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Manufacturing Women's Leadership Conference 2025: Fierce Connections

Event Details
Jun 3, 2025   – 
Jun 4, 2025   – 
Jun 5, 2025   – 
Chicago, IL
Kimpton Gray, 122 W Monroe St
Event Contact

June 3

Tue, Jun 3  5:30pm - 7:30pm CDT

Welcome Reception at the Chicago Chief Clubhouse

Connect with some fellow attendees with some light bites and conversation as guests are invited to the Chief Clubhouse in Fulton Market. 

June 4

Wed, Jun 4  7:30am - 8:30am CDT

Vinyasa Yoga

Join Yoga Loft Studios, a female-owned studio in Chicago, for an All-Levels Vinyasa Yoga class to kick off the first day of the conference. This serene and meditative experience will help you unwind and release stress while enhancing your flexibility and focus. Strengthen your body, energize and nourish your spirit before a full day of sessions and networking. 
 

*This class will be held on onsite at the Kimpton Gray. Space is limited.  
 

Wed, Jun 4  10:00am - 10:15am CDT

Welcome Remarks
Stephen Gold

Stephen Gold

President & CEO, Manufacturers Alliance

Stephen Gold has served as President and CEO of Manufacturers Alliance since March 2011. Over the past three decades, he has represented U.S. manufacturers in a variety of senior-level roles in nonprofit membership organizations, including in government relations, communications, and operations. Mr. Gold is presently a contributing columnist for IndustryWeek, and has served as an occasional guest columnist for The Washington Times. He regularly writes on topics such as the geopolitical challenges, automation and technology advances, workforce and demographic challenges, and public policy.

Wed, Jun 4  10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Ceiling Cracked: CEO Perspectives on Success in Manufacturing

Our opening keynote is led by three incredible CEOs who have led their manufacturing companies through expansions, spin-offs, and challenging economic times. Hear how each came up to the CEO role and have found great success along the way.

Micaela Bomhack

Micaela Bomhack

President & CEO, Rite-Hite Holding Corporation

Micaela Bomhack leads the third-generation family ownership group as President and CEO of Rite-Hite and Chairman of theifamily office, SixSibs Capital. Rite-Hite is a world leader in the manufacture, sale, and service of a broad array of industrial products designed to improve safety, security, productivity, energy savings, and environmental control. She comes from 10 years of experience leading several divisions and M&A at the company. Bomhack aims to drive strategic visioning and planning as the organization continues to grow and expand around the world. SixSibs Capital seeks to invest in companies with a long-term hold philosophy.

Currently, she serves on the boards of both the Rite-Hite and SixSibs Foundation. Her passion lies in education-related issues, specifically scholarship and mentorship. She supports a variety of scholarship programs in the Milwaukee region, including All-In Milwaukee, an organization that provides financial and wraparound supports for students to help them succeed in higher education. As their company continues to grow, it is important to her to focus and align corporate giving and professionalize both foundations.

Bomhack and her husband, Pat Bomhack, two daughters Susie (4) and Betsy (8 months), and son Jack (3) reside in Milwaukee, WI. They love most sports, with lots of passion for basketball, golf and volleyball.

Bomhack holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in Economics from the University of Chicago.

Kim Ryan

Kim Ryan

President and Chief Executive Officer, Hillenbrand, Inc.

Kimberly Ryan has served as a director and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since December 2021. Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer, Ryan was the Company’s Executive Vice President, beginning in June 2021.

Prior to that role, she served as President of the Company’s Coperion business beginning in September 2015, also overseeing Hillenbrand’s Rotex business during part of that period. She previously served as President of Batesville beginning in April 2011, at which time she was also named a Senior Vice President of Hillenbrand. Ryan began her career with Batesville in 1989, holding positions of increasing responsibility within Batesville and the Company’s former parent in finance, strategy, operations, logistics, and information technology.

