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It's the 2020 class of Influential Women In Manufacturing

May 7, 2020

"It's one of my favorite moments of the year."

It's one of my favorite moments of the year...the announcement of the Influential Women in Manufacturing honorees.

Editor in Chief Chris McNamara

This annual celebration of excellence is produced by Putman Media, publisher of Chemical Processing, Control, Control Design, Food Processing, Pharma Manufacturing, Plant Services and us here at Smart Industry.

Honorees were selected from 88 nominations that came in during the spring. A team of 12 judges—comprised of seven Putman editors and five IWIM alumni—reviewed and voted on this year’s entries. 

“We’re honored to welcome these 20 women into the third annual class of Influential Women In Manufacturing," said John Cappelletti, CEO of Putman Media. "Their nominations—and the people who nominated them—remind us that with determination and passion for progress, anything is possible."

The 2020 Influential Women in Manufacturing (IWIM) honorees will be profiled in a dedicated e-book to be released by Putman Media this summer. They will also be recognized during an event taking place at the end of September. (We'll share news as it becomes available.) 

As one of the IWIM judges, I am inspired each year by the talent and passion exhibited by nominees and winners. It's always an impressive collection of professionals, and we try to tap into their insights throughout the year in our content to enable you to steal some of their good ideas. 

Take a look at the newest class of winners below, and learn more about the full Influential Women In Manufacturing program here

  • Helen Kane, Engineering Manager, Advanced Energy Industries
  • Amy Grace, Applied Data Science Fellow, Collins Aerospace
  • Dafni Bika, Global Head Pharmaceutical Technology and
    Development, Astrazeneca
  • Haleyanne Freedman, Market Manager and Engineering Consultant, M Holland
  • JoAnna Sohovich, CEO, Chamberlain Group
  • Emily Martin, Industrial Engineering Manager, Endress+Hauser
  • Jennifer Blanchette, Director of Manufacturing, Baxter Healthcare
  • JoyL Silva, General Manager, Pfizer CentreOne
  • Cindy Jaudon, President, IFS Americas
  • Lisa Zasada, Global Reliability Engineering Director, General Mills
  • Christy Thompson, Principal Engineer, Global Engineering, General Mills
  • Mary Beth Seasholtz, Technology Leader for the Data Services Capability, Dow
  • Jesika Young, CEO, Cimtech, Inc
  • Taylor Claiborne, Operations Specialist – Perfect Execution, Emerson
  • Julie Camardo, CEO, Zweigles, Inc.
  • Cindy Tomei, Vice President, Membership Growth & Engagement, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association
  • Colleen Herczak, Vice President, Quality, Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM)
  • Meghan West, President, CNC Software, Inc.
  • Barbara Juncosa, Department Chair, MiraCosta College
  • Sascha Harrell, Director of Education and Workforce, Purdue University Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center