Mary Barra

Benjamin Wachenje

Title: CEO, General Motors

Born: December 24, 1961, Waterford, Michigan

Education: BS in electrical engineering, General Motors Institute (now Kettering University); MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business

Early Marker: GM-lifer, first hired as an 18-year-old co-op student

Big Idea: As the first female CEO of a top automaker, she is bringing disciplined streamlining to GM's culture, engineering and product design and development so it can compete in the global auto market.

Wave of the Future: Emerging-markets consumers, U.S.-China commercial competition, eco-friendly transportation

Latest Special Reports

  • CNBC Changemakers

    CNBC Changemakers: Women Transforming Business is an annual list spotlighting women whose accomplishments have left an indelible mark on the business world.

  • A look at 50 private companies set to reshape the business landscape.

  • Automation, AI and machine learning will radically influence the relationship between employers and their workforce.

CNBC25: Rebels, Icons and Leaders