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Champion Award Nomination Guide
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NOMINATEWomen MAKE America Champion Award Nomination Guide
Thank you for your interest in nominating an exceptional leader for the Women MAKE America Champion Award. This prestigious honor recognizes a transformative executive leader – of any gender – who has made extraordinary contributions to advancing women in manufacturing. Through innovation, mentorship, and community engagement, these champions empower women to excel and lead, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic industry.
The manufacturing industry faces a critical challenge: over 500,000 jobs are open each month, and according to research by the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte, 3.8 million positions will need to be filled by 2033. Alarmingly, half of these roles could go unfilled due to a lack of skilled talent. With women comprising less than 30% of manufacturing roles but representing half of the overall workforce, bringing more women into the sector is essential to closing this gap and ensuring a robust pipeline.
Strong leadership allies are pivotal in reshaping workplace cultures, driving inclusive policies, and service as role models, sponsors, and mentors. Over the past decade, we have seen that women in manufacturing thrive when they have access to role models, networks, and supportive communities. The Champion Award celebrates those leaders whose dedication to inclusivity and innovation strengthens the resilience and competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.
This guide provides information on how to submit a nomination along with an overview of each nomination question and sample responses to help you develop your submission effectively.
Submit a Nomination
Table of Contents
I How to Submit a Nomination
II Eligibility Criteria
III Timeline
IV Review and Scoring Process
V Nomination Questions and Sample Responses
VI Tips to Remember
The Nomination Process
Nominating a manufacturing leader is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
STEP 1: Create a Nominator Account
- Click the Apply button located on the right side of your dashboard.
- Next you will be prompted to name your application (Ex. Name of Company – Senior Leader’s Name).
- Once you have named your application, click Create Application.
- If you already have a SurveyMonkey Apply account, enter your email address and password to login.
- If you do not already have a SurveyMonkey Apply account, you will be prompted to create one. You will need to provide the following details:
- Full Name: Enter your first and last name.
- Email Address: Provide a valid email address that you can access.
- Password: Choose a secure password that is at least 8 characters long, with a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- After entering your information, click the “Create Account” button.
- SurveyMonkey Apply will send you a confirmation email. Open your inbox and look for an email from SurveyMonkey Apply.
- Click on the “Confirm Email” button in the email to verify your account and complete your registration.
- Once your email is verified, return to the SurveyMonkey Apply login page.
- Enter your email address and password to log in.
STEP 2: Add a Collaborator to Your Nomination (OPTIONAL)
A collaborator plays a key role in helping to complete, review, or contribute to the nomination process. The collaborator’s role and permissions depend on the level of access granted by the person who initiated the nomination. Here’s a detailed explanation of the role of the collaborator in this context:
- Assisting with the Nomination Form
- Reviewing and Proofreading the Nomination Form
- Uploading Supporting Documents
- Managing the Nomination to Ensure Consistency
- Monitoring Progress
Follow the steps below to add a collaborator to your nomination:
- Click the following link to log into your SurveyMonkey Apply account: https://themanufacturinginstitute.smapply.io/prog/women_make_america_champion_award/
- Once you have logged into your account, you will be directed to your dashboard.
- Click the Add Collaborator
- To invite a collaborator, you will need to enter the collaborator’s email address and select their type of access (View and edit or View Only).
- Once their information has been entered, select Send Invite. The invitation to join your nomination will be sent to the collaborator’s email address.
- The collaborator will receive an email invitation with a link to join the nomination form. They need to click the link and follow the instructions to create a SurveyMonkey Apply account (if they don’t have one already) or log in (if they have an account).
- Once logged in, they will be able to access the nomination form.
- Nominators and collaborator(s) can work together to complete the nomination form. Please note, updates made by a collaborator are typically saved in real-time.
STEP 3: Submit a Nomination
- Once you have created an account, log in to start your application. To begin a new application, click the Apply button and name your application (Ex. Name of Company – Senior Leader’s Name), then select Create Application.
- If you previously started an application, select See my Application.
- The application form includes sections for nominator and nominee information, essay questions, and acknowledgements. Be sure to complete all required fields, upload any optional supporting documents (such as a letter of recommendation or nomination statement), and review your submission for accuracy.
- When everything is finalized, click Mark As Complete to submit your nomination.
Eligibility Criteria
- Senior Executive Leadership. The nominee must be a senior executive leader from a company with a manufacturing presence in the United States.
- Demonstrated Leadership. The nominee must have a proven track record of leadership in manufacturing, showcasing contributions to empowering women and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
- Commitment to Advancement. The nominee must actively support or lead initiatives that advance women in manufacturing, such as mentorship programs or innovative workplace strategies.
- Availability. If selected, the nominee must be available to attend the Women MAKE Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 2025.
- Inclusivity. This award is open to individuals of all genders.