Since 2014, Ryan has also served on the Board of Directors of Kimball International, Inc., a public manufacturing company, including as a member of the Audit Committee. She also served as Board Chair from November 2018 to October 2021. She served on the Board of Directors of Conexus Indiana from December 2018 to July 2021.

Jean Savage

Jean Savage

President and CEO, Trinity Industries, Inc.

Jean Savage was appointed CEO and President of Trinity Industries, Inc. in February 2020. She has served on Trinity’s Board of Directors since 2018.

Savage is a member of the Parker Hannifin Board of Directors, National Association of Manufacturers Board of Directors, Manufacturers Alliance Board of Trustees, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Board of Directors, Dallas Citizens Council Board of Directors, and SMU Rowling Center Advisory Board. She also serves on the Texas A&M University Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMT) External Advisory Committee.

Prior to her role at Trinity, she served as the Vice President of the Surface Mining & Technology division of Caterpillar Inc., held leadership roles in Caterpillar's Progress Rail division and worked in a variety of manufacturing and engineering positions at Parker Hannifin Corporation. Savage is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, and served for nine years as an Army Reserve Intelligence Officer. Savage has a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Dayton.

Kristin Graybill

Kristin Graybill - Moderator

Vice President, Commercial Strategy, Manufacturers Alliance

Kristin Graybill has been with Manufacturers Alliance since 2016 and currently serves as Vice President of Commercial Strategy. She leads Manufacturers Alliance's marketing, sales, and research and content, focused on customer experience, partnerships, and member sales that enhance the manufacturing community.

Before joining Manufacturers Alliance, Kristin served as the Director of Digital Marketing for Government and Healthcare at LexisNexis Risk Solutions and the Director of Digital Strategy and Marketing at a government technology-focused agency. She started her career working for a Member of Congress, at a political consulting agency, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in press and policy-related support roles.

She received her B.A. in Political Science from Allegheny College and a Certificate on Strategies That Build Winning Brands from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.

Wed, Jun 4  11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Sponsorship: Elevating and Keeping Your Best Talent

“A mentor speaks with you, while a sponsor speaks about you.” Informal sponsorship has long been the key to advancement into executive levels of an organization, but often, historically underrepresented talent (HET) and women are left out of these channels, resulting in corporate leadership that is not representative of the current or future workforce. To ensure that your company is recognizing and advancing top talent into high visibility roles equitably, a well-designed sponsorship program is required to act as a disruptor to the bias that is present in the status quo. Drawing from research and case studies, this session will explain why sponsorship is the gold standard of interpersonal workplace relationships, provide best practices for a successful sponsor-protégé relationship, offer metrics for measuring success, and strategies to bolster your sponsorship programs.

Jenna Myszak

Jenna Myszak

Vice President, Tax & Treasury, IDEX Corporation

Caitlin Quigley

Caitlin Quigley

Creative Manager, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions

Thelma Tamez

Thelma Tamez

Director of Research Development and Member Advisory, Seramount

Thelma Tamez is a Director of Research Development and Member Advisory at Seramount. A dedicated and experienced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leader, she brings over 15 years of expertise in fostering inclusive workplaces and advocating for equitable practices.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Thelma leverages her skills in strategic planning, training and development, and community engagement to drive meaningful impact. She actively serves on the boards of Easter Seals, SHRM, Comfort House, Junior League of McAllen (JLM), CASA, and TEDx McAllen, where her passion for building inclusive communities is evident.

A SHRM-certified professional and Certified Diversity Professional, Thelma remains committed to advancing DEI within organizations and the communities she serves.

Kristin Graybill

Kristin Graybill - Moderator

Vice President, Commercial Strategy, Manufacturers Alliance

Kristin Graybill has been with Manufacturers Alliance since 2016 and currently serves as Vice President of Commercial Strategy. She leads Manufacturers Alliance's marketing, sales, and research and content, focused on customer experience, partnerships, and member sales that enhance the manufacturing community.

