Mary Barra
Born 1961 · Age 64
American businesswoman; Chair and CEO of General Motors (first female CEO of a Big Three automaker). Longtime GM executive with four-decade career in engineering, product development and corporate leadership.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Royal Oak, Michigan
Mary Teresa Mäkelä (Mary Barra) was born to a family of Finnish descent. Her father later worked nearly 40 years at GM's Pontiac Division.
Joins General Motors as co-op student
Started in GM's student co-op program at age 18, inspecting fender panels/hoods at a Pontiac plant while attending college; used job to help pay tuition.
Inducted into IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu honor society
Inducted into the IEEE honor society (Theta Epsilon chapter) while a student at General Motors Institute (Kettering University).
Graduates from General Motors Institute (Kettering University)
Earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University); inducted into Tau Beta Pi (MI Zeta, class of 1985).
Becomes senior engineer at GM's Pontiac Division
After graduation, took a senior engineering role at the Pontiac (Fiero) operations and began rising through GM's engineering ranks.
Receives GM fellowship for Stanford GSB
Awarded a General Motors fellowship to attend Stanford Graduate School of Business to develop corporate management skills.
Earns MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business
Completed MBA (Stanford); returned to GM and took senior staff engineering/leadership assignments in manufacturing planning.
Head of Internal Communications, GM North America
Served as General Director of Internal Communications for GM North America (1999–2001), a senior corporate communications role.
Plant Manager, Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly
Appointed plant manager for the Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant, gaining major plant leadership responsibility.
Executive Director, Vehicle Manufacturing Engineering
Promoted to Executive Director of Vehicle Manufacturing Engineering; integrated six independent groups into one to streamline product development.
Vice President, Global Manufacturing Engineering
Named VP of Global Manufacturing Engineering in February 2008, overseeing manufacturing engineering globally for GM.
Vice President, Global Human Resources
In July 2009 became VP of Global HR; led changes to leadership development, compensation and benefits at GM (served until Feb 2011).
Reduced number of automobile platforms
As head of product development worked to rationalize and reduce GM's number of automobile platforms to streamline development.
Senior/Executive Vice President, Global Product Development
Named senior/executive vice president of Global Product Development in Feb 2011; responsible for design, engineering, program management and quality.
Ranked on Forbes Most Powerful Women (#35 in 2013)
Listed as #35 on Forbes's Most Powerful Women list in 2013, prior to officially becoming GM CEO.
Role expanded to include Global Purchasing & Supply Chain
In August 2013 her responsibilities were extended to include Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, broadening her operational remit.
Named CEO successor at General Motors
On December 10, 2013 GM named Mary Barra to succeed Daniel Akerson as CEO; first woman to be named CEO of a Big Three automaker.
Major safety recalls announced
During her first year as CEO GM issued 84 safety recalls affecting over 30 million vehicles related to multiple defects.
Announces 'Speak Up for Safety' culture changes
After the recall crisis, Barra instituted new policies and a 'speak up for safety' campaign to encourage employees to report problems and shift company culture.
Assumes office as CEO of General Motors
Officially became CEO of General Motors on January 15, 2014 — the first female head of a major global automaker.
Publishes USA Today opinion piece about recalls
Published an op-ed (March 20, 2014) outlining GM's plan to address recent recalls and safety problems.
Featured on Time cover: '100 Most Influential People'
Featured on the cover of Time magazine's '100 Most Influential People in the World' issue (April 2014).
Testifies before U.S. congressional subcommittee on recalls
Testified before Congress about GM's delayed recalls and the faulty ignition switch linked to fatalities; pledged transparency and change.
Delivers commencement address at University of Michigan
Delivered the commencement address at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) in May 2014 and received an honorary degree.
Joins Stanford University Board of Trustees
Joined the Stanford University Board of Trustees (reported July 2015), returning in a governance role to her MBA alma mater.
GM posts record global sales and net income
Under Barra's leadership, GM reported record global sales and net income in 2015 after the company recovered from bankruptcy and the recall crisis.
Ranked #1 in Fortune's Most Powerful Women (2015)
Ranked first in Fortune's Most Powerful Women list in 2015 (up from #2 in 2014).
Joins Detroit Country Day School Board of Trustees
Appointed to the Board of Trustees of Detroit Country Day School (date reported ~2015), serving in local education governance.
