TRAILBLAZER
Mary Barra
Joining 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 .”
Job Title : CEO Company : General Motors
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 .
16 December 2021