Over the last month or so, GM’s newly-appointed CEO Mary Barra has been all over the news in regards to Chevy’s recent recalls. But despite this bump in her career, Barra is really making a name for herself, not only by being the first female to head a global automaker, but also by being named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2014. Check out what being influential means to Barra and some of the people who helped her get where she is today in the TIME video above!

Image: TIME Magazine

To be named to TIME’s list of The 100 Most Influential People, one must be at the top of their game, have made a huge difference in their career field or community, and, to an extent, be in the spotlight more than away from the public eye. It also doesn’t hurt if you’re a little controversial.

Since her move to GM CEO in December of 2013, Barra has been all of these things. Not only did she step up to one of the most high-profile jobs in the business, she also stepped in just before Chevrolet hit its latest speed bump with a number of recalls.

In her short time as the CEO of GM, Barra has gotten a lot of people riled up, whether they’re on her side or not. But when it comes down to being influential, she certainly has that one covered for 2014.

Barra joins 44 other influential women (a record number) and 55 influential men to make up the top 100 influential people on TIME Magazine’s list this year.

Compared to previous years, this may be one of the most diverse lists of people that TIME has put out, blurring just about every demographic line out there.

Folks like President Barak Obama, religious leader Pope Francis, actress Amy Adams, NFL star Richard Sherman, SNL alum and new host of The Late Show Seth Meyers, singer Carrie Underwood and U.S. Army three-star general, Major General Herbert Raymond McMaster are also on this year’s list.

Image: GM