GM acquires Cruise (robotaxi unit)
GM consolidated and grew its autonomous-vehicle strategy by acquiring Cruise (became a key part of GM's AV strategy in 2016).
Elected Chair of GM Board of Directors
Assumed the role of Chair of the GM Board (assumed office January 6, 2016); later the title was made gender-neutral to 'chair'.
Joins President-elect Trump's business forum
Joined a business advisory forum assembled by President-elect Donald Trump to advise on economic issues (Dec 2016).
Highest-paid Detroit Three executive (2017)
Reported as the highest-paid Detroit Three executive in 2017 with total remuneration around $21.96 million for that year.
Ranked #1 on Fortune's Most Powerful Women (2017)
Held the #1 spot on Fortune's Most Powerful Women list in 2017 (also top in 2015 and remained highly ranked in other years).
Elected to Walt Disney Company Board of Directors
Elected to the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company (Aug 24, 2017); became one of the relatively few women on that board.
GM acquires Strobe for driverless technology
GM acquired Strobe, a startup focused on driverless-vehicle technology, to accelerate autonomous-driving capabilities (Oct 2017).
Announces plant closures and 14,000 layoffs
In November 2018 announced closure of five North American plants and cuts of about 14,000 workers; decision drew criticism from political leaders.
Ranked 4th on Forbes Most Powerful Women (2018)
Rose to #4 on Forbes's Most Powerful Women list in 2018, reflecting growing influence in business.
Elected to the National Academy of Engineering
Elected (Feb 2018) to the National Academy of Engineering for leadership in automotive manufacturing and product development.
Receives Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute 'Legend in Leadership' award
Awarded the Legend in Leadership Award by Yale's Chief Executive Leadership Institute in September 2018.
Named to Institutional Investor's All-America Executive Team (Autos)
Topped Institutional Investor's 2019 All-America Executive Team in the autos and auto parts sector.
UAW strike begins (GM) — 40-day walkout
United Auto Workers initiated a 40-day strike against GM (Sept 15–Oct 25, 2019); Barra worked to bring the strike to an end; strike cost estimated ~$1.75B.
Sets carbon-neutral goal for GM by 2040
Under Barra's leadership, GM set a target to become carbon neutral by 2040 as part of a sustainability push.
General Dynamics board membership (past service)
Listed as having served on the General Dynamics board of directors (date not precisely specified in sources).
Joins Duke University Board of Trustees
Named to the Duke University Board of Trustees (reported July 2020), supporting higher-education governance.
Included in Time 100 and Forbes 50 Over 50
Named to Time 100 (2021) and selected for the inaugural Forbes 50 Over 50 list recognizing leaders over age 50.
GM commits to all-electric by 2035 and DEI initiatives
GM set a goal to phase out internal-combustion vehicles and move to an all-electric lineup by 2035; launched inclusive hiring and DEI initiatives.
Elected Chair of Business Roundtable
Elected to serve as Chair of the Business Roundtable (announcement Sept 29, 2021) — first woman to serve in that role; term began Jan 2022.
Delivers commencement address at Duke University
Delivered Duke University's commencement address in 2022 (having received an honorary doctorate from Duke in 2018).
Appointed to Homeland Security Advisory Council
Appointed by the Secretary of Homeland Security to the Homeland Security Advisory Council (March 2022).
States GM priority to accelerate EV plans — aims for EV-only by 2035
In response to shareholder questions (June 2022), Barra emphasized GM's priority to accelerate EV plans and target only offering EVs by 2035.
Receives Larry Foster Award for Integrity in Public Communication
Honored at the Arthur W. Page Center Awards (2023) with the Larry Foster Award for Integrity in Public Communication.
Inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2023 in recognition of her industry leadership and contributions.
GM shifts Cruise strategy (contextual milestone)
After high-profile incidents, GM announced changes to its Cruise robotaxi operations in 2024 and refocused AV development (Britannica noted Cruise shutdown in 2024).
Named 'Most Powerful Woman in Business' by Fortune (2024)
Fortune named Mary Barra the most powerful woman in business in its October 2024 ranking of the top 100 women in business.
Again tops Fortune's Most Powerful Women in Business (May 2025)
In May 2025 Mary Barra again topped Fortune's list as the most powerful woman in business — her fifth time at #1 as GM CEO.
Key Achievement Ages
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