Inforum Presents a Conversation with GM's Mary Barra: One of the Auto Industry's Most Influential Women

DETROIT, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mary Barra knows the pulse of the car business. In fact, as the leader of General Motors' global product development team, it's her job to get that pulse racing. She leads the design and engineering of GM vehicles worldwide – with the goal of bringing those new cars, trucks and crossovers to market in record time and with the most compelling designs and highest quality possible.

As Inforum's keynote speaker on March 14 at the Detroit Marriott at GM's Renaissance Center headquarters, Barra will reflect back on her first year at the helm of GM's product development team, discuss the pipeline of new GM products, and offer some lessons learned along the way of her accomplished GM career.

"This is a year of transformation as Inforum celebrates its history over five decades and sets the stage for the next 50 years," said Terry Barclay, president and CEO of Inforum and Inforum Center for Leadership. "How fortunate we are to launch Inforum's year-long celebration with an exceptional leader and role model like Mary Barra. As the highest ranking woman in the auto industry at the world's largest auto maker, she is helping shape GM's future for years to come."

Along with her GM responsibilities and outside board and charitable activities, Barra serves on the board of Inforum Center for Leadership, the education and research arm of Inforum.

"I'm very honored to be associated with Inforum and to help kick off their 50th anniversary activities," Barra said.  "I look forward to sharing some product and business insights about today's GM at this prestigious forum."

Event Details
Date: March 14
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Cost: $50 for Inforum members; $65 for nonmembers

Register for the event at www.inforummichigan.org

About Mary Barra
Mary Barra's early experience and training led to a wide-ranging career at General Motors that included leadership roles in varied critical parts of GM's vast operation. Barra was named senior vice president, global product development effective Feb. 1, 2011, responsible for the design, engineering, program management and quality of vehicles for GM's vehicles around the world. She is a member of the Executive Committee and reports to CEO, Daniel Akerson. Barra is also a member of the Opel Supervisory Board.

Prior to her global product development appointment, Barra was  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's degree in electrical engineering. In 1988, Barra received a GM fellowship to the Stanford Graduate School of Business and in 1990 graduated with a master's degree in business administration. She serves on the General Dynamics and Inforum Center for Leadership boards of directors. Barra is also on the Kettering University Board of Trustees.

About Inforum

Inforum is the leading professional organization focused on creating strategic connections and accelerating careers for women throughout Michigan and the Midwest. Inforum serves a broad range of professional women at different stages of their careers – from emerging leaders, to high-potential executives, entrepreneurs, and corporate board leaders. Inforum has offices in Detroit and Grand Rapids with operations in Kalamazoo and Lansing. For more information, visit www.inforummichigan.org or call 877.633.3500.

SOURCE Inforum