Scouts Go Farther - Kali Wilder-Blue
Welcome to our Scout Motors employee spotlight featuring Corporate Executive Assistant, Kali Wilder-Blue.
No two days are the same when you’re an Executive Assistant at a fast-growing motor company. One day you’re planning meetings; the next, you’re riding through an overnight storm in a Lyft with the CEO and then discussing music with renowned philosophers. For Kali Wilder-Blue, that’s just another day at Scout Motors, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’d best describe my working style as ‘adaptive’ because it has to be,” Kali explains. “I’ve found myself doing everything from taxes, building desks, creating dashboards, and talking about ‘favorite rap artists’ with Cornel West (an American philosopher and political activist).”
Kali doesn’t just adapt; she makes things happen. That’s her superpower. And underneath it all is a simple truth: she thrives under pressure. “I need to feel the pressure to be motivated,” she admits. “If it’s low stakes, I am not interested.”
That explains why she relates most strongly to Scout Motors’ value, “Figure It Out.” “Being self-sufficient and having the ability to make things work has been my life motto,” Kali explains. “Yes, we have teams we can lean on, but we should also be able to get things done on our own.”
That mindset took root early – when Kali’s dad handed her the keys to a ‘91 Chevy Cavalier named Cleetus. Cleetus leaked coolant and rattled over every pothole, but it gave her freedom: summer job runs, beach trips, and ice cream with her little brother. Cleetus’ first big adventure was a drive from New Jersey to Virginia for a concert. Later, in college, a campus speed bump ripped off the muffler, leaving the car sounding like 1,000 motorcycles racing by. Eventually, Cleetus stopped reversing … and then stopped going forward altogether. But it sparked Kali’s lifelong connection to vehicles – and the independence and connection they make possible.
Ask her about her all-time favorite ride, and she doesn’t hesitate. “My 2002 Ram, the Bloody Barron (yes, he was red). It was the first vehicle I purchased on my own,” Kali said.
But Kali’s attachment to vehicles goes far beyond her own adventures – it’s rooted in the lessons, passion, and inspiration she’s gained from her father. “When I purchase my new Scout® vehicle, it will make its first trip to my dad’s house,” Kali shares. “He is so excited to see what we’ve been working on.” Kali’s dad – a lifelong mechanic who’s worked on everything from diesel engines to motorcycles – sparked her love for vehicles. Even now, he’s still learning how to service EVs, and he couldn’t be happier that Kali found a career and company aligned with one of her biggest passions.
Her favorite memory at Scout Motors? It wasn’t a big meeting or a flashy announcement but a late-night lobby chat before an international leadership visit that Kali and her coworkers organized. The spontaneous conversation became a moment of levity and calm before a busy day
She’s racked up plenty more travel stories since then. Like the time bad weather grounded her and the Executive Team in Richmond, Virginia. After hours of dead ends, they finally tracked down the only Lyft in town — a battered minivan headed for Tysons, VA. “I dozed off, but when I woke up, Scott (Keogh) was still sitting upright, eyes on the road the entire ride.” For anyone who knows Scott, this makes sense – he never quits. For Kali, those memories encompass something special about the early days at Scout Motors. Sometimes unpredictable, a little chaotic, but always filled with camaraderie and genuine human connection.
When she’s not juggling calendars or coordinating activities across teams, Kali’s personal life is just as eventful. You might find her singing — she often performs as a background artist for studio sessions and live performances, and sometimes even programs her own small recitals. Otherwise, she spends time working on her project truck and enjoying good meals with family and friends.
“Black American culture often includes enjoying a big, tasty meal. Whether home-cooked or out at a favorite place — I love having my loved ones with me while I EAT!!” Kali exclaimed.
And as someone who normally spends time planning the schedules of others, it’s the unplanned days that bring her the most joy. “Starting the day with no plan and finding something unique and exciting – that’s the best kind of day,” Kali said.
And in rare moments, she actually gets to unwind! “Bob’s Burgers is almost a perfect show,” she says. “It always delivers.”
Much the same way Kali shows up, every single day.
