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Mary Teresa Barra is the Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of General Motors (GM), a role she has held since January 2014. She also became Chair of GM’s Board of Directors in 2016. 

Early Life & Background

Born on December 24, 1961, in suburban Detroit, Barra was immersed in the automotive world from a young age. Her father was a long-serving die maker at GM, and she often cites her upbringing as foundational to her deep understanding of manufacturing and the importance of hard work. 

At 18, she joined GM through its cooperative education program while studying at the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) — working on the assembly line inspecting fenders and hoods, all while earning her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (1985). 

Later, she earned an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business (1990) on a GM fellowship, a decision that would later pay off in her leadership career. 
Wikipedia

Climbing the Ranks at GM

Barra’s path at GM was both long and diverse — she held a variety of roles spanning engineering, manufacturing, HR, and product development:

Plant Manager: She managed GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, honing operational leadership. 
Encyclopedia Britannica

Vice President, Manufacturing Engineering: In this role, she drove efficiency and innovation in global production. 
Encyclopedia Britannica

Vice President, Global Human Resources: Here, Barra shaped GM’s talent strategies, compensation, and leadership development. 
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Senior & Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing & Supply Chain: These roles gave her oversight across design, engineering, and supply chain — prime experience that prepared her for the top job. 
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Becoming CEO & Leading Through Crisis

When she became CEO in 2014, Barra made history: she was the first woman to lead a major global automaker. 
Her early tenure was tested by one of GM’s biggest safety scandals — faulty ignition switches linked to more than 120 fatalities. 
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 Barra took a bold and transparent approach, taking responsibility, appearing before the U.S. Congress, and launching a sweeping safety review. 
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 Under her leadership, GM also initiated a “Speak Up for Safety” campaign, encouraging employees to report issues without fear. 
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This crisis helped Barra redefine GM’s corporate culture, putting safety, accountability, and integrity at the core of the company’s mission. 
Vision for the Future: Electrification, Autonomy & Sustainability

Mary Barra has charted an ambitious course for GM’s future, with a clear and powerful vision: “Zero crashes. Zero emissions. Zero congestion.” 

Electric Vehicles (EVs): Under Barra, GM has invested heavily into EV technology, setting long-term goals for transitioning away from internal-combustion engines. 
Autonomous Driving: GM acquired Cruise, a robotaxi company, to accelerate its autonomous vehicle strategy. 
Encyclopedia Britannica

Modern Vehicle Design: She has pushed for better quality, innovative design, and revitalization of GM’s key brands like Cadillac and Buick. 
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Cultural Leadership & Inclusion

Beyond technology, Barra emphasizes building a diverse, safe, and inclusive GM. She has championed a culture where employees feel empowered to speak up, play a role in change, and contribute to GM’s transformation. 
Leadership Story Bank

She has also set environmental goals: GM under her leadership aims for carbon neutrality by 2040, and has publicly committed to phasing out internal combustion vehicles in favour of EVs. 
Encyclopedia Britannica

Leadership Style & Recognition

Barra is known for her collaborative but decisive leadership. She believes in doing what’s right, even when it's hard, and focuses on both people and purpose. 

Her contributions have not gone unnoticed:

In 2023, she was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame for her groundbreaking role and long-term impact. 
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In 2024, Stanford GSB awarded her the Ernest C. Arbuckle Award for excellence in management leadership. 
Stanford News

She’s frequently featured in Time, Fortune, and Forbes lists of the most powerful or influential women. 

Challenges & Criticism

Barra’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Some of her bold bets — such as on autonomy (Cruise) — have come under scrutiny, especially as the self-driving industry faces regulatory and technical hurdles. 
Wikipedia

Additionally, her aggressive push for electrification has drawn both praise and criticism: while applauded for vision, some analysts question the pace and cost, especially given the capital-intensive nature of EV and autonomy infrastructure. 
 

Legacy & Impact

Mary Barra stands as a trailblazer in the traditionally male-dominated automotive world. From working on the factory floor to leading GM through transformation, she symbolizes resilience, innovation, and accountability.

Her long-term vision for zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion reflects not just a business strategy, but a deeply held belief in creating a safer, cleaner, and more connected world. Under her leadership, GM is not just building cars — it is reimagining mobility for the future.