Before joining Manufacturers Alliance, Kristin served as the Director of Digital Marketing for Government and Healthcare at LexisNexis Risk Solutions and the Director of Digital Strategy and Marketing at a government technology-focused agency. She started her career working for a Member of Congress, at a political consulting agency, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in press and policy-related support roles.

She received her B.A. in Political Science from Allegheny College and a Certificate on Strategies That Build Winning Brands from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.

Wed, Jun 4  12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

Lunch

Wed, Jun 4  1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Delivering Care and ROI: The Business Case for Better Care Benefits

America doesn’t work if it doesn’t work for moms. Join Moms First and leaders from the manufacturing community for a candid discussion about how the child care crisis impacts absenteeism, retention, and productivity—and why it's not just a gender issue, but a workforce one. Hear how companies, including those in the manufacturing sector, are implementing care solutions that strengthen their teams and deliver real ROI. Together, we’ll explore what it takes to build a stronger, more supportive future for working families.

Meredith Lipnick

Meredith Lipnick

Director of Private Sector Strategy, Moms First

Wed, Jun 4  1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Powerful ERGs for Talent Retention

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) can be strategic assets for engagement, belonging, and retention. In this session, Felechia Hines and Toni Stark will share how manufacturers can build high-impact ERGs that contribute to a culture of inclusion, support career development, and drive employee loyalty. Learn best practices to strengthen your ERG structure, align with organizational goals, and measure success in retaining top talent.

Felechia Hines

Felechia Hines

Vice President, Human Resources - North America & Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Barry Callebaut

Toni Stark

Toni Stark

Strategic Sourcing Director, Illinois Tool Works

Stephen Gold

Stephen Gold - Moderator

President & CEO, Manufacturers Alliance

Stephen Gold has served as President and CEO of Manufacturers Alliance since March 2011. Over the past three decades, he has represented U.S. manufacturers in a variety of senior-level roles in nonprofit membership organizations, including in government relations, communications, and operations. Mr. Gold is presently a contributing columnist for IndustryWeek, and has served as an occasional guest columnist for The Washington Times. He regularly writes on topics such as the geopolitical challenges, automation and technology advances, workforce and demographic challenges, and public policy.

Wed, Jun 4  1:45pm - 2:30pm CDT

The Power of You: Personal Branding for Manufacturing Professionals

Ready to stand out in the manufacturing world? Join us for a dynamic session where you'll unlock the power of your personal brand. Discover your unique strengths, craft your authentic story, and harness LinkedIn to propel your career forward. Whether you're just starting out or aiming to climb higher, this session is your ticket to making a lasting impact.

What You'll Gain:
•    Define Your Brand: Pinpoint what sets you apart and how to showcase it.
•    Share Your Story: Learn to tell your journey in a way that captivates and connects.
•    Master LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn like a pro to boost your professional presence and network with industry leaders.

Kate Smiley-Rodgers

Kate Smiley-Rodgers

Global Employer Brand Director, GE Healthcare

Kate Rodgers is a seasoned brand marketing leader known for her storytelling prowess and ability to drive growth through innovative campaigns. With experience ranging from tech startups to Fortune 100 companies, she excels in brand strategy, digital marketing, and building exceptional teams. In her current role leading Global Employer Brand at GE HealthCare, Kate connects and creates business value through the $19.6B healthcare innovator’s 51,000 colleagues. She focuses on elevating the company’s reputation as a top talent destination, aligning employer branding with the company’s new brand, mission, and culture. Previously, as Global Brand Media Director, she managed creative media strategies and played a key role in GE HealthCare’s historic spin-off and rebrand, overseeing standout campaigns like the New York Times takeover and Care that Can. Prior to her multiple leadership roles throughout GE HealthCare, Kate led brand marketing for a SaaS company, leading their strategic rebrand, building out their marketing organization, and guiding their $100M acquisition.
 

