Mary Barra

Mary Barra is an American business executive who has made history as the first female CEO of a major global automaker. Born on December 24, 1961, in Royal Oak, Michigan, she began her career at General Motors (GM) at the age of 18 as a co-op student. Over the years, she held various engineering and administrative positions, including managing the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly plant. In 2014, she was appointed CEO of GM, becoming the first woman to lead a major global automaker .

Under Barra's leadership, GM has focused on innovation and sustainability, with a vision to create a world with zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion. She has been instrumental in steering the company towards electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies, emphasizing the importance of safety and customer value. Her leadership has been recognized globally, with Barra being listed among Forbes' Most Powerful Women and inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2023 .

One of Mary Barra's notable quotes is, “Do every job you're in like you're going to do it for the rest of your life, and demonstrate that ownership of it,” reflecting her commitment to excellence and responsibility. Another insightful statement from her is, “The only sure-fire way you get a reputation for fairness in any organization is to practice it consistently,” highlighting the importance of integrity in leadership .