EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
STEERING COMMITTEE 2023

Shannon Bumgarner is an integrated supply chain leader inspiring change within organizations and women in technical careers. As a degreed engineer with 20+ years experience, she has worked for leading industrial companies strengthening, procurement and process engineering strategies, and mentoring women in largely male-dominated industries. She speaks, writes, and creates peer-coaching networks as part of her own endeavor, FemSpired. 

2023 Host of the Empowering Women Podcast

​

For more information on Shannon, visit linkedin.com/in/shannonbumgarner

A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Yolanda has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications with a specialization in Broadcast Journalism. She has an extensive background in B2B marketing, communications, and public relations. As a marketer, she is a passionate brand advocate and has worked over the past two decades helping leading companies build engaging brands and telling their stories. 

Yolanda is a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), Empowering Women, Manufacturing Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI) Marketing Council and the U.S. Conference of Mayors Water Council.

​

For more information on Yolanda, visit linkedin.com/in/yolandakokayi

Kristel Zaman is a Director of Marketing and Product Management with Grundfos. She is responsible for municipal and groundwater business in Americas region. Kristel is a known speaker and contributor to Hydraulic Institute, Water Environment Federation, and number of other industry organizations.

Kristel describes herself as a learner and servant leader: sensitive to the needs of customers, encouraging mentor developing her team and inspiring others around her. She is passionate about supporting diversity and inclusion at the workplace and focused on empowering women in industry.

Kristel was born in Estonia, moved to USA almost two decades ago. At her leisure, Kristel is an avid reader, beginner yogi, loves needle crafts, and enjoys spending time with her four rescue cats.

​

For more information on Kristel, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristel-zaman-ms-pcm-mba-76761b38/

Emily Soloby is the Founder and CEO of Juno Jones Shoes (www.junojonesshoes.com), making stylish steel toe boots for women. She is a former lawyer, and the co-owner of AAA School of Trucking, a school and transportation safety training firm. Emily is also the founder of the Hazard Girls (Women in Nontraditional Fields) community, and the host of the Hazard Girls Podcast.

​

For more information on Emily, visit linkedin.com/in/emilysoloby

Nicole is a high-energy and results-oriented professional who has worked with diverse multi-cultural teams around the world. She brings 25 years of corporate and technology experience to her training workshops. 

Nicole’s professional experience includes enterprise level technology systems with such roles as Software Engineering, Business Systems Analysis and Project Management. Her industry knowledge includes Financial & Merchant Services, Retirement & Payroll Services, Manufacturing and Automotive.  

Nicole’s work experience includes companies like: JP Morgan Chase & Co., General Motors, Delphi, Detroit Diesel, National Steel Corporation and Electronic Data Systems (now DXC). 

As a certified John Maxwell Team speaker, trainer, and coach, Nicole delivers content that adds value through an inspiring, engaging, and exciting experience that audiences enjoy. 

For more information on Nicole, visit: www.sccalhoun.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleccalhoun

Mary-Frances Klimek is the Superintendent at the Racine Wastewater Utility in Racine, Wisconsin. She oversees all wastewater operations, maintenance, laboratory services and regulatory compliance and most reporting. Prior to becoming Superintendent in 2015, she was the first woman to work outside of the lab or clerical support group. She is involved in committees regarding racial equity, inclusion, leadership and wellness. She is excited to be a new member of the Empowering Women in Industry Steering Committee. She is Chair of the Central States Water Environment Association Wisconsin Section, a past Local Arrangements Chair and current committee member for the annual conference.  Additionally, she is the 2019 Empowering Women in Industry Mentor of the Year, a 7S member, recipient of the Water Environment Federation Hatfield Award and the CSWEA Operations Award. She was recently featured in Treatment Plant Operator Magazine and Water & Wastes Digest. She is most proud of her family and the support they show for the many projects she involves them in.

​

For more information on Mary-Frances, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-frances-klimek/

Lauren Dreher is a mindset author and speaker. After growing up with scars and finding herself with little confidence in her adulthood, she decided to make a change. She became and advocate and speaker for those who have a lack of confidence due to their outer image. Lauren took a deep personal development dive and developed a passion for mindset. Her mission is to help people shift their mindset to a positive one. Using habits, tools, and learning triggers she helps people to be able to manage their mindset even on the toughest days. 

She has a passion for speaking and motivating people to help themselves make this change in her life. 

​

For more information on Lauren, visit linkedin.com/in/lauren-dreher-55210336

Bekah Mechtensimer, Director with Empowering Pumps & Equipment, started in the industrial industry selling nuts, bolts, and washers. From there, she moved up to a technical sales position for pumps, compressors, and pneumatic tools. When she wasn’t in the office selling; she was in the shop helping manufacturing with whatever was needed that day. Bekah joined the EP&E team in 2017 with a desire to grow in the industry. In her free time, you can find her hanging out with her pup, Woodrow, or enjoying her favorite music - preferably at a festival!

For more information on Bekah, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-mechtensimer-0a867958/

Maria Elena Rodriguez Hernandez is a Water Engineering Director at Ingeteam (Water Sector), with +25 years of experience in the field of Turbomachinery and Water Engineering. Elena is based in Zarautz, Basque Country in Spain and is a mechanical, hydraulic, and civil engineer who is currently completing a course in the University about Management and Direction of Water Companies. Elena is an active advocate for women in Engineering Fields and Technical careers, serving as a founding member of the Empowering Women in Industry steering committee. She is passionate about travel, photography, and Water Megastructures.

