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Mary Barra, chair and CEO of General Motors (GM), has led the company through significant transformations over the past decade. Growing up in Detroit, where her father worked as a die maker at GM, Barra developed an early interest in automobiles. "Every now and again, he would get to bring home a vehicle, and I distinctly remember the whole neighborhood would come over to check it out," she recalls. This early exposure sparked her lifelong passion for GM and engineering.

Barra's tenure at GM has been marked by an aggressive growth strategy, particularly in electric vehicle manufacturing. Under her leadership, GM has exceeded analyst expectations in 35 of the last 36 quarters. Before becoming CEO, Barra held several key positions within the company, including executive vice president for global product development, purchasing, and supply chain.

In recognition of her contributions to management leadership, Barra received the 2024 Ernest C. Arbuckle Award from Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). Reflecting on her upbringing during the Great Depression, she credits her parents with instilling a strong work ethic and belief in the American Dream. "My mother instilled in us that if you work hard, you can do or be anything that you set your mind to," she says.

Barra's career at GM includes overseeing global product development and leading teams responsible for vehicle design and quality. She expresses a deep connection with all GM vehicles but highlights the Chevrolet Equinox EV as a current favorite due to its potential to attract new electric vehicle customers.

During her early days as CEO, Barra faced the ignition switch crisis—a challenging period that underscored the importance of accountability and customer safety. "We had to address it by accepting full responsibility," she notes. This experience led to comprehensive safety reviews and cultural changes within GM aimed at preventing future issues.

Barra emphasizes that behaviors shape corporate culture: "Culture change requires hard work, persistence, and determination." She believes these efforts are crucial for positioning GM for a future focused on electric vehicles (EVs), software-defined systems, and autonomous driving technologies.

Looking ahead, Barra is optimistic about GM's prospects. She highlights a diverse leadership team committed to shared goals rooted in integrity and customer focus. Third-party forecasts predict continued growth in EV deliveries, supported by favorable policies and expanding public charging infrastructure.

Reflecting on her time at Stanford GSB, Barra acknowledges how it broadened her perspective: "I learned to see the world from a different perspective." These experiences have influenced her approach to fostering innovation and valuing diverse viewpoints within GM.

Photos by John F. Martin for General Motors

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