Albemarle Marks
MFG Day, Encourages Women's Manufacturing Careers

Oct. 4, 2024

Albemarle celebrates Manufacturing Day alongside companies in a variety of industries across the United States. 

MFG Day empowers manufacturers to collectively build awareness and excitement about manufacturing careers and their role in helping communities thrive. 

Albemarle’s newest employee resource group, Albemarle Women in Manufacturing (AWiM) Connect, takes on this mission year-round. The group was established in early 2023 and is open to all employees. 

Maria Brennan, chief supply chain officer, serves as the executive sponsor of AWiM Connect. “Having worked in a variety of manufacturing companies in my career, I know the value of advocating for women’s opportunities and the joy of seeing women lead in our fields,” she said. 

AWiM Connect creates opportunities to engage with students and women looking for career changes to better educate them on manufacturing careers. It also helps women connect with mentors to guide their career journey. 

Carmen Neff, site maintenance manager who serves on the AWiM Connect steering committee, said she sees the group as an important resource for colleagues. 

“I am a master mechanic,” she said, “and I want to see more women with tools in their hands.”  

The group also connects women to the national Women in Manufacturing organization for development and networking events. 

Chapters of AWiM are active in the Charlotte corporate office and at the manufacturing site in Magnolia, Arkansas. 

Members of the group in Magnolia visited Mulerider Teen College, a local summer enrichment program, and gave a presentation on density. Students learned about the science of density, why it matters and how to measure and calculate the density of a rock and a salt solution. Another group studied pH of solutions and learned to determine whether common household solutions such as soda, lemon juice, vinegar, bleach and salt water are acidic, basic or neutral.

AWiM Connect is one of several employee resource groups at Albemarle, all of which nurture an atmosphere of inclusion.  

As companies look to nurture the next generation of manufacturers, a feeling of opportunity and belonging will be critical, Neff said.  

“I’m proud to support women in manufacturing and, particularly at Albemarle, as they look to strengthen their opportunities and grow their careers.”