As Director of Government and Community Relations Middle East and Africa, based in Dubai from 2014 to 2019, Verdi was instrumental in helping to stand up the Ford Middle East and Africa business unit, and spearheaded several initiatives, including the formation of the first pan-Africa auto industry association (AAAM) promoting sustainable growth policies, with Ford leading as founding member.

Verdi played a big role in empowering women in business in Saudi Arabia through the establishment of the Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy (HFEA) together with its local and international university partners, providing essential training to aspiring businesswomen in the Kingdom. 

Preceding her posting to Dubai, Verdi was Manager for Global Trade Strategy at Ford Motor Company, based in Washington DC supporting US, European, ASEAN, Russian, and Middle Eastern markets; and led trade advocacy for Ford vis-à-vis the WTO.

Since joining Ford in 2001, Verdi has held several external industry advisory positions. Verdi held the office of Vice-Chair of the USG Automotive Equipment and Capital Goods Industry Trade Advisory Committee (U.S. Department of Commerce), and served on the ITAC Chairs’ Investment Working Group. Verdi also  served as Director on the Board of the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce, and is an active member of the American Automotive Policy Council.

Prior to joining Ford, Verdi was analyst and policy advisor at the European Commission, Brussels, in the areas of Industry, External Relations and Research providing policy direction on Korean manufacturing issues and related impacts to European industry.

Verdi's prior experience in the private sector was in the Korean steel industry, focused on export market development and based in Seoul.

Verdi holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of British Columbia, Canada, and is Doctor Magister in Political Science, University of Padua, Italy.