
Mary Barra
CEO of General Motors, whose compensation is contrasted with Elon Musk's. She received significant pay while GM's stock price remained flat, an example cited of 'crony capitalism'.
First Mentioned
1/4/2026, 4:02:33 AM
Last Updated
1/4/2026, 4:07:39 AM
Research Retrieved
1/4/2026, 4:07:39 AM
Summary
Mary Barra is an American business executive who has served as the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors (GM) since January 15, 2014, making her the first woman to lead a 'Big Three' automaker. Her career at GM began in 1980 as a co-op student, and she ascended through numerous leadership roles, including Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing, and Supply Chain. Under her tenure, GM has pursued a strategic vision of 'zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion,' involving cross-industry collaborations such as electric vehicle charging initiatives with Elon Musk. However, her leadership has also faced public criticism; notably, she was cited in the All-In Podcast as an example of 'Crony Capitalism' due to her executive compensation and the company's share buyback strategies, a critique echoed by reports from The Wall Street Journal.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Education
MBA from Stanford University (1990); B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University (1985)
Full Name
Mary Teresa Barra (née Makela)
Citizenship
United States
Distinction
First female CEO of a 'Big Three' automaker
Date of Birth
1961-12-24
Place of Birth
Waterford, Michigan, United States
Current Position
Chair and CEO of General Motors
Total Compensation (2017)
22,000,000 USD, measuring the annual executive pay including salary, stock awards, and bonuses
Timeline
- Born in Waterford, Michigan, United States. (Source: Wikidata)
1961-12-24
- Began her career with General Motors as a co-op student at the Pontiac Motor Division. (Source: GM Official Leadership Bio)
1980-01-01
- Graduated from Stanford University Graduate School of Business with an MBA. (Source: LinkedIn Profile)
1990-01-01
- Appointed Plant Manager of the Detroit Hamtramck Assembly. (Source: LinkedIn Profile)
2003-01-01
- Named Vice President of Global Human Resources at General Motors. (Source: LinkedIn Profile)
2009-01-01
- Named Senior Vice President of Global Product Development. (Source: LinkedIn Profile)
2011-01-01
- General Motors announced Barra would succeed Daniel Akerson as CEO following his retirement. (Source: Wikipedia)
2013-12-10
- Officially assumed the role of CEO of General Motors, becoming the first woman to lead a major global automaker. (Source: Wikipedia)
2014-01-15
- Elected as the Chair of the General Motors Board of Directors. (Source: GM Official Leadership Bio)
2016-01-04
- Reported to have received approximately 22,000,000 USD in total annual compensation. (Source: Web Search Results)
2017-12-31
- Cited in episode 164 of the All-In Podcast as an example of flawed executive compensation and share buyback strategies in a discussion on 'Crony Capitalism'. (Source: Document 3f435d8e-7f67-4be0-a2d8-51c7c89a9071)
2024-02-02
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaMary Barra
Mary Teresa Barra (née Makela; born December 24, 1961) is an American businesswoman who has been the chair and chief executive officer (CEO) of General Motors since January 15, 2014. She is the first female CEO of a 'Big Three' automaker. In December 2013, GM named her to succeed Daniel Akerson as CEO. Prior to being named CEO, Barra was executive vice president of global product development, purchasing, and supply chain.
Web Search Results
- Mary Barra - Wikipedia
**Mary Teresa Barra** (née **Makela**; born December 24, 1961) is an American businesswoman who has been the chair and chief executive officer (CEO) of General Motors since January 15, 2014. 4. ^ ***a*** ***b*** "Dan Akerson to Retire as GM CEO in January 2014 Mary Barra to Become Next CEO; Dan Ammann Named President". "Mary Barra: GM's next CEO?". 8. **^** "A Look at Mary Barra, GM's First Female CEO". **^** "GM CEO Mary Barra says too many women quit their jobs for the wrong reason". **^** "Rebuilding a Giant: Mary Barra, CEO, General Motors". **^** "GM CEO Mary Barra says too many women quit their jobs for the wrong reason". "GM paid CEO Mary Barra nearly $22M in 2017". **^** "Detroit Country Day School announces new trustees, including GM CEO Mary Barra". "GM CEO Mary Barra joins Detroit Country Day School Board of Trustees". "GM CEO Barra joins Stanford University board". **^** "GM CEO Mary Barra Joins Disney's Board Amid Successor Search".
