Mary Barra J
oining General Motors in 1980 at the age of 18, Mary Barra has dedicated more than 40 years of her career to the automotive manufacturer. Rising from her beginnings as a Kettering University Co-op Student at the Pontiac Motor Division, Barra is now the CEO of the organisation, and is one of the 8% of female CEOs of Fortune 500 organisations. Dedicated to improving situations, solving challenges, capitalising on opportunities, and improving people’s lives, Barra marked a major milestone in America’s history when she became the first female CEO in American automotive manufacturing. “As an engineer, I’ve always looked at how to improve situations and solve challenges. Engineers have the ability to imagine what’s next and then make it happen. At its very core, engineering improves people’s lives,” said Barra. “As Chairman and CEO of General Motors, I now have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to use my engineering mindset to help make the world a better place on a much larger scale.”
16
December 2021
Job Title: CEO Company: General Motors
TRAILBLAZER
Joined General Motors:
1980
Became CEO of General Motors:
2014 Fortune 500:
1 of 41 female CEOs Other roles: Barra serves on the Board of Directors of the Walt Disney Company, the Duke University Board of Trustees and the Detroit Economic Club
A vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion Barra is committed to creating a world with ‘zero crashes, to save lives; zero emissions, so future generations can inherit a healthier planet; and zero congestion, so customers get back a precious commodity - time.” Barra is focused on improving customer experiences, strengthening General Motors’ core vehicle and services, and transforming personal mobility via advanced technologies. “Our zero-emissions, all-electric future is underway right now, and we are moving faster than ever. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we quickly brought our manufacturing capability to bear to produce masks and ventilators. Yet we never lost a beat on our all-electric strategy,” said Barra. Transformation and innovation have been at the heart of General Motors for more than 100 years. With this spirit inspiring the organisation to this day, the company is committed to not only driving its own transformation but leading and influencing others, setting the standards, “to take everybody on the journey to a safer, more equitable, all-electric future. We’ve changed the world before and we’re doing it again,” said Barra. In June 2021, Barra announced that General Motors would be investing from 2020 through to 2025 US$35bn (up US$15bn pre-pandemic) to continue its momentum of building an all-electric future.
