Hear Her Story

In this episode, we sat down with Ester Codina, President North America at Alfa Laval and WiM Board Member LIVE at our SUMMIT 2024 conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Allison and Ester spoke about women on a global scale, childcare for working moms, and took questions from the live audience.

Joining us is a special guest as he has been a long-time ally of women in manufacturing. Male ally Jeff White is Partner and Chair of the Manufacturing Law Industry Team at Robinson & Cole and currently sits on the WiM board of directors. On top of his allyship, Jeff is a leader within the manufacturing community and has been invited to speak at The White House, U.S. Department of Commerce events and manufacturing industry events across North America. We are excited to feature his story today in advance of his presentation at WiM's inaugural Men as Allies conference. 

Joining us on the podcast today is Dr. Susan Emmerich, Manufacturing Talent Program Implementation Manager at BASF. Susan has spent many years within her impressive career creating and leading successful talent programs as well as working to find sustainable manufacturing solutions. We talked about BASF's Registered Apprenticeship Program in honor of Apprenticeship Week as well as her journey to manufacturing. You'll hear about the risks she took, and the resiliency that she showed, that led her to where she is today. If you are interested in starting a Registered Apprenticeship Program at your company, be sure to go to our webpage: https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org/registered-apprenticeship-programs- You will find resources and contact information to get in touch to find out about FREE resources available.  

In this episode, we sat down with Kari Mahaffey, Senior Vice President, Cloud | High Tech and Manufacturing with Oracle Corp LIVE at our SUMMIT 2024 conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Allison and Kari spoke about becoming a Woman Leader and not just a manager, carving your own path, Work/Life Integration for both women and men and much more. We also took some questions from the live audience as well.  

In this episode, we talk with Rhonda Kallman, CEO and founder of Boston Harbor Distillery, the most successful and influential craft beer company in the U.S. Rhonda has nearly four decades of experience in the alcohol beverage industry and is considered a thought-leader in the space, educating consumers on American craft beer. Her impact has led her to be recognized as a “Pioneering Woman in the Beer Industry” and a “top 10 innovator.”  Rhonda is a true trailblazer who has paved the way for other women to earn respect in the craft beer industry. 

In this episode, we talk with Janette Hostettler, Vice President of Manufacturing at Toyota's largest manufacturing facility globally, Toyota Kentucky. Throughout her career, Janette has overseen the startup and development of production systems, supplier support, training for more than 3,000 team members and much more. Janette is also a champion of diversity and inclusion initiatives and has made a significant effort to inspire future women in manufacturing through mentoring and dedicated servant leadership. Her impact and accomplishments, along with her nearly 24-year career with Toyota, lead her to be honored as a 2023 inductee into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame.

This episode we sat down with Katherine Goldstein, author of the Double Shift Newsletter, mom and journalist covering Caregivers in the Workplace. Ahead of Moms in MFG conference on June 13, Katherine talked about parenting, caregivers in America and advice that she has for other working moms. As a journalist, Katherine has researched ways to help caregivers in America and what we can do to transform the workplace.

In honor of May being Small Business Month, we are thrilled to be joined by two incredible small business owners – Stephanie Stuckey, Chair of Stuckey's Corporation, and Lisa Winton, CEO and Co-owner of Winton Machine Company. Thank you for joining us for this episode as we discuss Stephanie and Lisa's inspiring journeys into leadership as well as the unique challenges and opportunities small businesses face in manufacturing.

In this episode, we connected with Angela Regan, Director of Strategic Business Development at Dassault Systemes and current chair of the WiM Massachusetts chapter. In advance of Earth Day, Angela talks about the hot topic of sustainability in manufacturing, her career journey and the impact of sustainable strategies and initiatives on the industry.

In this episode, Allison talks with Rachel Cooke, Global Director, Reliability Maintenance Engineering at Amazon about the latest trends in cultivating gender inclusion in the workplace. Rachel also shares her insights into how corporate initiatives can inspire inclusion and enhance workplace culture. Join us for this empowering episode as we celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month.

