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Taking Charge of the Road
Global Vehicle Chief Engineer, Grace Lieblein

It wasn’t so long ago that women rarely sat in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. Times have changed, and Grace Lieblein is a shining example of how women are taking the wheel and cruising into the future. As the global vehicle chief engineer for front wheel trucks, Lieblein is the highest-ranking Latina at General Motors (GM) and a role model for Latinas—and all women—hoping to break barriers in their careers and in traditionally male-dominated fields.

To Lieblein, however, her accomplishments have not come as much of a surprise; she was practically born for her job. She’s always had a love of vehicles, she says, because her father worked at a GM assembly plant in the Los Angeles area. Coupled with her natural inclination for math, science and engineering—a career option Lieblein’s brother-in-law introduced her to—was a natural fit. “My sister’s husband was an engineer, and he talked to me about what they do. Then my father encouraged me to look at the GM Institute (GMI), a co-op school (now Kettering University),” Lieblein says.

Gearing Up

The late 1970s was certainly a time when more women were attending college, but men dominated the field of engineering. Though men were the majority, this didn’t discourage Lieblein, who says she always knew she would go to college and have a career. “My mom was a paralegal. I think that was one reason I always found myself working. My mom was my role model, and I saw her have an exciting, rewarding career, and I wanted that for myself,” she says.

As a student at GMI, Lieblein was part of a small minority, as a woman, a Latina and a Californian in the middle of Michigan. She was surprised to find that being a West Coast native would differentiate her as much as it did. “It was another difference that I didn’t expect and that almost transcended the other differences,” she says. Although she had been anxious to leave California and experience something new, Lieblein found herself homesick and questioning her ability to succeed during her first year. Fortunately, the co-op program moved her between school in Michigan and the plant in Los Angeles every few months. She also had tremendous support from her family. “My parents really inspired me. My mom always raised me with the belief that I can do anything,” she says. “I credit my parents with how they raised me and the confidence they gave me when I was growing up.”

Midway through college, Lieblein married her husband and being away from her own family became less challenging. After five years, she completed the GMI program and went to work as an industrial engineer for GM. At that point, she knew her long-term goal was to move into management, but she didn’t imagine that she would become the highest-ranking Latina to hold GM’s first Latina chief vehicle engineer. “I’ve never been one to ask, ‘What’s next?’ outside of big picture goals,” she says. “Ninety-nine percent [of an employee’s responsibility] is to do a great job; one percent is to keep your eyes open and look out for yourself.… I’m really thankful for leadership, for seeing potential in me and giving me opportunities to grow.”

“Grace’s career and personal achievements are a testament to her leadership and ability to bring people together to make a difference. GM is truly committed to the growth of our employees, and we are honored that one of our own has been recognized,” said Edward Koemer, vice president of North America Engineering for General Motors when Lieblein received the Urban Wheels Award.

Work hard, Play equally

With a continually demanding career, a husband, also an engineer for GM, and a teenage daughter, keeping a healthy balance is Lieblein’s challenge. According to Lieblein, balance means different things to different people. “I think balance is not a stable thing throughout life. As personal life changes, as your career changes, the balance changes,” she explains. One thing that never changed was prioritizing family.

“I really value our family life. We have a really special family unit,” she says. When her daughter was in elementary school, Lieblein served as class mom and Girl Scout leader and went on class field trips with her. The secret, she reveals, is that she didn’t try to do them all at the same time, but rather to concentrate her efforts on one thing at a time. “I don’t believe in regret, but I feel comfortable that I can look back and feel good about where I put my priorities,” she says.

But it’s all been a team effort. “My husband is the most wonderful man in the world. He’s a wonderful partner and a great father,” she says. “To me, that’s important because I can’t do it all and with him I don’t have to.”

Outside of her treasured family unit, Lieblein also finds time to nurture other women and Latinas at GM and in engineering in general. “I’m a firm believer that part of my job is to pave the way for those who follow me because I was helped as well,” she says. She is active in GM’s affinity groups for women and Hispanics. “[Through the groups] I try to help prepare our women in engineering so they’re better poised to make it in their careers,” she says. She also maintains ongoing personal mentoring relationships with as many as 9 people and tries to serve as an informal mentor when she sees the opportunity.

“We need more women in these fields, and we need more women influence because we [women] are consumers,” she explains. “Part of creating a good product is capturing what consumers want.”

Down the Road

In her latest position, Lieblein is keenly aware of serving the consumer. As part of a restructuring plan, GM is banking on several new endeavors, such as “crossover” vehicles, with Lieblein at the helm of engineering the 2008 Enclave, Buick’s first luxury crossover vehicle. It’s her most challenging undertaking so far, and the best job she’s had, she says. “I see them on the road and think, ‘That’s my vehicle,’” she says, whereas before, she could only lay claim to certain parts or functions of vehicles.

None of this means she’ll hit the brakes on her career. She always believes in taking “stretch” positions that take her out of the comfort zone and present new personal tests. With her daughter heading to college soon, Lieblein might keep her eyes open for opportunities to spread her wings even further. “Perhaps I’ll consider an international assignment. It would be a good adventure after our daughter graduates,” she says. “Whatever is next, I’d like to continue to contribute, have fun and add value.” Given her track record, the road to further success is wide open.
 

By Diana A. Terry-Azios