In four years with BAE Systems, Cydney has made her mark by helping to sharpen efficiencies, ensure high quality and evaluate, acquire and implement new technologies used in the production of systems and controls for commercial and military clients. Cydney found her passion for engineering in high school where she was a 3-year member of the robotics club. She strives to continue to find ways to be a leader for BAE by co-leading the Women’s Inclusive Network and Employee Engagement committees. She also is leading a team to bring a Women in Technology program for female high school students to Fort Wayne with plans to expand to as many high schools as possible to create a pipeline of talent for internships and full-time hires.

A native of Tampico, Mexico, Francisco came to the U.S. to go to college, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and then joined Cummins to launch his career. Since then, he has earned a series of promotions for his implementation of Industry 4.0 processes and technology, leading and participating in the deployment of 40 cobot units and five industrial mobile robots and driving the design of plant layouts that reduce labor costs. In addition to notching achievements at Cummins, Francisco works to strengthen the pipeline of advanced manufacturing workers, especially in the LatinX community, and participates in mentoring and volunteering activities for young professionals.

After less than a year at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, James was challenged to solve a “massive problem” at the Lafayette plant: too much expensive cardboard waste. His success is tangible: Over the three years that he has led the packaging reduction program, the company has saved more than $5 million in cardboard waste charges. But James didn’t achieve this result simply through the knowledge acquired by earning an industrial engineering degree from Purdue University. According to his employers, James went beyond technical expertise to demonstrate strengths in leadership, organization, communication and problem solving to earn respect “at all levels” within the company.

Natalie’s drive to achievement has been circuitous but relentless. Her initial foray into college stalled when she started a business. Selling the business a couple of years later, she got married and headed back to school to continue work on an IUPUI science and mathematics degree. A challenging pregnancy slowed her to part-time student, but she still made the dean’s list. Not long after, Flexware came calling. Since then, she has earned eight Microsoft certifications and used her skills to drive development of key robotic process automation tools – and displayed such sharp thinking, humanity and leadership that her bosses say they believe Natalie “will be leading here at Flexware well into the future.” In addition to taking care of her family and their future, she hopes to be a mentor to young women in STEM.

A few years ago, Kelsey Van Scyoc was a production control intern with Toyota; since then, she’s gone on to lead a procurement team responsible for more than $750 million in spend, relaunched a production model by coordinating more than 200 supplier supply chains to meet prototype, testing and initial stock delivery for new and existing parts, and established herself as an empathetic leader with an eye for talent. Oh, and along the way, she also juggled two pregnancies, motherhood and pursued an MBA. With a degree in supply chain management from Indiana State University, Kelsey is praised not only for her achievements, but also for always seeking the next challenge, lesson and success.

Kendal’s bosses describe his contributions simply: “He was responsible for enabling Circle Beverage to become a contract manufacturer.” Previously focused on producing only its own canned drinks, Circle Beverage charged Kendal with preparing the company to attract outside business. Having started with the company hawking kombucha at farmer’s markets, Kendal spent a year developing required programs and procedures, got the team onboard, learned regulatory requirements and drummed up business. With an undergrad degree in civil engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a structural engineering master’s from Purdue University, Kendal expects to see Circle Beverage’s contract manufacturing continue to expand, one day becoming a 24/7 operation.