By Stephen Harber, content strategist, GM talent marketing
By Stephen Harber, content strategist, GM talent marketing
When Barbara Scabello walks through a manufacturing plant, she doesn’t just see production lines. She notices the people. Their movements. Their risks. Their potential. And the responsibility to help make sure each one of them gets home safe.
As South America Safety Manager for Manufacturing at General Motors, Scabello leads Workplace Safety for more than 10,000 employees across four countries. It’s a demanding role that requires technical precision, strategic thinking, and human awareness. And she approaches it with care.
“Safety isn’t only about rules for me,” Scabello says. “It’s about people. If you understand people, you can build systems that can truly help to protect them.”
Barbara reflects on her time working as a General Assembly Group Leader and on her journey toward leading a Regional Safety team.
H2: From shop floor to regional leadership
Scabello’s connection to GM began long before her career at the company ever did.
Growing up near São Caetano do Sul — home to GM’s historic manufacturing plant — she passed by the facility often, imagining what it would be like to work inside. Her family’s deep roots in engineering only strengthened that interest.
“I come from a family of proud engineers,” she says. “When I walked past the plant, I would imagine myself there. Even before I worked at GM, I felt connected to it.”
After she joined the company early in her career, that connection became a reality. Her first day on the plant floor is one she still cherishes.
“I got goosebumps when I saw the assembly line,” she recalls. “I fell in love with the shop floor immediately. To this day, I feel at home working here.”
Navigating the realities of manufacturing helped Scabello build a solid foundation for everything that followed.
Barbara (center) with Press Shop Forklift Operator Raquel Silva (left) and Production Group Leader Priscila Loiola (right) during a safety observation tour to GM’s São Caetano Plant.
H2: Leading through experience
During her time at GM, Scabello has worked across engineering, manufacturing, business strategy, and safety. She’s also reported directly to Manufacturing leadership, and served as a strategic business planner to the org’s Vice President.
Each role expanded her view on how the business operates, and how decisions ripple across the organization.
“Working in strategy helped me understand how global priorities become regional realities,” she explains. “It strengthened my long-term thinking and showed me how interconnected every part of the business really is.”
But Scabello’s time leading on the shop floor shaped her leadership philosophy the most.
“At the age of 26, I was responsible for 90 people across six different areas,” she says. “Safety, quality, productivity, sustainability — everything. It was intense! But it taught me how to lead with courage, empathy, and adaptability.”
That experience made her confident.
“That was the moment I knew I could lead here.”
Barbara celebrates GM Brazil’s 100th anniversary at the São Caetano do Sul Tech Center with the GMSA Safety Team.
H2: Leading at scale across South America
Today, Scabello oversees safety strategy and implementation across South America, building a positive safety culture by raising awareness.
Her proudest accomplishment? Leading the implementation of automation solutions that remove employees from the most physically demanding work on the shop floor.
“We conduct detailed risk analyses to ensure we’re investing where it truly protects people,” Scabello says. “Knowing that GM trusts me with that responsibility, and seeing the real impact on people’s lives, means everything.”
Her approach is grounded in practicality. Having worked in operations herself, Scabello designs safety solutions with the end user in mind.
“I always think from the plant perspective,” she says. “My goal is for people to follow safety procedures because they understand their purpose — not just because they’re mandatory.”
Barbara (left) alongside colleagues at the GM Ride & Run event celebrating 100 years of GM in Brazil.
H2: Global Perspective, Local Impact
Scabello’s international experience shapes her leadership too. She has studied and worked in Germany and the Netherlands. Both experiences broadened her worldview and sharpened her approach.
“I combine the warmth and communication of Brazilian culture with the organization, discipline, and planning I learned from German and Dutch cultures, “ Scabello says. “I truly believe diverse experiences and perspectives enrich every environment. I work intentionally to understand each group and ensure everyone is included.”
Through both study and experience, Scabello has built teams where people feel truly supported.
“I learned Brazilian Sign Language to better support deaf colleagues and helped mentor female team leaders in General Assembly,” she shares. “This year, I became Chair of the GM South America Women’s Employee Resource Group (GMSAW ERG). These experiences matter because representation matters.”
For Scabello, inclusion and safety are inseparable.
“You can’t build a safe environment if people don’t feel seen and valued,” she says.
Barbara (right) meets with Sacha Oliveira (left) at GM’s São Caetano Plant, where the two connected as newly appointed leads for the South America Women’s ERG.
H2: The Future of Safety in Manufacturing
Looking ahead, Scabello is driven by how technology can better protect people on the shop floor.
“Artificial Intelligence, predictive analytics, and automation allow us to anticipate risks and eliminate exposure before incidents happen,” she explains. “GM is already leading in this space, and I’m excited about what’s next.”
But no matter how advanced the tools become, her philosophy remains rooted in human connection.
