SME’s esteemed community of presidents has been an important part of the organization's history and an integral part of its future. The past presidents consist of some amazing female leaders including Sandra Bouckley, Dianne Chong, Susan Smyth, and the first female president elected, Barbara Fossum.

Achieving gender diversity in engineering and creating diverse teams foster innovative thinking, and improve group dynamics and outcomes, emphasizing the valuable perspectives women can add. The importance of role models and the necessity of addressing systemic issues to genuinely attract and retain more women in the profession are key to realizing the benefits of true diversity in experiences and perspectives.

As we step into the future of manufacturing, one of the critical factors for success is embracing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Women are among the many groups historically underrepresented in the manufacturing sector. It is imperative to shed light on the importance of empowering women in manufacturing for the industry to flourish. 

The Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Hall of Fame honored 10 leaders who have made outstanding contributions during their established careers. Recipients include women dedicated to supporting, promoting, and inspiring other women in the manufacturing industry.

The Women MAKE Awards honors exceptional women who inspire the next generation of women in manufacturing and exemplify leadership within their companies.

While AM technology is attracting innovators and engineers across verticals, disciplines and applications, only 13% of the industry is currently comprised of women. To move the needle, SME wants to be part of an industry-wide effort to shine a light on women making an impact in AM.

Recently, SME recognized impressive achievers who brought their diverse backgrounds, education, and experience to manufacturing and made a difference. Many of these young manufacturers included women who are making an impact across industries.