2010 Automotive News 100 Leading Women

Why did you want to work in the auto industry? When General Motors came to campus, and you got an interview, it was like: “Oh, my gosh. That’s the place you want to work.” I interviewed, and they said, “We’d really like to hire you, but we’re in a hiring freeze.” So I moved to Texas, which was where I met my now-husband. I didn’t like Texas, other than him, so I moved back home. The week I moved home, General Motors called my mother and said: “We’re looking for Mary. Do you know where we can find her?” And she said, “She’s right here.” So I got into the business through the strength of the recommendations and really a bit of good luck.