Mary Barra was named Senior Vice President, Global Product Development effective February 1, 2011, responsible for the design, engineering, program management and quality for GM’s vehicles around the world.  She is a member of the Executive Operations Committee and reports to Chairman and CEO, Daniel Akerson. She also became a member of the Adam Opel AG Supervisory Board in January, 2012.

Prior to this appointment, Barra had most recently been Vice President, Global Human Resources since July 30, 2009.  

She has also served as GM Vice President, Global Manufacturing Engineering; Plant Manager, Detroit Hamtramck Assembly; Executive Director of Competitive Operations Engineering, and several other engineering and staff positions.  

Barra began her career with General Motors in 1980 as a General Motors Institute (Kettering University) co-op student at the Pontiac Motor Division. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. In 1988, Barra received a GM fellowship to the Stanford Graduate School of Business and in 1990 graduated with a Masters in Business Administration.

She serves on the General Dynamics and Inforum Center For Leadership Board of Directors.  Barra is also on the Kettering University Board of Trustees and is Key Executive for Stanford University.   

Barra was born December 24, 1961, and is married with two children.

Revised: 02/12