Don’t Underestimate the Impact of Mentorship
November 25, 2025Comments
In November 2016, MetalForming magazine, in cooperation with Women in Manufacturing, launched the inaugural Women of Excellence (WoE) program. Our goal: Recognize women impacting the metal forming and fabricating industry by excelling at all levels.
With this issue, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the program, recognizing another 53 Women of Excellence and bringing the total number of recognitions to well over 500.
Efforts abound from all corners of the manufacturing landscape to attract more women to manufacturing careers. A great example: the Manufacturing Institute’s (MI) Women Make America mentoring program, as part of its 35x30 campaign that aims to increase the percentage of women in the industry from 30% to 35% by 2030.
Per the MI website, women who are mentored are better prepared for promotions and have higher success rates; stay with their organizations longer; feel more satisfied with their jobs and careers; and rate higher on performance measures. They’re also more likely to pay it forward than men, making women-woman mentorships a great multiplier.
The MI mentoring program “aims to create a nationwide movement designed to change perceptions by training more than 1000 female mentors by 2030,” officials say, “and helping them connect to younger women in the industry and beyond by engaging with women in 4-yr. colleges and universities, community colleges, high schools and middle schools.”
Please appreciate what the women honored in this issue have to say when describing what manufacturing means to them and, for many, the impact that mentoring has had. Here are just a few of their thoughts; read more.
“Manufacturing is not just about producing parts—it’s about building confidence, developing leadership and contributing to something that truly matters. It’s a place where women can lead, inspire others and help shape the future of the industry.”
—Kellie Adams, quality engineer, Oberg Industries
“Manufacturing is dynamic and fast-paced, with endless opportunities for every type of personality, skill set and aptitude. It allows individuals to express creativity, entrepreneurship, continuous improvement, ingenuity, personal growth, problem solving and mentorship. In my role I can help usher in the next generation and not only share my passion for manufacturing but expose young employees and potential employees to the diverse range of opportunities.”
—Amy Boakes, VP-supply chain and customer fulfillment, D&H Industries
