Introduction

Mary Barra is the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors, a position she has held since January 2016. She is leading the company’s drive towards innovation, sustainability, and a future of zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion.

Early Career and Rise Through GM

Mary Barra began her career at General Motors in 1980 as a co-op student, gaining practical engineering experience that laid the foundation for her future leadership roles. Over the next four decades, she held diverse positions across engineering, manufacturing, and product development. Her progression within the company led to her appointment as Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. Her extensive background equipped her with deep operational knowledge and the ability to lead complex initiatives within GM.

As CEO and Chair

Barra made history in December 2013 when she was appointed CEO, becoming the first woman to lead a major global automaker. She officially assumed the role in January 2014 and was later elected Chair of GM’s Board in 2016, ensuring alignment between management and the board. At the time of her appointment, she was one amongst the only 23 women leading Fortune 500 companies. Over a decade later, as of 2025, she is one of the longest-serving female CEOs.

Leadership Style and Corporate Vision

Known for smart decision-making, hands-on leadership, and a commitment to inclusion and corporate ethics, Barra emphasizes collaboration, open dialogue, and mentoring women and underrepresented groups. Some of the major tenets of her leadership were empowering employees to report problems without fear, a focus on transparency, and creating a culture change within GM that prioritized safety above everything else.

Early in her tenure, Barra faced the ignition switch safety crisis, which involved over 800,000 small vehicles being recalled by GM due to faulty ignition switches that could disable the engine and airbags- causing numerous accidents. This became a defining moment for her leadership.

After this, Barra launched the Speak Up for Safety program, which called for all employees to call out any possible safety concern which caught their attention, emphasising that the customer is of utmost priority for everyone working at GM.

She also commissioned an independent investigation by GM to probe the root cause of this safety crisis, and ensured that they were transparent about the findings to the public. The number of recalls by GM also increased under her leadership, in line with her message that she prioritised safety even if it led to financial hits for the company or difficult questions from the public.

This approach reinforced her belief that leadership requires not only strategic vision but also ethical responsibility.

Driving Innovation: Electric and Autonomous Vehicles

Under Barra’s leadership, GM has aggressively shifted towards electric vehicles and advanced technologies. She is leading GM’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2040 and to offer an all-electric lineup by 2035. Barra has championed the development of electric models like the Chevrolet Bolt and invested heavily in autonomous driving technologies, positioning GM at the forefront of the industry’s transition to clean energy and personal mobility innovation.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Barra aims to make GM “the most inclusive employer in the world,” attracting a diverse workforce and providing professional development opportunities across all levels. Her leadership has been recognized for advancing diversity and inclusion within the automotive sector, which had not seen a great deal of female leadership in the past.

Recognition and Influence

Mary Barra is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential women in business and the automotive industry. She has been inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2023, and been the recipient of many well-deserved honours. Beyond GM, she serves on the boards of the Walt Disney Company and Duke University, further highlighting her broad leadership impact.

Compensation Reflecting Leadership

In 2024, Mary Barra’s annual remuneration was approximately $29.5 million, placing her among the highest-paid CEOs according to available sources. This reflects her critical role and the company’s strong financial performance.

Conclusion

Mary Barra’s leadership has transformed General Motors, demonstrating that innovation and integrity are essential for long-term success. Her commitment to safety, diversity, and sustainability sets a powerful example for the industry’s future.