Early Life
Mary Teresa Barra was born on December 24, 1961, in Royal Oak, Michigan, to parents of Finnish descent. Her grandfather, Viktor Mäkelä, moved to the United States and married Maria Saarinen, a Finnish immigrant from Teuva. They lived in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, and had two children, including a son. Reino Päiviö “Ray” Mäkelä (1915–2006) married Eva Elizabeth Pyykkönen (1923–2004) in 1959, and Mary Teresa Mäkelä was their second child. Her father worked for 39 years as a tool and die maker at GM’s Pontiac Motor Division.
Barra’s mother was a passionate advocate for higher education for both their son, Paul, and daughter. She instilled in Mary the value of education, which would play a significant role in her future career.
Rise
Barra began her career with General Motors (GM) in 1980 as a co-op student when she was 18 years old. Her job was checking fender panels and inspecting hoods, and she used this job to pay for her college tuition. After completing her education, she held various engineering and administrative positions, including managing the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly plant.
In February 2008, she became vice president of Global Manufacturing Engineering. In July 2009, she advanced to the position of vice president of Global Human Resources, which she held until February 2011 when she was named executive vice president of Global Product Development. In August 2013, her vice president responsibility was extended to include Global Purchasing and Supply Chain.
General Motors
Barra’s career at GM saw her rise through the ranks, culminating in her appointment as the CEO of General Motors in January 2014. This made her the first female head of an automobile manufacturer.
Challenges and Testimony
During her first year as CEO, General Motors issued 84 safety recalls involving over 30 million cars. Barra was called before the Senate to testify about the recalls and deaths attributed to the faulty ignition switch.
Barra and General Motors also came under suspicion of paying for awards to burnish the CEO and corporation’s image during this time. Despite these challenges, Barra’s leadership and commitment to safety have been commended.
Education
Barra graduated from the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in 1985, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. She was inducted into the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi (MI Zeta class of 1985) and the honor society IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (Theta Epsilon chapter 1983) while at Kettering University. She then attended Stanford Graduate School of Business on a GM fellowship, receiving a Master of Business Administration degree in 1990.
Turning Point
The safety recalls and subsequent Senate hearing in 2014 marked a significant turning point in Barra’s tenure as CEO. While the issues were challenging, they provided an opportunity for Barra to demonstrate her leadership and commitment to safety. The hearings allowed Barra to address the concerns directly, and her responses were generally well-received.
Legacy
Barra’s legacy at General Motors is still being written, but her appointment as the first female CEO of an automobile manufacturer is a significant achievement. Under her leadership, GM has focused on innovation, safety, and sustainability. The company has made strides in electric vehicles, autonomous driving technology, and advanced safety features.
Aftermath
Following the safety recalls, GM implemented a series of changes to improve its safety protocols. This included the creation of a Customer Care and Aftersales division to handle customer complaints more effectively. Barra also established a new safety board to oversee safety issues and ensure transparency.
Wider Significance
Barra’s leadership at GM has broader implications for the automotive industry and beyond. Her appointment as CEO broke a glass ceiling, inspiring other women and underrepresented groups in the industry. Her focus on safety and innovation has also set a new standard for other companies to follow.
Sources
– Mary Barra – The Wall Street Journal
