Mary Teresa Barra is an American businesswoman and the Chair and CEO of General Motors (GM), a position she has held since 2014. She made history as the first female CEO of a “Big Three” automaker. Barra’s career at GM began in 1980, and she has led the company through significant technological advancements and challenges, including the transition to electric and autonomous vehicles. With a net worth of over $100 million, Barra is a prominent figure in the automotive industry.
Early Life and Background
Mary Barra was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Finnish-American parents, Viktor and Maria Makela. Her paternal grandfather, Viktor Mäkelä, immigrated to the U.S. from Finland, and her maternal grandmother was a Finnish immigrant from Teuva. Barra’s father, Ray Makela, worked for General Motors, and her mother, Eva Pyykkönen, was a homemaker. Barra was raised in a working-class family with a strong sense of community values, and her upbringing in Michigan, a hub for the automotive industry, would play a critical role in shaping her career.
Her family’s Finnish heritage remained a significant part of her life. Growing up in a modest home, Barra worked hard to achieve academic and career success. She graduated from the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in 1985, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Barra was a standout student, being inducted into prestigious honor societies like Tau Beta Pi and IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu. Following her undergraduate education, she attended the prestigious Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she earned her MBA in 1990, funded by a General Motors fellowship.
Career at General Motors
Mary Barra’s professional journey with General Motors (GM) began when she was just 18 years old. In 1980, Barra worked as a co-op student for GM, inspecting fender panels and hoods, a role that helped pay for her college tuition. Over the years, she steadily advanced within the company, taking on engineering and administrative positions, such as managing GM’s Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly plant. Her work at GM provided her with invaluable experience in the auto industry, setting her up for a career that would eventually see her become the first female CEO of a major automaker.
Barra’s leadership skills were evident early on as she moved through various high-level positions at GM. By 2008, she became vice president of Global Manufacturing Engineering, and in 2009, she was promoted to vice president of Global Human Resources. Her responsibilities continued to expand, and by 2011, she was appointed executive vice president of Global Product Development, where she worked on efforts to streamline GM’s vehicle platforms and improve product quality.
Barra’s successful leadership in these roles earned her recognition within the industry and positioned her to take over the top role at GM. In December 2013, GM announced that Barra would succeed Daniel Akerson as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, making her the first woman to lead a major automaker in the “Big Three.”
As CEO of General Motors
Mary Barra assumed the role of CEO on January 15, 2014. Her leadership was immediately put to the test as GM faced significant challenges, including the recall of 84 million cars due to defective ignition switches, which resulted in multiple fatalities. Barra testified before Congress in 2014, addressing the safety issues that had plagued GM. Her handling of the crisis demonstrated her resilience and commitment to transparency and accountability, though GM’s image suffered during the recall period. In response, she implemented a series of reforms aimed at improving the company’s safety culture, including strengthening processes for reporting safety issues and encouraging more direct communication from workers.
Under Barra’s leadership, GM has undergone substantial transformation, embracing new technologies and industries. She has spearheaded the company’s shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous vehicles, helping GM expand its footprint in the future of transportation. GM acquired Strobe, a driverless tech startup, as part of its push into the autonomous vehicle market. Barra’s decision to transition the company into electric and autonomous vehicles was a major focus of her tenure, with GM aiming to exclusively sell EVs by 2035.
During her time as CEO, Barra faced scrutiny for decisions like the closure of five North American plants and the layoff of 14,000 workers in 2018, a move that was met with criticism from both political figures and the public. Despite the backlash, Barra continued to push GM forward, focusing on long-term sustainability and innovation in the evolving automotive industry.
Key Leadership Decisions
- Safety Recalls: Barra’s first year as CEO was marked by significant challenges, including overseeing a major safety recall. She addressed the crisis head-on by improving GM’s internal processes and culture.
- Electric and Autonomous Vehicles: Barra has championed GM’s transition to EVs, announcing plans for GM to be an all-electric company by 2035. She has also overseen investments in autonomous driving technologies.
- Restructuring: In 2018, GM announced a major restructuring, including the closure of several plants and the cutting of jobs. Despite criticism, Barra’s decision was based on GM’s shift to more profitable vehicles and future technologies.
- Reputation Management: Barra worked hard to rebuild GM’s image, focusing on a culture of transparency and safety following the ignition-switch crisis.
Boards and Councils
In addition to her role at GM, Barra has been involved in several influential boards and councils. She was a member of the board of directors at General Dynamics and has served on various educational and economic boards, including the Detroit Economic Club and the Detroit Country Day School. Barra is also a member of the boards of Stanford University and Duke University.
Her influence extends to the entertainment industry as well; in August 2017, she was appointed to the board of directors of Disney, becoming the 12th person to join the board and the fourth woman. She also joined the Homeland Security Advisory Council in 2022, where she continues to play an advisory role in national security matters.
Awards and Honors
Mary Barra has received numerous accolades for her leadership and influence in business:
- Time 100: She was included in Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2014.
- Forbes: Barra was ranked as the world’s most powerful woman by Forbes in 2015 and 2017.
- Fortune’s Most Powerful Women: Barra topped Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list in 2015 and continued to be a prominent figure in subsequent rankings.
- National Academy of Engineering: Barra was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2018, cementing her reputation as a leader in both the automotive and engineering sectors.
Barra’s numerous accolades reflect not only her business success but also her groundbreaking role as a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Personal Life
Mary Barra is married to Tony Barra, a consultant whom she met while studying at Kettering University. They have two children and live in Northville, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. She is known for her love of cars, especially the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, which she has named as her favorite models.
Despite her demanding career, Barra enjoys spending time with her family and is known to maintain a relatively low profile outside of her professional commitments. Barra also speaks a little Finnish, reflecting her strong connection to her heritage.
Conclusion
Mary Barra’s leadership of General Motors has made her one of the most influential women in business. As the first female CEO of a major automaker, she has shattered glass ceilings in an industry that has historically been dominated by men. Her strategic decisions have shaped GM’s future, steering the company through significant challenges and embracing new technologies, particularly in the fields of electric and autonomous vehicles. Barra’s success and influence extend beyond GM, as she continues to be a role model for women in business and a powerful voice in the corporate world.
