Additional agenda and speaker details are being added frequently. Check back soon.
Tuesday, May 13
Doors Open / Networking
7:45 am - 8:30 am
Opening Remarks
8:30 am - 8:50 am
Speakers
Petra Mitchell
Petra Mitchell is the President and CEO of Catalyst Connection, a private, nonprofit economic development organization dedicated to helping manufacturers with management consulting and technical assistance leading to business growth and job creation. Catalyst Connection is part of the... Read More
Winning the Talent Game: Strategies for Scaling, Hiring, and Retention
8:55 am - 9:25 am
Join our expert panel for a discussion focused on scaling, hiring, and retention strategies.
Panelists
Doug Gudenburr
As President of DMI Companies, Douglas Gudenburr oversees the organization, sets strategic goals, and ensures the company’s long-term success by working closely with the DMI Board of Directors and his senior executive team to make key decisions that impact... Read More
Victor Mroczkowski
Victor Mroczkowski is the Executive Vice President of Operations at Re:Build Manufacturing, Total Production Solutions, where he leads a group of industrial businesses focused on operational excellence, advanced technologies, and strategic growth. He brings over a decade of executive... Read More
Melissa Vecchi
Melissa Vecchi is a dedicated leader, mother, and community advocate with a lifelong passion for education. Her experienced in manufacturing brings collaboration, conflict resolution, innovation, and a strong commitment for workforce development to the industry. Throughout her career, she... Read More
The University of Pittsburgh – A Regional Partner for Workforce Development
9:30 am - 10:00 am
This panel will address how the University of Pittsburgh supports the broader business community through workforce development initiatives. As the Executive Director for the Pitt CSB, I will discuss our efforts on Resilience Strategies and insights from it that manufacturers can use to create resilient value.
Speakers
Christopher Barlow
Christopher Barlow is the Head of Strategic Partnerships for the School of Business, University of Pittsburgh (Pitt). As a department lead, he works to create value-added partnerships between the university, corporations and other community-based partners such as governments, associations,... Read More
Chris Gassman
Chris Gassman is an innovator with decades of experience growing companies sustainably. His 5yr BHAG: Help generate $1T in Revenue by making the world a thriving place for all. Chris’s endeavors have added both bottom-line and top-line value to UN... Read More
Tyler Kimmel
I’ve been in higher education for almost a decade, with the majority of that time here at Pitt. I’m passionate about student career success and love seeing a student’s hard work payoff with a co-op/internship offer. I’m an avid... Read More
Revolutionizing Leadership Development in Manufacturing Through AI
10:05 am - 10:35 am
In this session, we will explore how companies can holistically leverage AI to attract, retain, and optimize their workforce, with a particular focus on leadership development in the manufacturing sector. Discover how AI-driven mentorship is transforming the way organizations identify and cultivate high-potential talent, align individual growth with operational goals, and retain critical leaders in a competitive talent market.
We will share actionable strategies for building personalized development pathways, enhancing employee engagement, and fostering a culture of innovation and resilience. By examining real-world use cases, this presentation will empower manufacturing leaders to embrace cutting-edge technology to address persistent workforce challenges and prepare their teams for the future.
The manufacturing industry is facing a talent crisis, with organizations struggling to attract, develop, and retain the leadership necessary for driving innovation and efficiency. This session will discuss how AI can be a game-changer in tackling these challenges by enabling manufacturers to:
- Identify and Develop High-Potential Talent: Learn how AI can uncover hidden potential within your workforce. By analyzing performance metrics, communication patterns, and team dynamics, organizations can target emerging leaders and provide them with personalized development plans.
- Retain Top Talent Through Engagement: Understand how engaging mentorship programs can increase retention by aligning employees' career growth with organizational objectives. AI leverages data to ensure employees feel valued, supported, and challenged, thereby reducing turnover in high-impact roles.
- Build Resilience for the Future: Explore how AI-driven leadership development prepares manufacturing teams to adapt to change, embrace innovation, and sustain operational excellence in an increasingly complex business landscape.
Attendees will leave with an actionable framework to integrate advanced technology into their leadership development processes, ensuring they are equipped to meet the evolving demands of the manufacturing industry.
Key Discussion Points:
- The critical importance of leadership development for workforce stability in manufacturing.
- How AI enhances traditional HR practices and aligns individual growth with organizational goals.
- Real-life success stories from manufacturers leveraging AI for transformational impact.
This presentation aims to shift the focus from specific products to a broader understanding of how AI can be utilized to optimize workforce management and development in the manufacturing sector.
Speaker
Michael Hruska
Mike Hruska is a seasoned technologist and AI specialist leading Problem Solutions, an innovative technology agency with a 20-year history. With a background as a researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), he excels in turning... Read More
Break / Networking
10:35 am - 11:00 am
5 Minute Rapid Fires (Morning)
Student Run Manufacturing Enterprise (SRME) – Building Future Talent through School and Industry Collaboration
11:00 am - 11:05 am
Learn about the Student Run Manufacturing Enterprise (SRME) program, an innovative career readiness model based on a highly collaborative partnership between education and industry. Students make real parts for real companies, add value to the supply chain, and develop technical and soft skills while establishing relationships that can lead directly to employment and career opportunities after high school.
