CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Women in Manufacturing™ (WiM) is delighted to announce the launch of its Education Foundation (WiMEF) which has been officially designated as a 501(c)(3) as of last month.
The WiM Education Foundation’s mission is to provide women in manufacturing with year-round access to affordable and effective educational opportunities. WiMEF also aims to empower industry women by assisting them in their professional development.
“Success in the modern manufacturing sector requires specific skills and expertise,” shared Allison Grealis, president and founder of WiM. “WiM’s new Education Foundation will enable us to offer a variety of industry-specific opportunities to our more than 650 members. Through the foundation, we will work diligently to develop and deliver high-impact programming, as well as establish beneficial educational partnerships.”
WiM is proud to have a dynamic and diverse group leading this important initiative. The WiMEF Board of Directors includes 12 top industry executives from around the country, including:
Karla Aaron (Hialeah Metal Spinning, Inc.), Griselda Abousleman (Ingersoll Rand), Elizabeth Engels (Tata Steel), Allison Giddens (Win-Tech, Inc.), Barri Gurau (Independent), Lisa Habe (Interlake Industries, Inc.), Una Lauricia (Eaton Corporation), Sheila LaMothe (TRUMPF Inc.), Anne Ross (Foley & Lardner LLP), Sabrina Weaver (Owens-Illinois, Inc.), Catherine Werner (GE Appliances), Gretchen Zierick (Zierick Manufacturing Corporation).
The addition of the foundation coincides with WiM’s unparalleled support for women in the manufacturing sector. In 2015, WiM partnered with Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management to produce a first-of-its-kind executive education program designed specifically for women in manufacturing. WiM’s Virtual Learning Series, a bimonthly webinar series sponsored by Arconic Foundation, is another example of WiM’s commitment to continuous education. Programs such as these, and others that are currently in the works, will be supported through the foundation.
“One of my top priorities as WiM’s 2016 Chairperson is to ensure that our members, whether on the shop floor or in the C-Suite, have the opportunity to receive training necessary for advancement in the manufacturing sector,” said Sheila LaMothe, 2016 Chairperson of the Board. “I am passionate about this topic because I believe that workforce development is essential to the growth and success of our industry. The establishment of our 501(c)(3) will better allow us to impact the lives of those interested in making a difference in their own career and the industry itself.”
Strong support from the manufacturing community is critical to the success of the WiMEF. The WiMEF is currently accepting funding from industry advocates, and your contribution will make the creation and execution of programs, services and resources possible. For more information regarding WiM’s Education Foundation or the opportunity to become a WiMEF Founding Partner, please contact Kristin Moore at kmoore@womeninmfg.org or 216-503-5700.
Women in Manufacturing is a more than 650-member-strong national association dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry. This group encourages the engagement of women who want to share perspectives, gain cutting-edge manufacturing information, improve leadership and communication skills, participate in sponsoring programs and network with industry peers. Members benefit from exclusive access to regional and national programming, networking opportunities, mentoring and sponsoring programs, bimonthly professional development webinars, a customized employment tool called WiMWorks, online discussion communities, the quarterly Impact e-newsletter and a robust searchable directory. www.womeninmanufacturing.org