In this episode, we sit down with Tricia Bright, a passionate member of Women in Manufacturing and current chair of the WiM New York chapter. Tricia works as Operations Manager at Allendale Machinery Systems, where she has been developing her career for almost 13 years. Being one month into the year, we know that many people are reflecting on the previous year, and some may be considering new career paths. We're excited for you to join us for this inspiring episode as we highlight Tricia's unique career journey and focus on career development. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: Women in Manufacturing Podcast

We had an opportunity to talk with Jana Gessner, Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety at the always iconic PepsiCo., to get her insights into what it takes to stand out and how to establish your own personal brand. This episode was recorded live at the Women in Manufacturing SUMMIT, where Jana and more than one-hundred and fifty PepsiCo. employees traveled to San Diego to participate in the conference.

We had an opportunity to talk with Jana Gessner, Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety at the always iconic PepsiCo., to get her insights into what it takes to stand out and how to establish your own personal brand. This episode was recorded live at the Women in Manufacturing SUMMIT, where Jana and more than one-hundred and fifty PepsiCo. employees traveled to San Diego to participate in the conference.

! In anticipation of National Apprenticeship Week, this episode will discuss the impact of registered apprenticeship programs in relation to the manufacturing industry. We're excited to feature Amy Volz from Trane Technologies and Becky Calwell from Jobs for the Future as both incredible women have extensive experience with registered apprenticeship programs. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: Women in Manufacturing Podcast

! In anticipation of National Apprenticeship Week, this episode will discuss the impact of registered apprenticeship programs in relation to the manufacturing industry. We're excited to feature Amy Volz from Trane Technologies and Becky Calwell from Jobs for the Future as both incredible women have extensive experience with registered apprenticeship programs. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: Women in Manufacturing Podcast

In this episode, we're thrilled to highlight not one, but three inspirational women who are making an impact for women in manufacturing: Belinda Black from Cannon Virginia, Coral Warren from Polaris Industries and Kaitlin Perkins from Pfizer. Our area of focus for this episode is Manufacturing Day, with an emphasis on this year's Manufacturing Day message of “creators wanted.” This special edition of the Hear Her Story podcast was recorded live at the Women in Manufacturing SUMMIT in San Diego. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: Women in Manufacturing Podcast

Our guest this month is Sonita Lontoh, a Women in Manufacturing Hall of Famer and full time Public Company Board Director. Sonita gave us her unique insights on how to find Boards to join and what you should do when you get there. In addition, we talked about her Guiding Principals and her induction into the WiM Hall of Fame. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: Women in Manufacturing Podcast

Our guest this month is Jill Koziol, founder of Mother.ly, a woman-centered and judgement-free site, whose mission it is to help every mother thrive with expert advice, inspirational stories, curated solutions and more. Jilled talked about her Entreprenueral Journey, her MS diagnosis and how planning everything, from meetings to down time helps keep her organized. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: Women in Manufacturing Podcast

Our guest this month is Joanna Cooper, General Manager Mount Holly at Daimler Truck Facility. Joanna talked about her core set of values ACTIVE, psychological safety, how her early life activities in her church and DI basketball helped her learn to manage and organize her career and much more. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: Women in Manufacturing Podcast

Our guest this month is Jenn Martin, Engineering Manager at Toyota Motor North America. Jenn talked about becoming a welder and how it shaped how she advocates for other women, starting out as a manager and changing her mindset from being an employee to leading others. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: Women in Manufacturing Podcast

Our guest this month is Jai Aja, Enterprise Customer Success at Rockwell Automation. Jai spoke to us about how her early internship shaped her career, learning to overcome preconceived notions about her and her journey towards motherhood. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: Women in Manufacturing Podcast

Our guest this month is Laura Wilde, Senior Director Quality & Mission Assurance, Aerojet Rocketdyne. Laura spoke to us about traveling for work while a parent, why she encourages women to join the manufacturing field, networking and more. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org/hear-her-story-podcast