Timeline.
| January 13 – February 14, 2025: Nomination Period February 17 – March 5, 2025: Judging Period March 10, 2025: Winner Notification April 24, 2025: Public Announcement at the 2025 Women MAKE Awards Gala |
Review and Scoring Process
All nominations will undergo a blind and rigorous evaluation by a selection committee (the Committee) made up of current and former Women MAKE Award Chairs and alumni. These experienced leaders will carefully assess each nominee’s contributions across multiple key categories, ensuring a thorough and fair review process.
The following categories are equal in weight and will be used to assess nominees:
- Commitment to empowerment and inclusivity. The Committee will evaluate the nominee’s dedication to closing the gender gap and fostering an inclusive workplace culture. Specific initiatives, policies, and strategies implemented or promoted to support women in manufacturing will be a focal point.
- Impactful programs and initiatives. The Committee will review the specific programs or initiatives launched or supported by the nominee that have significantly advanced women in manufacturing.
- Mentorship and sponsorship. The Committee will assess the nominee’s active involvement in mentorship and sponsorship initiatives aimed at developing future women leaders in the industry.
- Community Involvement. The Committee will evaluate the nominee’s engagement with community initiatives that directly support women in manufacturing.
- Innovation. The Committee will consider the nominee’s unique and innovative approaches to empowering women in manufacturing, emphasizing creativity in overcoming industry challenges.
- Results and sustainability. The Committee will examine the tangible outcomes, including measurable metrics that demonstrate the success of the nominee’s initiatives. Additionally, the Committee will assess the long-term sustainability and lasting impact of these programs beyond the nominee’s direct involvement.
Nomination Questions and Sample Responses.
Question:
Describe how the nominee demonstrates a commitment to empowering women and promoting an inclusive workplace culture. Please provide examples of initiatives, policies, or strategies that support women’s advancement and ensure diverse voices are heard.
Sample Response:
“John Smith has implemented a comprehensive employee engagement plan that includes mentorship programs for women at all levels. Under his leadership, the company has increased its female workforce by 30% over the past three years and established regular forums where employees can voice their concerns and suggestions. John also champions women in leadership roles, with 50% of his management team being women.”
Question:
Detail the specific programs or initiatives the nominee has launched or supported that enhance women’s roles in manufacturing. Include both quantitative and qualitative impacts of these efforts.
Sample Response:
“Under John Smith’s leadership, the ‘Women in Manufacturing’ initiative has trained over 200 women in technical skills over the past two years. This program has resulted in a 40% increase in female participation in engineering roles within the company. Qualitatively, participants have reported increased confidence and career satisfaction, leading to higher retention rates.”
Question:
Explain the nominee’s involvement in mentorship and sponsorship initiatives aimed at developing future women leaders. Discuss the reach and effectiveness of these efforts.
Sample Response:
“John Smith leads a mentorship program that pairs senior female executives with junior female employees. This program has successfully matched 50 mentees with mentors over the last year, resulting in 20% of participants receiving promotions. Feedback surveys indicate that 95% of mentees feel more prepared for leadership roles due to this initiative.”
Question:
Highlight the nominee’s contributions to community initiatives that support women in manufacturing, including partnerships with educational institutions, local nonprofits, or industry organizations.
Sample Response:
“John Smith has established partnerships with local high schools and universities to promote STEM careers among young women. He organized workshops and career days that reached over 500 students, significantly raising awareness of manufacturing careers. His collaboration with a local nonprofit has led to scholarships for women pursuing technical degrees.”
Question:
Assess the creativity and uniqueness of the nominee’s approach to fostering women’s empowerment in manufacturing. Provide specific examples of innovative strategies or practices.
Sample Response:
“John Smith introduced a flexible work policy that allows employees to tailor their schedules, making it easier for women with caregiving responsibilities to thrive. This innovative approach has led to a 25% increase in job applications from women and improved overall employee satisfaction ratings.”
Question:
Provide details on the tangible outcomes achieved through the nominee’s initiatives, including metrics demonstrating success. Discuss the sustainability of these programs for long-term impact beyond the nominee’s tenure.
Sample Response:
“Through John Smith’s initiatives, the company has seen a 50% increase in women in senior management roles. The mentorship program has been institutionalized, ensuring continued support for women in leadership long after John’s tenure. Metrics show that women who participate in the program have a 30% higher retention rate than those who do not.”
Tips to Remember.
- Be Specific: Use concrete examples and data where possible to illustrate the nominee’s impact.
- Highlight Uniqueness: Emphasize what sets the nominee apart from other leaders in the industry.
- Become familiar with the nomination deadline to ensure your nomination is submitted on time.
- Monitor your inbox for any notifications regarding the status of your nomination.
Thank you for taking the time to recognize a deserving leader in the manufacturing sector! Your nomination plays a vital role in celebrating the commitment to empowering women in our industry.
Questions?
Email the Women MAKE Awards team at [email protected] for more information.