In an industry once ruled by men, Mary Barra has made history. She is the first female CEO of General Motors (GM), the world’s second-largest automaker after Toyota¹. Barra’s journey to the top has inspired many, leading over 30,000 employees worldwide at GM¹.

Starting as a co-op student at GM at 18, Barra has spent 40 years with the company. Her father’s 40-year career at GM’s Pontiac Division gave her an early start in the automotive world². This set the stage for her own impressive rise to leadership².

Key Takeaways

• Mary Barra is the first female CEO of General Motors, a historic milestone in the male-dominated auto industry.
• Barra has over four decades of experience at GM, starting as a co-op student and working her way up to the top leadership position.
• Barra oversees more than 30,000 employees worldwide at GM, the world’s second-largest automaker.
• Barra has been recognized as one of the most influential women in business, receiving numerous accolades and awards.
• Under Barra’s leadership, GM has focused on modernizing its product lineup and embracing new technologies like electric vehicles and autonomous driving.

Early Life and Background

Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors (GM), was born in Royal Oak, Michigan. She has Finnish roots from her grandfather, Viktor Mäkelä³. Growing up in Detroit’s automotive culture, she was surrounded by cars from a young age. Her father worked at GM’s Pontiac Division for nearly 40 years³.

Finnish Heritage and Family Roots

Barra’s Finnish ancestry has greatly influenced her. Her grandfather, Viktor Mäkelä, came from Finland. He taught her the value of hard work and perseverance⁴.

Growing Up in Detroit’s Automotive Culture

Barra grew up in the heart of Detroit’s car world. Her father’s long career at GM gave her a deep understanding of the auto industry⁴.

Educational Journey

³ She started at Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute) with a degree in Electrical Engineering³. Then, she got an MBA from Stanford University on a GM fellowship³. This showed her dedication to the auto industry and her love for learning.

“I’m honored to lead this great company and our talented team as we continue to transform GM to be more customer-focused, resilient and innovative, while leaving a positive impact on society.”

– Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors

Rise Through the Ranks at General Motors

Mary Barra worked at General Motors for over 30 years. She moved from engineering to human resources and product development⁵. She never stayed in one job for more than four years⁵.

She joined GM in 1980, starting as a co-op student. She checked fender panels and hoods⁶. She moved up, becoming plant manager of Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly⁷.

In 2008, Barra became the first female head of manufacturing and engineering at GM⁷. She was the first female CEO in 2014⁷. Her success broke the glass ceiling and inspired others.

Barra has always focused on innovation and sustainability⁶. GM has invested in electric and autonomous vehicles. They bought Cruise Automation for over $1 billion in 2016⁶.

Barra’s career shows her leadership and technical skills⁵. She has made the automotive industry more diverse and inclusive⁷.

Making History as Mary Barra Becomes CEO

In 2014, Mary Barra made history as the first female CEO of a major global automaker, General⁸. She faced a big challenge early on: the ignition switch recall crisis. This involved recalling about 30 million vehicles starting in 2014⁸.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Automotive Industry

Barra became the first female CEO in the male-dominated automotive industry⁹. Women hold only 22.5% of Fortune 500 board seats. Only 60 women have been CEOs at a Fortune 500 company⁹. Her rise at General Motors broke barriers for women in leadership roles in the automotive sector.

First Major Challenges as CEO

Barra’s first big challenge was the ignition switch recall crisis. She focused on being transparent and empowering employees. She also worked to improve safety and company culture, showing her leadership style and focus on customer experience and innovation.

Leadership Style and Management Philosophy

Barra’s leadership is about empowering employees and clear communication. She focuses on the company and its customers for success and change. Under her, GM has beaten earnings forecasts 34 out of 35 quarters⁸. The company’s stock has dropped 10.5% during her time⁸.

She has also led GM’s shift to electric and autonomous vehicles. The company aims to only offer EVs by 2035 and will spend $35 billion on these technologies by 2025⁸.

“Barra’s leadership style emphasizes customer experience, innovation in electric and autonomous vehicles, and creating an inclusive work environment.”

Transforming General Motors for the Future

Mary Barra has led General Motors (GM) on a journey to change the car industry. She focuses on electric vehicles, self-driving cars, and being green. Barra aims to make GM a leader in innovation and change¹⁰.

Barra is committed to making GM electric by 2035¹¹. She’s investing a lot in electric car tech, aiming for 1 million EVs by 2025¹⁰. GM now has nine electric cars and trucks, with four more coming soon¹¹.

Barra also pushes for self-driving cars. GM’s Cruise unit is working hard on this tech, but a recent accident has stopped them for now¹⁰. Barra believes in always adapting and making smart choices to keep GM ahead¹⁰.

Source Links

1. What Drives Mary Barra – https://stanfordmag.org/contents/what-drives-mary-barra
2. » Mary Barra | Automotive Hall of Fame – https://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/mary-barra/
3. How Mary Barra Went From Inspecting Fender Panels To GM’s First Female CEO – https://www.businessinsider.com/mary-barra-gm-ceo-career-bio-2013-12
4. Mary Barra – https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/mba/life-community/alumni/voices/mary-barra
5. GM CEO Mary Barra on the pivotal breakthrough that catapulted her to the corner office – https://fortune.com/2024/10/07/mary-barra-general-motors-women-ceo-leadership/
6. Mary Barra at General Motors: Curiosity in Leadership – https://medium.com/@nareshnavinash/mary-barra-at-general-motors-curiosity-in-leadership-6f6ab8b64faa
7. Rise to the Top – DBusiness Magazine – https://www.dbusiness.com/mi-makers/rise-to-the-top/
8. 10 years in, GM CEO Mary Barra has built her legacy on change and crisis. 2024 will bring new tests – https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/15/for-10-year-gm-ceo-mary-barra-2024-is-about-change-and-crisis.html
9. Women’s History Month: Mary Barra – https://blog.apeelsciences.com/womens-history-month-mary-barra
10. GM CEO Mary Barra has spent a decade determined not to be disrupted. How she’s transforming the auto giant for the EV future – https://fortune.com/2024/10/02/gm-ceo-mary-barra-cruise-electric-vehicles/
11. GM’s CEO on electric vehicles: “This is one of the most exciting times in our industry” – https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gm-ceo-mary-barra-on-general-motors-electric-vehicles-and-ev-future/