{"id":118803,"date":"2022-04-05T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-05T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=118803"},"modified":"2022-04-04T20:52:54","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T01:52:54","slug":"womens-empowerment-theme-of-university-of-mississippi-manufacturing-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/womens-empowerment-theme-of-university-of-mississippi-manufacturing-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Women’s Empowerment Theme of University of Mississippi Manufacturing Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Daylong event encourages women already in or considering STEM careers<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As Women’s History Month<\/strong> came to an end, female University of Mississippi<\/strong> students in STEM fields were strongly encouraged to empower themselves in the male-dominated manufacturing industry during a daylong conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 150 participants met Thursday, March 31, 2022 at The Inn at Ole Miss<\/strong> for\u00a0“Step Forward: Advancing Women in Manufacturing,”<\/a>\u00a0hosted by the\u00a0Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and the Manufacturing Institute. MI is the education and workforce partner of the National Association of Manufacturers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The conference accomplished everything we had hoped it would,” said Scott Kilpatrick<\/strong>, CME interim director. “Students took advantage of the opportunity to meet and learn from successful female leaders in the manufacturing industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The speakers represented an array of women in various stages of their careers, from rising achievers to seasoned veterans.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leslie Petrie<\/strong>, vice president of global environment, health and safety for International Paper, delivered the keynote address, encouraging attendees to be flexible and open to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Don’t be afraid of different experiences as you chart your career path,” Petrie said. “Embrace change! Life begins outside of our comfort zones, so expose yourself to new people and places.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petrie also encouraged the predominantly female audience to be good stewards of their talents by asking lots of questions and being observant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“That’s how I made my journey from being a good math student in a small town in Wisconsin to my current top management position in Memphis,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three CME alumnae returned to campus to share their career paths in a mid-morning panel discussion. Joanna Harrelson<\/strong>, professor of practice in the UM Department of Chemical Engineering<\/strong>, moderated the question-and-answer session that included Harleigh Huggins<\/strong>, planning and development manager for AkzoNobel<\/strong>; Lauren Kiel<\/strong>, business analyst for McKinsey & Co.<\/strong>; and Elizabeth Taylor<\/strong>, quality engineer manager for Toyota Motor Manufacturing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Issues the panelists addressed included finding your career path, meeting and overcoming challenges, strategies for career advancement, finding and becoming role models, and striking a balance between personal and professional goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encouraging networking and interaction, Al Jorgenson, vice president of strategic engagement and inclusion for the MI, divided the audience into three groups for a “Reciprocity Ring” session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the 90-minute exercise, individuals shared both personal and professional requests with other members within their group. By the session’s conclusion, all participants had opportunities to receive help from one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following lunch, two professionals shared their toughest challenges and how they were able to tackle obstacles head-on. Presenters for the TED Talk<\/strong>-formatted segment were Swee Har Wilcox<\/strong>, director of human resources for Ceco Door\/ASSA ABLOY<\/strong>; and Alyssa Van Delden<\/strong>, melt shop supervisor for Nucor Steel Kankakee, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The most important lessons I learned after the plant I was managing closed were (to) build relationships, put people first, take care of business, focus on your mission, think outside the box and celebrate everything,” Wilcox said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Van Delden, who said her goal is to become the first female melt shop manager in her company’s history, encouraged the women to persevere in their career goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m not afraid to make mistakes along the way,” she said. “There will be difficulties along the way to reaching your goals, but keep working at it. It will get easier.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several successful executives shared tips and secrets for success in “What I Wish I Knew,” moderated by Courtney Taylor<\/strong>, deputy director for strategy and programs with Accelerate Mississippi<\/strong>. Panelists were Emily Lauder<\/strong>, vice president of Toyota Manufacturing Mississippi<\/strong>; Frankie Adaire<\/strong>, operations manager at Raytheon<\/strong>; and Transito James<\/strong>, director of operations at Milwaukee Tool<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s so important to listen, learn and then launch,” Lauder said. “Don’t be so quick to make changes before you understand how things work.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women in leadership roles must learn to accept feedback and delegate responsibility, Adair said. “No one expects you to know everything or to do it all by yourself,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James echoed Adair’s observation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Always be sensitive to the micro-messaging that goes on within their company,” James said. “Knowing the thoughts of the people you supervise can make or break your success as their manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Be aware of subtle dissatisfactions that, unaddressed, could grow into major problems later.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closing workshops addressed recruiting a personal board of director and building your own brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Edwin B. Smith<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Courtney Taylor (left), deputy director for strategy and programs with Accelerate Mississippi, moderates the ‘What I Wish I Knew’ panel discussion that included (from left) Emily Lauder, vice president of Toyota Manufacturing Mississippi; Frankie Adaire, operations manager at Raytheon; and Transito James, director of operations at Milwaukee Tool. Photo by Thomas Graning\/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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