Speaker
Rebecca Walker
Rebecca Walker grew up in a manufacturing community in northwest Pennsylvania and currently serves as President of Student Run Manufacturing Enterprise. Rebecca has been involved in education for most of her career, in just about every role from teacher... Read More
Power Your Robotics Journey with the ARM Institute
11:05 am - 11:10 am
In this session, learn how the ARM Institute helps manufacturers, both nationally and locally, adopt robotics and AI solutions. You'll leave this five minute session understanding how you can prepare your existing workforce to work with Industry 4.0 technologies, grow your workforce through RoboticsCareer.org, and access free resources to help you with robotics technology adoption. This actionable session will provide you with next steps about how you can get started on your robotics journey.
Speaker
Livia Rice
Livia Rice is the Director of Outreach & Engagement for the ARM Institute. In this role, she leads all ARM Institute marketing, communications, events activities, and supporting key strategic initiatives, including RoboticsCareer.org and the Robotics Manufacturing Hub program. Having... Read More
Apprenticeship Collaborative
11:10 am - 11:15 am
Safety Training – Important to Workforce Development!
11:20 am - 11:40 am
In the drive to get workers into the manufacturing workforce, they receive training in a trade or how to perform tasks according to a company's quality standards. Training is needed for the worker to work safely by following workplace safety rules that keep the worker from being injured or injuring coworkers. This safety component needs to be integrated into the overall training or apprenticeship program. By training a worker to perform their job safely and to not get injured increases efficiency, quality, and productivity.
Speaker
Wayne Vanderhoof
Wayne Vanderhoof is a Certified Safety Professional with more than 30 years of experience in public safety, mechanical engineering design, and worker safety. For the past 17 years, Wayne has been the Senior Consultant and President of RJR Safety... Read More
Strategy Meets Culture: The Power Couple of Execution
11:45 am - 12:05 pm
While leaders and their teams have a desire to grow, individually and as an organization, it doesn’t always occur and if so, often not on a sustained basis. In this talk, Mark unpacks why organizations (and their employees) hit these barriers and what it takes to break through. With real stories and practical examples, he reveals a simple truth: consistent growth and lasting success require two things working together—a clear strategy and a strong culture. Mark will demonstrate why these two forces must be pursued concurrently, consistently, and intentionally to drive execution and sustain success.
Speaker
Mark Joseph
Mark Joseph began leading organizations at age 27, purchasing a $600K business in the pollution control industry and growing it to $20M over 16 years. He has since led three additional organizations, including in ministry, each achieving significant growth... Read More
Lunch / Networking
12:05 pm - 1:00 pm
5-Minute Rapid Fires (Afternoon)
BotsIQ: 20 Years of Innovation
1:05 pm - 1:10 pm
BotsIQ is a workforce development program by the Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Foundation. It nurtures youth’s interest in manufacturing careers, offering hands-on learning experiences to foster STEM education, provide technical resources to schools, and connect students with industry mentors. BotsIQ aims to bridge the skills gap and build a competent future manufacturing workforce.
Their Executive Director, Michel Conklin, will discuss the 20th anniversary of their high school program along with a few new programs.
Speaker
Michel Conklin
Michel leads the development and expansion of BotsIQ in southwestern Pennsylvania. She collaborates with partner organizations to provide hands-on projects and learning opportunities for youth and works to raise awareness and interest in manufacturing career pathways. During her time... Read More
National Center for Urban Solutions – Untapped Talent Pools and Manufacturing Training Program
1:10 pm - 1:15 pm
SkillMill19 Learning Lab at the Manufacturing Innovation Center
1:15 pm - 1:20 pm
Curiosity Meets Career: How i³ STEM is Empowering the Next Generation
1:20 pm - 1:25 pm
i³ STEM is Covestro's education outreach program that helps leverage the company’s current and future workforce through hands-on, inquiry-based STEM education, workplace experiences and employee volunteerism. Collaboration, curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving are among the STEM skills most highly prized in today’s world. And the best way to empower students with these skills is through hands-on, experiential science learning, as well as to exposure to working STEM professionals and real-world experience in the STEM workplace. That’s what i³ STEM is all about.
Speaker
Ben Renwick
Ben Renwick is the STEM Education Lead at Covestro LLC, where he oversees STEM community outreach in the Pittsburgh area and regional manufacturing sites. With a focus on creating lasting impact through Covestro’s workforce, he collaborates with over 40... Read More
The Next Chapter: Crafting a Successful Succession Plan
1:30 pm - 1:55 pm
Brad Franc's presentation on succession planning for closely-held manufacturing businesses will delve into the critical steps required for a seamless leadership and ownership transition. He will outline his comprehensive 6-stage process, The Succession Solution, which addresses tax, legal, financial, and familial considerations. Attendees will gain insights into establishing long-term goals, identifying potential challenges, and creating actionable plans tailored to their unique business needs. This presentation aims to equip manufacturing company leaders with the tools and strategies necessary to ensure their businesses thrive through generational changes.