“Integrity and humility guide everything I do,” she says. “Listening more than speaking. Learning before deciding. To lead is to serve.”
That belief has followed her through every chapter of her career — from when she first set foot into a GM factory, to the leader Scabello is today.
And it’s felt every day by the thousands of employees who now work in safer environments because of someone who never forgot where she started.
Find out how Barbara started her leadership career at GM, in her own words, on our Careers blog.
When Barbara Scabello walks through a manufacturing plant, she doesn’t just see production lines. She notices the people. Their movements. Their risks. Their potential. And the responsibility to help make sure each one of them gets home safe.
As South America Safety Manager for Manufacturing at General Motors, Scabello leads Workplace Safety for more than 10,000 employees across four countries. It’s a demanding role that requires technical precision, strategic thinking, and human awareness. And she approaches it with care.
“Safety isn’t only about rules for me,” Scabello says. “It’s about people. If you understand people, you can build systems that can truly help to protect them.”
Barbara reflects on her time working as a General Assembly Group Leader and on her journey toward leading a Regional Safety team.
From shop floor to regional leadership
Growing up near São Caetano do Sul in Brazil — home to GM’s historic manufacturing plant — she passed by the facility often, imagining what it would be like to work inside. Her family’s deep roots in engineering only strengthened that interest.
“I come from a family of proud engineers,” she says. “When I walked past the plant, I would imagine myself there. Even before I worked at GM, I felt connected to it.”
After she joined the company early in her career, that connection became a reality. Her first day on the plant floor is one she still cherishes.
“I got goosebumps when I saw the assembly line,” she recalls. “I fell in love with the shop floor immediately. To this day, I feel at home working here.”
Navigating the realities of manufacturing helped Scabello build a solid foundation for everything that followed.
Leading through experience
During her time at GM, Scabello has worked across engineering, manufacturing, business strategy, and safety. She’s also reported directly to Manufacturing leadership, and served as a strategic business planner to the org’s Vice President.
Each role expanded her view on how the business operates, and how decisions ripple across the organization.
“Working in strategy helped me understand how global priorities become regional realities,” she explains. “It strengthened my long-term thinking and showed me how interconnected every part of the business really is.”
But Scabello’s time leading on the shop floor shaped her leadership philosophy the most.
“At the age of 26, I was responsible for 90 people across six different areas,” she says. “Safety, quality, productivity, sustainability — everything. It was intense! But it taught me how to lead with courage, empathy, and adaptability.”
That experience made her confident.
“That was the moment I knew I could lead here.”
Leading at scale across South America
Today, Scabello oversees safety strategy and implementation across South America, building a positive safety culture by raising awareness.
Her proudest accomplishment? Leading the implementation of automation solutions that remove employees from the most physically demanding work on the shop floor.
“We conduct detailed risk analyses to ensure we’re investing where it truly protects people,” Scabello says. “Knowing that GM trusts me with that responsibility, and seeing the real impact on people’s lives, means everything.”
Her approach is grounded in practicality. Having worked in operations herself, Scabello designs safety solutions with the end user in mind.
“I always think from the plant perspective,” she says. “My goal is for people to follow safety procedures because they understand their purpose — not just because they’re mandatory.”
Global Perspective, Local Impact
Scabello’s international experience shapes her leadership too. She has studied and worked in Germany and the Netherlands. Both experiences broadened her worldview and sharpened her approach.
“I combine the warmth and communication of Brazilian culture with the organization, discipline, and planning I learned from German and Dutch cultures, “ Scabello says. “I truly believe diverse experiences and perspectives enrich every environment. I work intentionally to understand each group and ensure everyone is included.”
Through both study and experience, Scabello has built teams where people feel truly supported.
“I learned Brazilian Sign Language to better support deaf colleagues and helped mentor female team leaders in General Assembly,” she shares. “This year, I became Chair of the GM South America Women’s Employee Resource Group (GMSAW ERG). These experiences matter because representation matters.”
For Scabello, inclusion and safety are inseparable.
“You can’t build a safe environment if people don’t feel seen and valued,” she says.
The Future of Safety in Manufacturing
Looking ahead, Scabello is driven by how technology can better protect people on the shop floor.
“Artificial Intelligence, predictive analytics, and automation allow us to anticipate risks and eliminate exposure before incidents happen,” she explains. “GM is already leading in this space, and I’m excited about what’s next.”
But no matter how advanced the tools become, her philosophy remains rooted in human connection.
“Integrity and humility guide everything I do,” she says. “Listening more than speaking. Learning before deciding. To lead is to serve.”
That belief has followed her through every chapter of her career — from when she first set foot into a GM factory, to the leader Scabello is today.
And it’s felt every day by the thousands of employees who now work in safer environments because of someone who never forgot where she started.
Find out how Barbara started her leadership career at GM, in her own words, on our Careers blog.
Learn more about careers at GM by visiting Careers.GM.com.