General Motors has appointed former Lucid Motors executive Claudia Gast as deputy chief financial officer and vice president responsible for strategy, corporate development and technology partnerships, the company said.
Gast will join the automaker on March 1 and be based at General Motors’ Mountain View, California offices, GM said on Feb. 9. A company spokesperson said the role is the first at this executive level to combine several functions under a single leader.
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Her appointment follows the departure of Zach Kirkman, who previously served as president of GM Ventures. Kirkman joined General Motors in January 2023 as vice president of global corporate development and was appointed president of GM Ventures in February 2024. GM said Kirkman is leaving to pursue other opportunities.
Gast will take over most of the responsibilities previously held by Kirkman. In her new role, she will report to Chief Executive Mary Barra on strategy matters and to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson on corporate development and technology partnerships.
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“Claudia’s extensive background leading strategy and finance, along with her executive leadership across automotive, defense and other sectors, will help us build even stronger partnerships and expand opportunities for growth and innovation,” Barra said in a statement.
The move comes as General Motors places increased emphasis on software and advanced vehicle technologies. The automaker has said it plans to introduce eyes-off-capable vehicles in dealerships by 2028, starting with the Cadillac Escalade IQ electric SUV.
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At Lucid Motors, Gast served as senior vice president of strategy and business development, with oversight spanning artificial intelligence and machine learning, information technology, financial services, investor relations, capital markets support and operating functions. She spent three years at the electric vehicle maker and also led its investor relations activities from late 2023 to early 2025.
Gast has also held senior roles outside the automotive industry, including head of strategy and mergers and acquisitions at defense contractor AM General. General Motors is the only U.S. automaker with a dedicated defense business serving agencies such as the State Department, the Secret Service and NASA.