Speaker
Bradley J. Franc
Brad Franc is a seasoned entrepreneur, business advisor, and author of “The Succession Solution: The Strategic Guide to Business Transition”. He created The Succession Solution, a comprehensive 6-stage succession planning process that addresses tax, legal, financial, and familial aspects... Read More
Building a Digital Workforce Center of Excellence
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Workforce development, training, and employee engagement are facing a fundamental shift. The advent of AI, machine learning, and new technologies are transforming how we engage with our employees. This session explores how companies can embrace technology to rapidly advance learning, skills development, and reduce the cycle time to onboard skilled workers. In addition, we will discuss the governance required to manage and deploy this technology. Hear real-world experiences from Don Racey - Engage, Craig Waller - Rewyndr, and Thomas Bloom - Kobold Instruments.
Speaker
Donald Racey
Don is the CEO of Engage Global Advisors. Engage serves the manufacturing, diversified energy, and private equity industries. Engage works with companies to reduce costs, improve performance and mitigate risk. Connect with Donald. ... Read More
Craig Waller
Craig Waller is a seasoned entrepreneur and the driving force behind Rewyndr, where he serves as Founder and CEO. With a career marked by a deep commitment to innovation and operational excellence, Craig has built a reputation for transforming... Read More
Break / Networking
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm
Helping Your Stars to Shine
2:30 pm - 2:45 pm
In the challenging environment that small-to-mid-sized business work in, talent and culture are keys to great performance. Most businesses have younger, high potential employees that can help improve performance now and in the future. This session will describe one method with a significant track record of success.
Speaker
Bryan J Fischer
Bryan has been in consulting his entire career, ranging from Big 4 to now operating his own practice for more than 15 years. He specializes in helping small-to-mid-sized businesses improve performance through strategic planning and execution and building high... Read More
Cultivating Change: Transforming Culture for Success
2:50 pm - 3:05 pm
In this session, learn how to successfully navigate change and lead a transformation culture for success. Mentoring and coaching through times of change can be challenging but also the most rewarding. In stressful times, people require greater empathy, transparency and direction. Learn how to recognize your own attitudes toward change, how to keep your employees grounded and focused, and how to redefine team dynamics so you emerge stronger and more resilient. When you learn how to adapt to constant change, you become a better teammate, employee, and a happier you!
Speaker
Linda Trevenen
Trevenen AdvisingLinda Trevenen is a senior business executive with over 35 years’ experience driving business growth with prominent global healthcare organizations: Allergan, Johnson & Johnson, Dentsply, and Philips Healthcare. Now semi-retired, she provides services as an executive coach and business... Read More
How to be a David in a Goliath Employee Benefits World!
3:10 pm - 3:20 pm
When it come to our health, our health insurance coverage and costs, it feels like everything is working against us. Our premiums and out of pockets costs are rising faster than we can keep up with. Our lifestyle and foods are destroying our health and there is nothing in place to help us navigate a better outcome. Or is there? I will talk about the tools and resources available to give you the edge.
Speaker
Craig Pritts
Craig Pritts started his career helping businesses with their benefit plans in 2007 with JRG Advisors and was a part of the team that merged with Emerson Reid, LLC, to become My Benefit Advisor. Today Craig serves as an... Read More
15 Minutes. 15 Percent. A Workforce You Can’t Ignore.
3:20 pm - 3:35 pm
Manufacturers across Southwestern Pennsylvania are navigating a tight labor market, searching for talent while often overlooking one of the region’s largest untapped talent pools: individuals with disabilities. With 15% of the global population living with a disability, and Pittsburgh’s reputation as a city of innovation, inclusion, and grit—there’s no better time to reframe what workforce readiness and leadership potential look like.
In this fast-paced, solutions-focused conversation, hear from two leading organizations—Disability Lead and the Bender Leadership Academy—who are building real-world pathways for individuals with disabilities to enter, build leadership pathways, and hold leadership positions in the workforce. You’ll walk away with practical insights, new connections, and a sharper understanding of how inclusion is not just a moral imperative—but a competitive advantage.
Moderator
Tim Hindes
Tim is a visionary leader at the intersection of creativity, community, and social impact. As the CEO of TrailBlaze Creative, he leads a dedicated team in delivering marketing and creative capacity solutions to mission-driven organizations across North America who... Read More
Speakers
Jess Grainger
Jess Grainger is the Regional Director for Disability Lead’s new chapter in Southwestern Pennsylvania, where he’s building a strong, visible presence for disability leadership in the region. With a background in education and workforce development, Jess has led initiatives... Read More
Stephanie Law
Stephanie Law is a disability advocate based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and serves as the Community Liaison Specialist for Bender Leadership Academy, and the Coordinator for the Bender Mentoring Initiative. Transitioning from a strong history in the medical and disability... Read More
Closing Remarks
3:35 pm - 3:45 pm
Reserve Your Spot!
Don’t miss the 2025 MFG Works Conference on May 13 at University of Pittsburgh Alumni Hall. Register now. Download our “Attendance Approval Doc” for a template to request approval from your manager!