Kate is a proud University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate, a dance teacher, yogi, and concert connoisseur (175 and counting).

Wed, Jun 4  1:45pm - 2:30pm CDT

Committing to Talent Development: Amsted's Approach to Mentorship

Join us for this discussion led by Erica Zawadzki, Annette O'Connor, and Christina Kmiec of Amsted Industries. Erica Zawadzki, Human Resources Manager, spearheads the mentorship efforts at Amsted Industries, while Annette O'Connor and Christina Kmiec, are current mentors in the 18-month program and are senior leaders at the organization. During this session, they will discuss the process for creating this program, the tactics used to select the right mentees and facilitate the mentor pairing, and will provide additional details on the program from the mentee and mentor perspective. 

Christina Kmiec

Christina Kmiec

Treasurer, Amsted Industries

Christina Kmiec is the Treasurer of Amsted Industries. Ms. Kmiec joined Amsted in 2004 and was most recently Vice President – International Finance and Strategic Planning at Amsted Rail. Ms. Kmiec has progressed through numerous roles at Amsted and Amsted Rail in Financial Planning and Analysis, Corporate Finance, Treasury, Procurement, and Business Development over her tenure with the company. Prior to Amsted, Ms. Kmiec was a senior financial analyst for Aon Corporation. Ms. Kmiec earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Masters of Business Administration from DePaul University.

Annette O'Connor

Annette O'Connor

Corporate Controller, Amsted Industries

Annette O’Connor is Corporate Controller. Ms. O’Connor joined Amsted in 2018. Ms. O’Connor comes to Amsted from RR Donnelley & Sons Company in Chicago, where she was Vice President Finance, Head of Internal Audit. During her tenure at RR Donnelley, she progressed through various financial roles including Investor Relations, Financial Planning & Analysis and Operations Finance. Annette began her accounting career with Ernst & Young LLP then went to McDonald’s and Follett Corporation before a successful career with RR Donnelley. Ms. O’Connor earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame and is also a certified public accountant.

Erica Zawadzki

Erica Zawadzki

Human Resources Manager, Amsted Industries

Erica Zawadzki is the Human Resources Manager at Amsted Industries. Ms. Zawadzki joined Amsted in September 2021 and leads human resources initiatives in support of enterprise functions and leadership. Prior to joining Amsted, she held a variety of human resources roles at Young Innovations, where she supported both corporate and operational teams. Ms. Zawadzki earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.

Danielle Kurkjian

Danielle Kurkjian - Moderator

Senior Manager, Philanthropy, Sustainability, and Equality, Crane Company

Danielle Kurkjian is the Senior Manager, Philanthropy, Sustainability, and Equality, at Crane Company where she has held numerous roles of growing responsibility. Currently she is responsible for developing the reporting framework for Crane Company's ESG (branded internally as philanthropy, sustainability, and equality) initiatives and staying current on all developments in the regulatory space. Besides managing the program and evolving regulatory state, she works closely with the company’s senior leadership team to set organization targets. She has her Maters of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business and a bachelors in Marine Science, Business Administration and Management from Boston University.

Wed, Jun 4  3:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

Wrigley Field Tour

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs with a backstage tour of Wrigley Field.

*Space is limited.

**Transportation is provided and will be communicated with attendees prior.

Wrigley Field Tour Guide

Wrigley Field Tour Guide

Wed, Jun 4  6:30pm - 8:30pm CDT

Exclusive Dinner Keynote: Asking for More, Strategic Negotiation

Join conference attendees for dinner accompanied by special programming from Anne Marie Nest.

Ask for More, Strategic Negotiation: Only 7% of people know the secret to great negotiation - but mastering it is simpler than many people think! No matter where they start, anyone can improve their negotiation skills and see quantum-leap results in their professional lives. In this innovative, interactive talk, Anne Marie gives audiences several powerful tools to achieve immediate, massive results in their negotiations. Straight from the pages of Alex Carter's Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Ask for More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything, participants learn how to ask powerful questions and then “land the plane” for the greatest effect. The results? Better deals, fewer losses, and a lot more collaboration across the board. 

