Dig Your Heels In: A Working Woman’s Series with Allison Grealis

There are a number of industries that have historically had a disproportionate amount of male or female workers. Women dominate education and healthcare while more men have worked in construction and the manufacturing industry. To meet this difference, Allison Grealis, President and Founder of the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM), combines her 22 years of experience in the trade association space to sit down with host Shannon Maverick to discuss what it’s like to be a woman in such a male-dominated space and the future for women in the industry.

The national trade association founded by Grealis is focused on supporting, promoting, and inspiring women in the manufacturing sector. Over the past decade, female participation in manufacturing has grown 3%, up to 30%. While manufacturing is still a male-dominated industry, this growth continues to inspire for the future of women in the industry.

Grealis acknowledged that while only 1 in 4 manufacturing leaders are women, according to the US Census Bureau, her organization is set to change that.

With over 12,000 members and 30 chapters throughout the United States, WiM is opening doors for women in manufacturing and encouraging them to explore the industry, whether through school, referrals, or apprenticeship opportunities.

The industry is only set to expand. It is estimated that there will be a 2.8 million worker shortage in the industry by 2028 and Grealis said, “There’s lots of opportunities for women to apply their talent and their expertise,” while the industry continues to improve its recruitment process.

The Women in Manufacturing Association aims to help, “Our goal is for women not to feel alone, not to feel isolated,” stated Grealis. The association does this by connecting women to resources, peers, and sponsors. In doing so, Grealis said, “We’ve seen more mobility and advancement,” in manufacturing positions, especially in leadership positions which fights the preconceived notion that women can’t be hands-on within the industry.

Maverick noted Grealis’ own experience in a male-dominated industry must have had its challenges, “How did you navigate your own path through this male-dominated industry?”

Grealis answered with one of the most important lessons she learned early on: that it was pertinent to be open to a “different learning curve,” and to “not be afraid to ask for help.”

Tune in to the series for more stories on women in the workplace and to learn more about WiM, visit https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org/.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

rankings
Krow Knows: How Fair Are the College Football Playoff Rankings?
November 22, 2024

The college football playoff rankings generate intense debate as the sport undergoes significant shifts due to conference realignments, NIL deals, and transfer portal dynamics. The dominance of the SEC and Big Ten raises questions about fairness, while committee inconsistencies frustrate fans and analysts. For instance, four of the top five ranked teams hail from…

Read More
OEM in the AV Industry
The Role of OEM in the AV Industry: Shaping Innovation, Quality, and Market Competition
November 22, 2024

As technology reshapes the AV industry, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are emerging as critical partners for businesses seeking tailored solutions. Whether it’s bespoke LED displays or high-end audio systems, OEM in the AV industry is redefining how companies innovate, differentiate, and meet market demands. This raises a crucial question for professionals navigating this space—how…

Read More
Staying Competitive in a Changing Parcel Landscape
Staying Competitive in a Changing Parcel Landscape
November 20, 2024

In the latest episode of On Time in Full, host Gabrielle Bejarano welcomes Satyen Pathak, a Senior Account Executive at Designed Conveyor Systems (DCS), to discuss trends shaping the parcel market and strategies for companies to remain competitive. With over 20 years of industry experience, Pathak shares his insights into the evolving needs within supply…

Read More
blue collar
Building Efficient and Engaged Blue-Collar Workforces Begins with Leadership Rooted in Personal Development
November 20, 2024

According to a study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, over 2.1 million manufacturing jobs could remain unfilled by 2030 due to a lack of skilled talent. This workforce shortage reveals a critical gap in leadership within blue-collar industries. Without strong leadership to develop teams and foster growth, businesses face inefficiencies, low morale, and…

Read More