Our guest this month is Tiffanie Lewis, Vice President – HR Technology & Service Solutions at Diebold Nixdorf. Tiffanie spoke to us about her Truth, when to say yes and when to delegate and starting a mentoring program when she was at General Motors. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org/hear-her-story-podcast

Our guest this month is Sandra McNeil, Director of Operations with Amazon Robotic Sortable Fulfillment. Hear Sandra discuss what inspires her and how she strives to inspire others. She also discusses how automation is a great tool to help organize and grow. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org/hear-her-story-podcast

Our guest this month is Tessa Myers, Senior VP, Intelligent Devices at Rockwell Automation. Hear Tessa discuss her start in manufacturing and why having advocates can be even more important than having mentors. As 2022 comes to an end, Tessa also talks about innovations that she is most excited for in the new year. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org/hear-her-story-podcast

Our guest this month is Kathleen Edge, EVP of Operations at Southwire. Hear Kathleen discuss how working in accounting led her into manufacturing, which led to her drive to promote safety within her organization. Kathy also shares her take on Work/Life Ratio, as opposed to Work/Life Balance, and her thoughts on community and family. Listen to other episodes of Hear Her Story here: https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org/hear-her-story-podcast

Our guest this month is Michelle Taylor, Director of New Product Quality CHVAC at Trane Technologies. Michelle shares her story about how growing up with three brothers shaped her and how a pen led to her internship and love of manufacturing. Michelle talks about her passion of volunteering and how it has led to forming her “12-12” crew.

Jd Marhevko, Vice President of Quality for the ADAS and Electronics Division of the ZF Group, joins WiM President Allison Grealis on Hear Her Story. Jd talks about how her upbringing taught her how to work hard and shaped her entire career. Allison and Jd also talk about the environment and sustainability and discuss what companies can do to help save our planet.

Get to know our guest Kristen Dickinson, Senior Leader of Field Competency & Serviceability at Ingersoll Rand. Hear Kristen's experience as a mom in manufacturing and the challenges that inspired her to help launch her company's women's inclusion group. Kristen shares how she helped launch a mentor program for Ingersoll Rand employees and her advice for avoiding and coping with burnout. Listen to Kristen's story here and see her as a presenter during WiM's Moms in MFG virtual conference on August 11, 2022.

Our guest this month is Leslie Morales, Vice President of Operations for U.S. Rubber. Listen in as Leslie shares how she reinvented herself professionally and her advice for getting outside of your comfort zone to develop new skills and a supportive network. Also in this episode, Leslie shares how surviving breast cancer in 2021 renewed her focus on and appreciation for self-care and keeping a positive mindset. Hear her advice for other women in manufacturing and how her company leverages second-chance hiring programs to develop their workforce.

Our guest this month is Alla Woodson, General Manager, Life Care Solutions Services at GE Healthcare, a WiM Corporate member company. Coming from a family of engineers, Alla is a first-generation immigrant to the United States from the former USSR, now the Russian Federation. Join us as Alla describes her unique path to the United States and how she began a career in manufacturing with GE. Hear her advice for developing a customer-first production philosophy in any industry and how being brave impacted her career.

This month, we're joined by Shannon Karels, Co-Founder of OPSisters, a professional consulting firm, and Co-Author of the book, Steel Toes and Stilettos: A True Story of Women Manufacturing Leaders and Lean Transformation Success. Hear how Shannon grew her career in supply chain management at several large manufacturing companies, before shifting her career and starting OPSisters.

Join us for a conversation with Rebecca Cranford, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing at Southwire Company. Rebecca shares how she maneuvered her career to create balance for herself and her family, and how she overcame self-doubt along the way. Hear her advice for defining what success means to you and how peer-to-peer mentoring impacted her career.

Listen in as we sit down with Lisa Skidmore, Senior Director, Advanced Quality Engineering at GE Appliances, a Haier company. Lisa spent more than thirteen years of her career at Ford Motor Company, before moving on to GE Appliances, a Haier company more than a decade ago. During her long career in quality-focused roles, Lisa has learned firsthand why it is important to support other women in STEM-related roles. Hear her advice for elevating one another and how to foster long-lasting relationships between mentors and mentees.

