Grace D. Lieblein
President and Managing Director
General Motors do Brasil
Grace D. Lieblein has been appointed president and managing director of General
Motors do Brasil effective June 1, 2011. Since December 1, 2008, Lieblein was the
president and managing director of General Motors de Mexico (GMM). Lieblein was the
18th GMM President and Managing Director, and the first woman to serve in that role.
In addition to her position at GM, in January 2010 she was appointed to the Board of
Directors of the American Chamber Mexico, and in May 2010, she was named Vice
President of the Board.
Previous to her current position, since October 1, 2004, Lieblein was Global Vehicle
Chief Engineer-Front Wheel Drive Trucks for the Product Development organization.
Lieblein began her GM career in 1978 as a co-op student at General Motors Assembly
Division in Los Angeles, CA. She remained a co-op in Los Angeles until 1980 when she
transferred to Oldsmobile in Lansing, MI and was named industrial engineer in 1984.
In 1990, she was assigned to the position of superintendent of Manufacturing with the
Buick-Oldsmobile-Chevrolet Group in Warren. In 1993, she was appointed director of
Validation and Test at Lansing Automotive Assembly Division.
In 1996, she was transferred to the GM Desert Proving Ground in Mesa, Arizona and
was named manager of Vehicle Development and Technical Operations - Engineering
Centers. In 1999, Lieblein was appointed director of Engineering Design for General
Motors North America Car Group.
From April 1, 2003 through October 1, 2004, Lieblein was the Global Manufacturing
System Implementation Leader for General Motors North American Engineering.
Lieblein received a master's degree in management - materials/logistics from Michigan
State University in 1987 and a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Kettering
University in 1983.
Lieblein is the highest-ranking Latina at GM and the company’s first Latina vehicle chief
engineer.
Lieblein has been widely recognized for her achievements, including:
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In 2010, she was recognized by Financial Times magazine, as one of the top 100
women in world business in a group of “The Ones to Watch”.
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In 2010, she was Second on the list of the Most Powerful Women CEOs in Latin
America by America Economy Magazine
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In, 2010 She was recognized as one of the top 100 Women in the Automotive
Industry by Automotive News
In 2010, Expansion Magazine placed her in the second position of the “Top 50
powerful women in Mexico”
In 2009, she was recognized as one of the 100 Influentials, by Hispanic
Business
In 2009, Expansion Magazine placed her in the second position of the “Top 50
powerful women in Mexico”
In 2008, Corporate Achievement Award by the Society of Hispanic Professional
Engineers (SHPE)
In 2008, Engineering Achievement Award by the President of the Kettering/GMI
Alumni Association
In 2008, Woman of Leadership Award by South Florida Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce's (SFHCC)
In 2007, nominated for top 5 “Women of the Year” Award by Hispanic Business
Magazine
In 2006, received the UGS, Global Diversity Council Award
In 2005, received the “Speed Demon” from Rick Wagoner
In 2005, Automotive News named Lieblein as one of the Top 100 Women in the
Auto Industry. Also Lieblein was named “Latino Executive of the Year” as part of
the 2006 Urban Wheels Awards.
In 2004, the Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Conference
(HENNAC) awarded Lieblein with its Professional Achievement Award.
In 2003 and 2005, the Hispanic Engineer & Informational Technology magazine
recognized Lieblein as one of the most powerful Hispanics in business and
technology.
In 2001, 2003, and 2005, Hispanic Business magazine recognized Lieblein as
one of the top 50 businesswomen in the United States.