic Pioneer Award, and Multicultural Media Award for Global Community Leadership. She was honored with The Charles H. Moore Award for Leadership in Cooperate Community Engagement from CECP, and was recognized as one of 25 Influential Black Women In Business by The Network Journal. She was also presented with the Role Model Award by Alternatives for Girls, and was named to Michigan Chronicle’s inaugural POWER 50 list as one of the 50 Most Powerful African Americans in Southeast Michigan, while she also received the Diversity Business Leader Award from Corp! Magazine, as well as the Global Community Award at the North American International Auto Show.
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