Mary Barra joined GM as a college student in 1980. 34 years later, she became the first woman to lead a major automaker as CEO

Mary Barra’s career at General Motors began after a placement at the Pontiac Motor Division in 1980 when she was still in college. Then by January 2014 she had risen to the automaker’s top job as she became the first woman to lead a major global automaker.

Her journey to the CEO’s office took more than three decades. Because Barra worked her way through GM moving from engineering, manufacturing and then into senior management before taking charge of the company. So her rise was not because of single promotion but a series of roles that expanded her responsibilities over time.

College Co-op Placement Became Start of a Long Career

Barra had joined GM’s cooperative education program while studying at the General Motors Institute which is now known as Kettering University. The program gave her the opportunity to combine classroom learning with work at the Pontiac Motor Division.


She graduated with bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1985. Then five years later, she earned an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. After her education completed Barra continued at GM and took on increasingly senior positions.

Mary Barra’s Career From Manufacturing Engineering to the Executive Team

Barra had become vice president of Global Manufacturing Engineering in 2008. She then later moved into human resources and served as vice president of Global Human Resources. The change broadened her experience beyond engineering and production. Then in February 2011, she was named senior vice president of Global Product Development.

Her responsibilities grew again in August 2013 when GM appointed her executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. The role placed her among the company’s senior executives.

GM Named Barra CEO in December 2013

GM announced Barra’s appointment in December 2013. She officially took over on Janurary 15, 2014. She succeeded Dan Akerson.

The appointment made her the first woman to lead a major global automaker. By the time she took the job, Barra had spent nearly 34 years at the automaker.

Barra Added the Board Chair Role in 2016

Two years after becoming CEO, she took on another leadership responsibility. In January 2016, GM’s board of directors elected her chair and she also continued as chief executive while also leading the board.

As per GM’s official leadership biography, Barra is a chair and CEO. Her career at the company had began with a co-op placement while she was still in college. It then brought her to the top of both its executive leadership and board.