- Mary Barra | General Motors
Mary Barra is Chair and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors. She was elected Chair of the GM Board of Directors in 2016 and has served as CEO of GM since 2014. Prior to becoming CEO, Barra served as GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, and as senior vice president, Global Product Development. In these roles, Barra and her teams were responsible for the design, engineering and quality of GM vehicle launches worldwide. Barra began her career with GM in 1980 as a General Motors Institute (Kettering University) co-op student at the Pontiac Motor Division. Barra serves on the Board of Directors of the Walt Disney Company, the Duke University Board of Trustees and the Detroit Economic Club. This is a div used for identification purpose on the lightbox. ## Oops, Your lightbox has reached it's max. It is recommended that you download your current lightbox contents and clear its assets to add more. Go to my lightbox | I understand & close window.
- Mary Barra - Automotive Hall of Fame
Mary Barra made history in 2014 when she became the first female CEO of General Motors (GM), one of the biggest automakers in the world.
- Mary Barra - Chair and Chief Executive Officer at General ...
Mary Barra Chair and Chief Executive Officer at General Motors Detroit Metropolitan Area 500 connections, 1463425 followers About General Motors Chair and CEO leading an outstanding team with the ambition, talent and technology to create a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. Experience Chair and Chief Executive Officer [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) Jan 2016 - Present Greater Detroit Area Responsible for leading the Board of Directors, establishing General Motors' strategic direction and managing the company’s day-to-day global operations, including vehicle sales in more than 125 countries. <br> <br> Driving General Motors to become the global industry leader in automotive technology and design, product quality and safety, customer experience and business results. <br> <br> Leading the company toward a future of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. <!----> Chief Executive Officer [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) Jan 2014 - Jan 2016 None Responsible for day-to-day management of GM’s global operations. <br> <br> Achieved record global sales, earnings and net income in 2015. <br> <br> Redefined the company’s purpose and values, putting the customer at the center of everything GM does. <!----> Executive Vice President – Global Product Development [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 2013 - 2014 None Led the Global Product Development function responsible for Design, Engineering, Program Management and Purchasing, Supply Chain and Logistics. <!----> Senior Vice President – Global Product Development [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 2011 - 2013 None Led the Global Product Development function responsible for Design, Engineering, Program Management and Quality. <!----> Vice President – Global Human Resources [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 2009 - 2011 None Led the HR function globally during a period of unprecedented change. Redefined talent management, leadership development, compensation, benefits, health care, organizational transformation and other HR systems. <!----> Vice President – Global Manufacturing Engineering [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 2008 - 2009 None Transformed Global Manufacturing Engineering operations. Drove streamlining initiative recognized by the United States Treasury and major consulting groups for delivering “industry-leading flexibility strategy at benchmark investment levels.” <!----> Executive Director – Vehicle Manufacturing Engineering [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 2004 - 2008 None Built an industry-leading Manufacturing Engineering organization. Integrated six independent groups into one manufacturing engineering operation to quickly improve performance and support product development. <!----> Plant Manager, Detroit Hamtramck Assembly [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 2003 - 2004 None Executive Director, Competitive Operations Engineering – Vehicle Operations [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 2001 - 2003 None General Director, Internal Communications – Corporate Staffs [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 1999 - 2001 None Executive Assistant to the Chairman & Vice Chairman [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 1996 - 1999 None Manager, Manufacturing Planning – Midsize Car Division [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 1993 - 1996 None Senior Staff Engineer, Operations Engineering Services – Chevrolet–Pontiac–Canada Group [General Motors](https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-motors?trk=public_profile_experience-group-header) 1990 - 1993 None Education Stanford University Graduate School of Business MBA, Business 1988 - 1990 None
- Mary Barra (@mtbarra) / Posts / X
Image 3: Opens profile photo. Everybody in: @mtbarra & @elonmusk discuss the future of EV charging. Image 11: Square profile picture. We want to bring #EverybodyIn to the all-electric future, and cross-industry collaboration is essential to that goal. Everybody in: @mtbarra & @elonmusk discuss the future of EV charging. Image 19: 🤩 I can’t wait until July 18, when we share the details with the world. Image 23: Square profile picture. ’s truck leadership with everything an EV truck built on our Ultium platform can do – incredible towing capacity, impressive range and more. This is electric truck dominance, delivered. Sierra Denali #EV are the most recent examples of. ’s strategy to build a full portfolio of incredible #EVs. I'm so proud of the GM team as they deliver on our vision. Sign up now to get your own personalized timeline! By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, including Cookie Use.
Wikidata
View on WikidataAward
Image
Gender
Educated At
Instance Of
Occupation
Citizenship
Date Of Birth
12/24/1961Place Of Birth
DBPedia
View on DBPedia
Location Data
Kilbarry, Dublin Pike, St. Mary's, Cork, County Cork, Munster, T23 CV63, Éire / Ireland
Coordinates: 51.9249684, -8.4719701
Open Map