SME Celebrates 20 Exceptional Women in Robotics and Automation

SME, the professional association committed to advancing manufacturing and developing a skilled workforce, today recognized 20 successful female leaders working to broaden the use of robotics and automation in the smart manufacturing market globally.

This international group of women represent a comprehensive cross section of technologies in robotics and automation. Their common thread: a heightened awareness of the inherent impact humans exert on our planet, as well as the positive impact that concerted efforts in their various disciplines can have. The list was developed by SME’s Smart Manufacturing magazine, in consultation with several leaders – both women and men – from across the robotics and automation industries. The list includes leaders from industrial companies as well as leaders with robotics vendors such a Fetch Robotics and 6 River Systems.

“Although we as an industry have miles to go in balancing diversity in manufacturing, those with the knowledge, creativity and drive to raise the level of technology and innovation can achieve success,” said Robert Willig, executive director and CEO of SME. “This group of women has not only the vision to create new products – and in some cases even new product categories – they also have the technological background and the business acumen to bring them to market and a willingness to teach others the processes necessary to make the next generations successful in our industry.”

According to Nicole Williams, who is among the women honored and who has been an SME member since 2019, getting involved in organizational and industry programs such as the FIRST Robotics Competition, for which she has been a volunteer for 10 years, has helped her reach out to young women to encourage them to develop their STEM knowledge and practical skills.

“My message to girls in FIRST is to get involved early, stay active and embrace every opportunity,” she said. “It’s the hardest fun you’ll ever have!” Williams works as the thermoplastics composite materials and process manager for The Boeing Co., in St. Louis, Mo.

20 Exceptional Women in Robotics and Automation

1. Jade Le Maître, Emerging Technologies Leader, CGI
2. Nuzha Yakoob, Head of Technology & Innovation, Festo
3. Roberta Nelson Shea, Global Technical Compliance Officer, Universal Robots
4. Gillan Hawkes, VP of Product & Analytics, 6 River Systems
5. Tessa Lau, CEO, Dusty Robotics
6. Melonee Wise, CEO, Fetch Robotics
7. Lisa Masciantonio, Chief Workforce Officer, Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute
8. Marie-Christine Caron, Senior Engineering Section Manager, GE Aviation (Global Robotics and Automation R&D Center)
9. Fritzi Moneza, Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer, Advanced Automation, Northrop Grumman
10. Sue Keay, CEO, Queensland AI Hub
11. Susanne Lauda, Director, Global Advanced Manufacturing Technology, AGCO
12. Helen Greiner, CEO, Tertill
13. Helena Samsioe, CEO and Founder, GLOBHE (Global Health)
14. Amy Elliott, Research Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
15. Rosa Ciprian, Senior Electrical Engineer Lead, Alert Innovation
16. Elena Messina, Group Leader Manipulation & Mobility Systems, NIST
17. Christine Spiten, Co-founder, Blueye Robotics
18. Nicole Renee Williams, Thermoplastic Composite Materials and Process Manager, The Boeing Co.
19. Cynthia Breazeal, Professor and Associate Director, MIT Media Lab
20. Leah Curry, President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana

The Feb. 2021 issue of Smart Manufacturing magazine provides a more extensive article detailing the accomplishments of the women selected in this exceptional group.

Read the full article here.