GM's Innovation Journey with Mary Barra

At the inaugural CNBC Councils: Leaders' Library, Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, and Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM, shared insights on female leadership, spurred by Rometty's book, "Good Power." Despite the underrepresentation of women in CEO roles—only about 10% in Fortune 500 and S&P 500—both leaders initially avoided emphasizing their gender in their careers. Barra reflected on her journey from manufacturing to CEO, noting that she often overlooked her status as the only woman in early roles. It wasn't until she became CEO that she recognized the significance of her position. Rometty, influenced by her mother's resilience in overcoming poverty, emphasized the importance of retaining women in the workforce. She acknowledged her own hesitations in accepting job offers due to self-doubt, advocating for women to pursue opportunities without fear. Both leaders highlighted the need for women to embrace their potential and not shy away from leadership roles. As the automotive industry undergoes significant transformation, Barra is at the forefront, aiming to double GM's revenues by the decade's end while leading in electric vehicle (EV) sales and autonomous technology. She will discuss these ambitious goals at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, where industry leaders gather to share ideas and innovations. The event, taking place from October 28 to 30 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, will provide a platform for Barra to elaborate on GM's strategies for talent acquisition and its approach to investing in startups like Cruise, further shaping the future of the automotive sector.