​

For more information on Elena, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-elena-rodriguez-hernandez-01163133/

Kathy Johnson has been a Mechanical Engineer for John Crane Inc. for 20 plus years. She plays an important role with the company with 20 plus years of experience.  She provide dedication and commitment with products in the area of Compression Packing, Gaskets, PTFE and some Mechanical Seals items. She is very passionate with upholding and advocating for John Crane’s Brand.

She continuously makes strides in creating relationships with other women the Technical Industry. She has been a mentor and have offered guidance to young people within her community in reaching their goals in life.

Kathy is a member of FSA, Empowering Women, Society Women Engineers (SWE), National Technical Association (NTA) and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

​

For more information on Kathy, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-johnson-85b6894/

Renee Joseph is the VP of Global Customer and Sales and Enablement for a Fortune 500 Company as well as speaker, author, and leadership coach

She has a 20+ year career introducing and executing strategies to drive growth within global competitive markets with deep knowledge of customer and sales enablement principles.  She is known as a transformative leader with a passion for establishing, growing, and leading top performing teams. Working exclusively in a male dominated engineering industry throughout her entire career, she has dedicated herself to educating, mentoring and advocating for diversity in the workplace. 

Renee resides in Wisconsin and in her leisure, she enjoys playing the piano, watercolor painting, writing, practicing yoga, beekeeping and spending time with her husband, four children and seven grandchildren.

For more information on Renee, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-joseph-46017946/

Stephanie Hajducek is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of This One’s for the Gals, an organization that helps to educate and empower girls to step out of their comfort zone and step into a world of endless possibilities in industry.  She has held positions with industry leading companies such as Bechtel, ChevronPhillips, Puffer Sweiven, Citgo and Steel Dynamics.  After almost 20 years out of high school, and with the support of her husband and three children, Stephanie earned her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering Technology from The University of Southern Mississippi.  She hopes that by sharing her experiences she is able to help girls find their career path a little sooner rather than later. 

​

For more information on Stephanie Hajducek, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/slhajduc/

Jill possesses over 20 years of expertise in Enterprise Business Development, with a focus on supporting major CPGs. Transitioning her efforts, she is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion across ecosystems. Her dedication lies in expanding entrepreneurial opportunities for diverse-owned businesses and promoting sustainable prosperity for workers and communities.

​

Operating at the intersection of purpose and profit, Jill has demonstrated success in collaborating with closely held companies and private equity firms, facilitating transitions to employee ownership and empowering workers to build generational wealth. In her role as Curriculum Director for the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago's Breedlove Entrepreneurship Center, she crafted a groundbreaking curriculum designed to accelerate later-stage Black female entrepreneurs in the CPG and Food sectors. This curriculum provides crucial education, access to networks, and capital.

​

Among her current endeavors, Jill collaborates as a member of the Steering Committee for Empowering Women in Industry and the 17 Rooms Initiative. Her collaborative efforts aim to advance the economic, social, and environmental priorities inherent in the world's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her proactive engagement extends to the working group for Room 8, focusing on UN SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

​

Jill's fervor for effecting positive change is deeply rooted, driven by her desire to inspire connections that lead to meaningful transformations. Presently, she serves with distinction on the Board of Directors for the Spondylitis Association of America, striving to enhance outcomes for individuals impacted by Spondyloarthritis while also hosting Spondycast.

​

A seasoned speaker, Jill is well-versed in delivering engaging talks on topics including technical content, overcoming limiting beliefs, and the transformative power of connection. Her recent speaking engagements include notable events such as Empowering Women in Industry Chicago and Deeper Women Lead Atlanta, where she provided audiences with invaluable insights and inspiration. Additionally, Jill has served as a spokesperson for Novartis in Sat Media Tours and online commercials for their MPITAS, further amplifying her influence.

Richa Paliwal is a Regional Head/Director of Customer Sales and Support Center for Groundwater/Irrigation and Municipal market for the Americas region for Grundfos. Here we enable our customers to transform water management to build a sustainable future. In the past 11 years, I’ve progressed through multiple positions in customer service starting as an applications engineer to leading a team of engineers to heading the Americas regional customer support team. My journey has taught me to embrace and appreciate a new level of diversity and inclusion within the organization. I am passionate about building a team culture that is creative, collaborative and customer centric.

​

For more information on Richa Paliwal visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richa-paliwal-01912319/

Amy Roosa has worked the last 18 years in the field of safety, with her career taking her from construction to general industry, and currently works with Merck as their Safety Specialist . She has worked with organizations such as the National Safety Council, helping create the Government and Public Sector Division, and the ASSP where she is currently chapter vice president. She recently founded of The Safety Rack, which works to advocate for womenn in trades to have proper PPE and workwear. In 2018 she Co-Founder the Iowa Women in Safety Conference, which provides educational resources and networking to women in the safety profession. She is a regular speaker at conferences ranging on topics from training to leadership, and when she's not working, Amy enjoys time with her husband Dave traveling, fishing and hiking.

​

For more information on Amy Roosa visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-roosa-bb598078/