Anne Marie Nest, Professional Coach and Executive Communications Consultant

Anne Marie Nest

Professional Coach and Executive Communications Consultant, Ask for More: Communications and Negotiation Training

Anne Marie Nest is committed to empowering voices. As a training and development specialist, she designs inclusive curriculum, facilitating content in a way meets the immediate challenges of the group, and creates a collaborative space that is fun and dynamic.

She has helped C-Suite Executives articulate their vision with power and authenticity; opened up the voices of a leading physicians so they can better champion for the uninsured; and created new theatre to amplify the stories of those in marginalized groups.

June 5

Thu, Jun 5  7:30am - 8:30am CDT

Breakfast

Fill your cup with coffee and conversations.

Thu, Jun 5  8:30am - 8:35am CDT

Opening Remarks

It's day two! Set the scene with us.

Stephen Gold

Stephen Gold

President & CEO, Manufacturers Alliance

Stephen Gold has served as President and CEO of Manufacturers Alliance since March 2011. Over the past three decades, he has represented U.S. manufacturers in a variety of senior-level roles in nonprofit membership organizations, including in government relations, communications, and operations. Mr. Gold is presently a contributing columnist for IndustryWeek, and has served as an occasional guest columnist for The Washington Times. He regularly writes on topics such as the geopolitical challenges, automation and technology advances, workforce and demographic challenges, and public policy.

Thu, Jun 5  8:35am - 9:15am CDT

Today's Leaders Uplifting Tomorrow's – A Discussion on Allyship

Are you uplifting your team? This panel will illuminate how leaders can be the strongest allies to the next generation rising to the top.

Jason Clayton

Jason Clayton

Chief Human Resource Officer, CIRCOR International

Dean Zimmerman

Dean Zimmerman

Vice President of Human Resources, Hendrickson USA

Stephen Gold

Stephen Gold - Moderator

President & CEO, Manufacturers Alliance

Stephen Gold has served as President and CEO of Manufacturers Alliance since March 2011. Over the past three decades, he has represented U.S. manufacturers in a variety of senior-level roles in nonprofit membership organizations, including in government relations, communications, and operations. Mr. Gold is presently a contributing columnist for IndustryWeek, and has served as an occasional guest columnist for The Washington Times. He regularly writes on topics such as the geopolitical challenges, automation and technology advances, workforce and demographic challenges, and public policy.

Thu, Jun 5  9:15am - 10:00am CDT

Get to the (Boardroom) Table: What’s Needed to Get Your First Board Seat

Take advice and best insights from our speakers' journeys as they grew their roles to also serve as members of a board. Join us as attendees learn how they can elevate their professional presence and stand out for open board roles.

Jana Croom, Chief Financial Officer, Kimball Electronics

Jana Croom

Chief Financial Officer, Kimball Electronics

Jana Croom is the Chief Financial Officer for Kimball Electronics, a global electronics manufacturing company (Nasdaq: KE). Croom is a trusted leader with 20 + years of strategy, finance, operations, regulatory and transformation experience. Croom prides herself on being a people champion who understands that financial success is human centered. As a C-suite executive, Jana drives strategic focus and prioritization, balancing customer, employee and investor expectations. 

Croom is a member of the board of directors for First Energy (NYSE: FE) a Midwest electric utility. In this capacity she serves on the Audit and Corporate Governance, Corporate Responsibility & Political Oversight committees. 

Jana is a member of Diligent’s 50 under 50 Next Generation Board Leaders, Russell Reynolds’ Black CFO roundtable and the Manufacturers Alliance’s CFO Council. Croom was part of the inaugural class of the McKinsey & Co. Black Executive Leadership Program (BELP). She is passionate about developing the next generation of finance leaders with a specific lens for diversity and is involved in many development programs offered by her company and externally. 

