Executive Director Honored in Women in Manufacturing Article

Kathryn Kelley, executive director of the Ohio Manufacturing Institute at The Ohio State University was included in a Temboo IoT Blog on "20 Women in Manufacturing That Are Influencing the Industry"

The author indicated that as a women-owned business, Temboo decided to increase the visibility of women in an industry in which they are underrepresented. A Deloitte report found that women make up only 29% of the manufacturing workforce.

Below is an excerpt from the article:

Kathryn has over 20 years’ experience in program leadership and strategic communications at industry-oriented higher education, economic development and statewide technology organizations. As part of her current role at OMI, she produces the “Manufacturing Tomorrow” podcast which was named one of Temboo’s top manufacturing podcasts.

I asked Kathryn how she got started and what she likes the most about covering manufacturing stories for the podcast and she said, “When I began working at the Ohio Manufacturing Institute over five years ago, I met with a number of manufacturers and industry associations while conducting projects. Each manufacturer’s story is unique, so providing a voice for their origin stories, their pain points and successes provides great fodder from listeners and readers to learn.”

“The work that OMI engages in to support the industry is informed by the research and manufacturing news that is gathered through industry trade journals and federal agency assessments, such as those from the National Institute for Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Program, the Manufacturing Institute, IndustryWeek and numerous trade publications.  First of all, we look to industry to determine what is of news to them, through the stories being told during interviews and focus groups or the Manufacturing Tomorrow podcast. Being able to synthesize and apply this information to support manufacturers effectively is the hallmark of our organization.”

She also shared her advice for women who would like to start a career in journalism or manufacturing, saying, “As someone who minored in journalism and eventually charted a path in manufacturing policy and programs, I have realized that an ecosystem of women exists in both fields who are more than willing to mentor those wanting to start their careers in either field. Women are change agents, whether they are on the manufacturing shop floor or reporting on major events that affect our livelihoods. Our perspectives provide strong contributions to a diverse workforce – we need to own that power at the workplace. That doesn’t mean that we can’t show our human side.  I recall interviewing Ashley Thompson, a Lima, Ohio manufacturing supplier of water bottles to Walmart.  She mentioned that some days, she is a great president but has to compromise with picking up pizza for her children; her struggles with balancing the executive-mother role was refreshing to learn.”

Women are change agents, whether they are on the manufacturing shop floor or reporting on major events that affect our livelihoods. Our perspectives provide strong contributions to a diverse workforce – we need to own that power at the workplace. 

The full article is available at https://blog.temboo.com/20-influential-women-in-manufacturing/.