This month, we're having a conversation with Kristin St. Marie, who is the Global Training Manager at Carlisle Companies, Inc. and a proud Michigan State University alumna. In this episode, Kristin talks about her process for developing engaging learning models for adults at her company and how she helped develop Carlisle's employee resource group for women. Hear her advice for being your own advocate and how taking risks positively impacted her career.

On this episode of WiM's Hear Her Story podcast, Allison sits down with Cara Madzy, Vice President Operations for the Coatings Americas division at BASF. Cara is also a Director on the Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Association Board of Directors. Hear how Cara followed in her father footsteps to become a Chemical Engineer, as well as her advice for balancing your weaknesses with your strengths and how to sustainably win.

On this epurose of Hear Her Story, we're chatting with Mary Ellen Grom, Executive Director of Customer Experience Solutions at AFL and the Chair of the WiM Education Foundation Board of Directors. Mary Ellen discusses being an aspiring advertiser throughout her childhood, the importance of creating connection between people and how she plans to get curious in 2022.

On this episode of Women in Manufacturing's Hear Her Story podcast, Allison Grealis sits down with Christina Pierce, Sales Operations Manager, Panasonic - IIoT Solutions Division. Hear about Christina's career, her advice for building your professional network and why she thinks it is important for women in traditionally male-dominated fields to have both female AND male mentors & advocates.

Our guest this month is Tiffany Bryson, Direct Regional Sales Manager at GROB Systems and a leader with WiM's Ohio Chapter. Tiffany tells us about her career journey across manufacturing and shares her advice for young women still starting off in their career – give yourself grace. Hear Tiffany's story now and get inspired!

Allison Grealis chats with Karen Norheim, long-time WiM member and former chair of the WiM Board. Karen is the president and COO of American Crane and Equipment Corporation in Douglassville, PA. Hear Karen share how she evolved the culture of her family business and how she empowers employees to explore new technologies.

This month, we are joined by Evelyn Parks, North America Health Safety and Environment Director at MONDELEZ International. Hear Evelyn's advice for advancing from your current role and about her experiences as a working, single parent to two children.

Ashleigh Walters, the author of “Leading with Grit and Grace: A Journey in Organizational Culture Change.” Ashleigh is the President of Onex, an Erie, PA-based custom equipment manufacturing company that she and her husband took over from his parents. Hear about how Ashleigh's unique journey in manufacturing inspired her book and how she balances work and motherhood.

Lynn Kier is the Vice President of Corporate Communications at Diebold Nixdorf and the former Chair of the WiM Board of Directors. In this episode, Lynn shares how she got her start in manufacturing working in finance at GM and her advice for finding success by being your authentic self.

On this episode we are joined by Allison Giddens, President and Co-Owner of WinTech, Inc., a Georgia-based machining company serving the aerospace, medical, construction, and commercial industries. Today I chat with Allison about how her company overcame challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and how we can create new opportunities for women in the manufacturing industry. 

Shameka Lewis was recently promoted to Associate Global Manager of Environmental Health & Safety at Mattel, Inc. In this episode, Shameka shares how she navigated a major career-changed from healthcare to manufacturing and how she stays busy and motivated as a single mom with college-aged children.

Misti Rice is the Executive Director of Government Affairs at Magna International Inc. and WiM's 2021 Chair of the WiM Board of Directors. Hear how she navigated a career in government affairs throughout changing political climates and her advice for learning from a less-than-perfect manager.

On each episode of Hear Her Story, we'll sit down with incredible women from different roles and niche industries within manufacturing. Join us to learn from their unique expertise and to hear about the experiences that have shaped their careers. Hear what drives the women who make the WiM Community vibrant and strong and leave inspired by their journey and their advice for other women in manufacturing. The Hear Her Story Podcast is produced by the Women in Manufacturing® Association. WiM is the only national trade association dedicated promoting, supporting, and inspiring women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry. We work year-round to empower women at all levels of their career - from production to the C-Suite. Membership is available to women and men working within the manufacturing sector.