Jana holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of Wooster and a Masters of Business Administration from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

Alicia Davis, Lear Corporation

Alicia Davis

Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Lear Corporation

Alicia Davis is Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Lear Corporation. In this role, Alicia leads the Corporate Strategy and Development group, which works with the executive team to develop and drive Lear’s global strategy, coordinates the strategic planning process, and executes value-enhancing acquisitions, divestitures and strategic investments. Previously, she held the role of Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development. 

Ms. Davis joined Lear from the University of Michigan Law School, where she was a Professor and the Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and focused her teaching and research on corporate governance, capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. She continues to teach at the Law School as a Professor from Practice. 

Ms. Davis was previously a corporate lawyer at Kirkland & Ellis and prior to that an investment banker with Goldman Sachs and Raymond James, where she served as a vice president. Ms. Davis has an undergraduate degree in business administration from Florida A&M University, a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School, and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. 

Ms. Davis is a member of the Board of Directors of U.S. Steel Corporation.

Meenal Sethna, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Littelfuse

Meenal Sethna

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Littelfuse

Meenal A. Sethna joined Littelfuse in 2015 as Senior Vice President of Finance until assuming her current position in 2016. Prior to joining Littelfuse, Ms. Sethna served from 2011 to 2015 as Vice President and Corporate Controller of Illinois Tool Works Inc., a diversified manufacturer of specialized industrial equipment, consumables, and related service businesses. She has served on the board of directors of SPX Corporation since October 2019 and is a member of its audit committee. Ms. Sethna is a Certified Public Accountant in Illinois.

Michelle Drew Rodriguez, Partner, Roland Berger

Michelle Drew Rodriguez - Moderator

Partner, Roland Berger

Michelle Drew Rodriguez is a Partner in Roland Berger’s Chicago office. She has over two decades of industry and consulting experience with a special focus on corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, innovation, and next generation manufacturing. She has extensive experience and aptitude for creating and scaling growth opportunities, forging strong relationships, driving complex large-scale business transformations, developing industry recognized thought leadership, and building large high-performing diverse teams. She has led global players on growth & market entry strategies, organic and inorganic growth, broad based innovation, performance improvement, and business model transformation. Prior to joining Roland Berger, she worked with leading automotive and industrial groups around the world.

Rodriguez studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, and holds an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Thu, Jun 5  10:00am - 10:30am CDT

Networking

Intentional time to get to know fellow attendees.

Thu, Jun 5  10:30am - 11:15am CDT

Forging Your Path at the Plant

Explore the career path from operations to plant management and hear how hands-on experience can fuel leadership growth, strategic thinking, and long-term success with insights with former and current plant leaders, Rachel Lecrone and Karen Stephens in this panel.

Rachel Lecrone

Rachel Lecrone

Senior Solutions Partner, Verizon Business

Rachel Lecrone is a Senior Solutions Partner in Verizon's 5G Acceleration Team, where she assists customers in accelerating their digital transformations through the use of private wireless networks.

Rachel's career began in manufacturing as a Controls Engineer in heavy-duty engine assembly. Over her 25+ year career in manufacturing, she has held various roles, including Plant Manager of the Cummins after-treatment assembly plant in Mineral Point, WI, and Manufacturing Systems Leader, where she oversaw the manufacturing execution and process planning software used by Cummins plants worldwide. Rachel also launched the Cummins Industry 4.0 initiative, which focused on applying the latest digital technology to transform manufacturing operations.

Rachel resides in Pittsburgh, PA, with her children, Anna and Eddie, and their dog, Zandy. In her free time she enjoys running, and she recently completed her first marathon at Walt Disney World in January.

