Recruiting and Retaining the Future of Manufacturing

Join us for two educational and networking events focused on how we can diversify recruitment and strengthen retention.

Recruiting and Retaining Military Workforce: From 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., we will hold an enlightening discussion focused on best practices for attracting candidates from the military community by creating welcoming and inclusive recruitment practices and workplace environments. Attendees will learn about The MI’s Heroes MAKE America initiative and hear directly from veterans and military spouses to gain insights and walk away with actionable steps to implement.

About Heroes MAKE America: The Heroes MAKE America program facilitates introductions and supports a community of veterans to ease the transition from active duty to a lucrative career in the manufacturing industry.

Women are the Future of Manufacturing: From 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., we are holding an event focused on recruiting and growing the next generation of women in manufacturing. Students and women at local community colleges, universities and educational institutions will convene to hear from a variety of women working in the manufacturing and transportation industries, including a panel of emerging leaders who are excelling in their roles that can directly talk about the benefits and opportunities of pursuing a career in these fields. You will have a chance to network with future talent and learn how you and your female colleagues can get engaged with the MI’s Women MAKE America Mentorship Program.

About Women MAKE America: The mission of the Women MAKE America initiative is to showcase existing female talent in the industry, as well as best practices for companies to close the skills gap by attracting, retaining, and advancing women in manufacturing.

3:00 – 3:25 p.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

The Manufacturing Institute and Union Pacific will set the stage for why it is critical for manufacturing companies to engage the veteran community, including an overview of the Heroes MAKE America program and its impact.

3:25 – 4:15 p.m. Best Practices To Build A Military Workforce Pipeline – Industry Panel

Veterans, military spouses and manufacturers will share best practices for attracting candidates from the military community by creating welcoming and inclusive recruitment practices and workplace environments. Attendees will hear directly from veterans and military spouses to gain insights and walk away with actionable steps to implement. The audience will also have the opportunity to ask questions of panelists.

4:15 – 5:00 p.m. Registrations and Lite Fare

5:00 – 5:20 p.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

The Manufacturing Institute and Union Pacific will set the stage for how the gender gap is affecting the manufacturing industry, including an overview on the current state of the industry and how focusing on increasing the number of young women and girls entering STEM will play a crucial role in transforming the future of manufacturing.

• Carolyn Lee, President, The Manufacturing Institute
• Polly Harris, Vice President, Human Resources and President-Elect of LEAD, a Women’s Initiative, Union Pacific
  

5:20 – 5:40 p.m. Women Connect: The Why and the How

Two women leaders in the manufacturing industry will share about their experience establishing themselves in their careers.

Building your passion in your career

• Lori Olund, President, Miles Fiberglass and Composite

Importance of mentorship

• Garima Gautam, Engineering Manager, FSM Productivity, Intel Corporation

5:40 – 6:20 p.m. Ambassador Model: The Voice of the Next Generation – Industry Panel

Two rising stars in STEM fields will share about how they entered their careers and what their experience has been like navigating their professional journey as well as share advice on and insights for young women beginning to think about their next steps.

• Claire Anderson, Senior Manager of Bridge Construction, Union Pacific 
• Lacey Loika, Supply Chain Analyst II, Daimler Truck North America 
• Moderator: Sarah Shields, Director, Women’s Engagement, The Manufacturing Institute

6:20 – 7:00 p.m. Where Do You Go From Here?

The Manufacturing Institute will conduct a hands-on exercise on how to build a personal board of directors as well as discuss how to join a free mentorship program to connect directly with a woman in a STEM career.

7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Closing Reception and Networking

Participants have the opportunity to connect with local manufacturers and future talent during this open networking reception.