Stellantis (FCA US) recently made significant announcements regarding appointments within its Product Design Office (PDO) executive leadership team. These appointments, effective immediately, reflect the company’s commitment to advancing its design capabilities and preparing for the future of mobility.
Vince Galante, Vice President – Jeep® Exterior Design
Vince Galante has been appointed as the Vice President of Jeep® Exterior Design. Galante will report directly to Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles and oversee all exterior design activities for the Jeep and Wagoneer by Jeep vehicle lineups. With an extensive background at Stellantis since joining in 2005, Galante has held various positions of increasing responsibility.
Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to interior and exterior design, global user experience (UX), and the management and execution of various products and programs. Noteworthy projects under Galante’s guidance include the Uconnect platform, Grand Wagoneer Concept, and the Airflow Vision Concept. Galante brings a Bachelor of Fine Arts in transportation design from the College for Creative Studies and an executive MBA from Michigan State University to his new role. He has also spent 12 years in the Jeep design studio, working closely with former Head of Jeep Design Mark Allen, who recently announced his retirement after 30 years with the company.
Ryan Nagode, Vice President – Interior Design
Ryan Nagode assumes the role of Vice President of Interior Design, reporting to Ralph Gilles. In this position, Nagode will lead the interior design direction for several prominent brands under the Stellantis umbrella, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Truck, and Wagoneer by Jeep. His primary focus will be ensuring a cohesive and consistent interior design language that reflects the unique heritage of each brand.
Nagode has been with the company since 2003, starting as a product designer and contributing to the creation of numerous high-profile vehicles. He led the interior design for the all-new Ram 1500 Revolution battery-electric vehicle concept and the upcoming 2025 Ram 1500 REV, the first battery-electric light-duty pickup truck from Ram Truck. Nagode holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design from the Cleveland Institute of Art.
Leandro Pinto, Vice President – Global User Experience
Leandro Pinto has been appointed as the Vice President responsible for Global User Experience (UX), reporting to Ralph Gilles and Chief Design Officer Jean Pierre Ploue for the North American and European brands, respectively. Pinto’s role encompasses global design development, coordination, and alignment of Stellantis’ user experience and Uconnect platform.
Pinto joined Stellantis South America in 2019, leading the UX design team before relocating to France in 2022 to work on regional and global programs. His educational background includes an MBA from the Berlin School of Creative Leadership in association with Steinbeis University and studies at the University of Bologna in Italy, the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, and the Miami Ad School in São Paulo.
“Vince, Ryan, and Leandro will bring their own unique perspective, imagination, and innovation to these roles as we move toward an electrified future,” said Gilles. “We’re fortunate to have such proven and amazing talent inside our design office.”
“I would also like to thank Mark Allen for his indelible contributions to the Jeep, Dodge, and Ram Truck brands. I hope that when he looks back on his career, he feels the way we do, which is gratification for the legacy he helped to create that will be enjoyed by the world for years to come.”
