Congratulations to Jess Bala, Managing Director at General Motors Australia & New Zealand, Our November Member of the Month!

on November 26, 2024

Can you tell us a little about you, your background and how you got started in the automotive industry?
Mum to 3 young kids (7yo and 4yo twins), I have a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Commerce degree plus an MBA. I started at General Motors (Holden) in 2007 straight out of university on their internship program. During my career I have worked for GM, both in Australia and at GM’s HQ in Detroit, Michigan. My experience includes roles in a range of functions including marketing, sales, product planning and spent time as Mary Barra’s Chief of Staff
What is your current role, and what are your primary responsibilities within your organisation?
Managing Director for GM Australia and New Zealand. My main responsibilities are to manage our brands and portfolio (Cadillac, GMSV, Aftersales) and ensure we bring to market vehicles that customers are asking for.
How do you manage work-life balance while pursuing career advancement in a demanding industry like automotive?
I try my best to lead by example and demonstrate that it’s ok to have priorities outside of work. This means that I try to prioritise activities for my kids, ensuring that I am present for dinner time and bed time and showing my team that it’s ok to put major life events first when they arise. I also try to focus and determine what is high priority for work vs what can wait to ensure that both work and home life can play the role they need to.
How have mentors and sponsors played a role in your career, and how do you recommend finding and cultivating these relationships?
My mentors and sponsors have played a critical role in my career and something that I really try to ‘pay forward’ now that I am in a leadership position myself. I have always placed a lot of trust in my mentors and sponsors when it comes to what is the best next step in my career. Almost all the roles I have had at GM were recommendations or placements made by my mentors and sponsors based on what they saw as my strengths, gaps and being able to progress. For me personally, I have found that I get the most out of these relationships if I can talk openly and form relationships built on trust, therefore in my opinion you need to ‘click’ with your mentor or sponsor to get the most value out of these relationships .
Have you ever considered changing career path? What kept you in the automotive industry?
No, not at all. My passion for cars started at a young age as I remember attending Auto Shows with my dad. And now, being a part of an organisation that shapes the future of the transportation industry is incredibly exciting. Especially when the automotive industry is going through its biggest transformation since horse and buggy to internal combustion engines!
How do you support and empower other women in your organisation to achieve their career goals?
I like to remind women that they too can have a career, a family and achieve success, it doesn’t have to be one of the other. I do this by listening to how other women are feeling, sharing my own story, and not shying away from how I felt at these decision points in my life to show it’s not uncommon. I also remind my team that I support flexibility in the workplace allowing employees to attend and support family events when needed.
How do you respond to those who say the automotive industry is still a "man's world"?
I feel the best way to respond to this is by demonstrating success. As women continue to achieve great things within the automotive industry, I truly believe success speaks for itself. GM is a great example of this as we have the industry’s first female CEO (Mary Barra) and many other women holding leadership positions throughout the company.
What’s your personal career motto?
To trust the process and never shy away from trying something new. And regardless of role and position, I will always be learning.

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Congratulations to Jess Bala, Managing Director at General Motors Australia & New Zealand, Our November Member of the Month!

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