Manufacturing Institute Announces Wave of New Hires
TALENT AND PROMOTIONS COME AHEAD OF HISTORIC ‘CREATORS WANTED’ TOUR
WASHINGTON, D.C., 03/05/20 –
The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, today announced a wave of staffing expansions ahead of the historic, nationwide “Creators Wanted” campaign unveiled last month in Washington, D.C.
“Creators Wanted” is an unprecedented effort to reshape America’s perception of manufacturing and confront the industry’s growing skills gap. The campaign will feature an on-the-ground, interactive mobile tour designed to inspire Americans in more than 20 states to pursue high-tech, high-paying jobs in modern manufacturing. In addition, the campaign will include a year-long nationwide digital campaign to recruit new talent to the industry and host a culminating Making America Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio, in September, featuring interactive exhibits, thought leadership forums and entertainment to showcase the future of modern manufacturing in America.
“We are thrilled to introduce a talented and dynamic group of individuals who will help drive the ‘Creators Wanted’ campaign through 2020 and beyond,” said MI Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “The experience and passion represented on this team, coupled with their collective expertise, will enable us to do something that’s never before been done and grow the manufacturing industry by inspiring more Americans to join our future workforce.”
New MI hires include the following:
- Julia Asoni joins as the senior director of youth engagement. Julia will oversee the MI’s youth outreach efforts. In this role, she will be responsible for raising awareness of the manufacturing industry and career pathways for students, educators and parents. Previously, she was the director of global partnerships at an education technology company focused on critical skills development. She has launched career awareness programs for corporations and led business development in the technology sector, after a career transition from neuroscience research at the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
- Marvin Branch joins as the program manager for Fort Hood, Texas. Marvin comes to the MI after retiring from the U.S. Army after 27 years of service both in the enlisted and officer ranks. His experience includes emergency management, operations, logistics and education and is also a December 2019 graduate of the Heroes program at Fort Hood. His vast knowledge, innate leadership skills and true passion for the mission will be incredible assets to the Heroes community.
- Tony Davis joins as the senior director of workforce initiatives. Previously, Tony was the president and CEO of the Natchitoches Community Alliance, where he led economic development activities for the region, including the creation of a Louisiana FAME chapter to support local manufacturers.
- Constance Thompson joins as the senior director of women’s engagement. Constance is responsible for expanding the MI’s STEP Women’s Initiative portfolio and the implementation of diversity and inclusion solutions for the manufacturing sector. Previously, she was the senior director of operations at the National Society of Black Engineers. Her endeavors have also included the 50K Coalition; the American Society of Civil Engineers; and the American Chemical Society.
- Rahmah Wims joins as senior executive coordinator. Rahmah brings more than a decade of experience in administrative operations as well as meetings and event management. Previously, she was a lead associate at AXA Equitable in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she managed administrative operations, including events, for the human resources department. Prior to that, she was an account executive at EveryAction, a nonprofit technology company, where she managed a vertical of youth nonprofit organizations.
Recent promotions at the MI include the following:
- Alexandra Becker has been promoted to associate of workforce programs. Alexandra will assist in expanding partnerships with schools and programs necessary to support “Creators Wanted” and the ongoing 2020 campaign. Since 2016, she has worked as a policy coordinator for the NAM.
- David McKnight has been promoted to vice president of business relations and partnerships. Over the past year, David has laid the groundwork to develop new strategies for engagement with key partners and sponsors. Previously, he was the senior director of member services and partnerships for the Agricultural Retailers Association.
- Serena Wong has been promoted to senior manager of program operations. Since 2015, Serena has worked for the NAM as a meeting coordinator and most recently served as manager of women’s engagement.
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The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a nonpartisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation’s manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification and development of world-class manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.
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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 63% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.