The Women MAKE America Champion Award

Introducing the Champion Award

The Champion Award 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.

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Why the Champion Award Matters

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 talent pipeline.

Strong leadership allies are pivotal in reshaping workplace cultures, driving inclusive policies, and serving 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 influential leaders whose dedication to inclusivity and innovation strengthens the resilience and competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.

Purpose of the Award

The Champion Award is more than an individual recognition; it’s part of a larger effort to close the gender gap in manufacturing. Leaders play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges that hinder women’s participation and advancement in the manufacturing sector. By empowering women to lead and succeed, they help build a workforce that is capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving industry.

When women succeed, the entire sector thrives. This award highlights the critical role leadership plays in fostering a diverse, inclusive workforce and driving manufacturing toward long-term success.

The Judging Process

The Champion Award will be determined through a blind judging process to ensure fairness and impartiality. A panel of peer judges from within the manufacturing sector will evaluate all nominations. Judges will not have access to identifying information about nominees or their companies, allowing them to focus solely on the merits of each submission.

Judges will assess nominees based on their:

• Demonstrated leadership and measurable impact on advancing women in manufacturing
• Support of initiatives that promote mentorship, innovation, and community engagement
• Involvement in mentorship and sponsorship initiatives aimed at developing future women leaders in the industry
• Contributions to community programs that directly support women in manufacturing
• Unique and creative approaches to empowering women in manufacturing
• Tangible outcomes and the long-term sustainability and impact of the nominee’s initiatives beyond their tenure

This transparent and unbiased process ensures that the Champion Award truly honors the most deserving leader who exemplifies transformative leadership in manufacturing.

Eligibility Criteria.

Nominees for the Champion Award must meet the following 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.

How to Submit a Nomination

• Nominations for the Women MAKE Champion Award will be submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply.  
• 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 nominations statement), and review your submission for accuracy.  
• When everything is finalized, click Mark As Complete to submit your nomination. Additional instructions can be found in the nomination guide. 

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Questions?.

Learn more about on how to submit a nomination along with an overview of each nomination question and sample responses via the nomination guide.

Champion Award Nomination Guide

For any inquiries, please contact the Women MAKE Team at [email protected].