Karen Stephens

Karen Stephens

Plant Leader, Owens Corning

Kristin Graybill

Kristin Graybill - Moderator

Vice President, Commercial Strategy, Manufacturers Alliance

Kristin Graybill has been with Manufacturers Alliance since 2016 and currently serves as Vice President of Commercial Strategy. She leads Manufacturers Alliance's marketing, sales, and research and content, focused on customer experience, partnerships, and member sales that enhance the manufacturing community.

Before joining Manufacturers Alliance, Kristin served as the Director of Digital Marketing for Government and Healthcare at LexisNexis Risk Solutions and the Director of Digital Strategy and Marketing at a government technology-focused agency. She started her career working for a Member of Congress, at a political consulting agency, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in press and policy-related support roles.

She received her B.A. in Political Science from Allegheny College and a Certificate on Strategies That Build Winning Brands from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.

Thu, Jun 5  10:30am - 11:15am CDT

The Science of Exhaustion and Sustainable Energy: Why Managing Energy, Not Time, is Your Most Valuable Resource

As a leader, you’re constantly juggling the demands of achieving business goals, driving transformation, and adapting to evolving expectations—all within an increasingly complex and fast-changing environment. At home, the balancing act continues with family commitments, personal responsibilities, and the ever-elusive pursuit of self-care. It’s no surprise that exhaustion has become the norm.

In this session, Jenn Callaway will explain the science behind why today’s workplace and world are driving unprecedented exhaustion—and why managing your energy, not your time, is the key to lasting professional performance and personal well-being. She’ll also share practical, science-backed strategies and tools you can start using immediately to support your performance and recovery.

Jenn Callaway

Jenn Callaway

Regional Business Lead, North America | Global Head of Operations & Sales, Zest for Work

With over 20 years of experience in education, training, and consulting across North America, Europe, and Asia, Jenn has worn many hats—strategist, consultant, leader, trainer, and operational expert. She’s committed to people-first leadership and believes that wellbeing and sustainable performance go hand in hand.

Her passion for neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and the connection between the nervous system and performance began during her years as a dedicated competitive athlete. Before joining Zest, Jenn trained executives and their teams to integrate neuroscience-based principles and behavioral psychology insights into their commercial messaging, internal communications, and board presentations to improve individual communication effectiveness and drive business results.  

As the Head of Sales and Operations and North American business lead at Zest, Jenn leads sales and account management strategy and execution plans, oversees operational excellence, and manages key accounts in North America.

Jenn grew up in Canada, but has called Arlington, Virginia a suburb of Washington, DC home for the last two decades. She lives with her husband and two teenage daughters and in her free time enjoys the outdoors, experiencing the world through travel and food, and reading a good book to unwind.

Thu, Jun 5  11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

The Confident Voice: Owning Your Seat with Power in Manufacturing Leadership

In manufacturing, a strong voice is just as critical as technical expertise. This powerful session explores how women can cultivate executive presence, communicate with impact, and assert authority in male-dominated spaces. Through real-world insights and actionable strategies, attendees will leave empowered to not just occupy a seat at the table, but to command attention and influence key decisions with authenticity and power.

Grace Ngunu

Grace Ngunu

Senior Director, Global Revenue Growth, Donaldson Company

Grace is the Senior Director of Global Revenue Growth at Donaldson Company, where she spearheads transformational, long-term strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing commercial excellence, deepening customer relationships, and driving sustainable growth. Drawing on 17 years of manufacturing experience, she has successfully led diverse global functions, spanning information technology, business analysis, product management, and revenue operations.

Grace's collaborative spirit allows her to forge strong relationships and effectively drive organizational change. Her strengths-based leadership style fuels her passion for empowering individuals to unlock their full potential by discovering and leveraging their unique talents. She champions the professional growth and development of women through various initiatives, including her role on the board of Imara Girls International. 

Grace earned her MBA from the Carlson School of Management.
 

Thu, Jun 5  12:00pm - 1:30pm CDT

Lunch & Closing Keynote

Our final session together—let's make it a good one as we dine and listen to the last session of the day.