Amanda Wiriya's story is a testament to the power of listening, being transparent, and exploring your transferable skills.

She began her career at Wepco Plastics as an Administrative Assistant, seeking stability and flexibility. But leaders at Wepco saw her potential and her ability to use skills derived from previous (non-manufacturing) roles, leading ultimately to her rise to the role of Vice President of Operations.

Today, Amanda leads Wepco’s operational strategy, finances, and human resources, working closely with an all-male leadership team to foster an environment of transparency and growth.

Amanda opens up about the unique challenges and advantages of being "the only" woman on her team —a journey that many women in manufacturing can relate to. She shares valuable insights into how she proceeded.

We discover that Wepco has an incredible commitment to transparency, a practice of assuming “the process failed, not the person.” This supportive, process-focused approach drives innovation and morale. By consistently questioning assumptions and fostering open communication, Amanda has played a key role in shaping a culture that values each individual contributor.

Where you can find Amanda:

Amanda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-wiriya-322545141/ Company: https://wepcoplastics.com/

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Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

Sit down with Beatriz Gutierrez, President & CEO of CONNSTEP, a leading force in Connecticut’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Beatriz shares key moments from her career journey. She opens up about an early career situation where she doubted her readiness for a leadership role, only to realize later that she had underestimated her unique strengths. She reflects on our tendency, as women, to need to feel "overqualified" before taking a leap - a mindset she urges others to overcome.

From Colombia to Connecticut, Beatriz has navigated male-dominated environments, leveraging her engineering and business skills while continuously learning. She discusses her experience leading CONNSTEP, helping Connecticut’s manufacturers thrive, and the importance of mentorship in her success.

Her message: take risks, trust in your abilities, and embrace opportunities as they come—even if they feel outside your comfort zone. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or leading a team, Beatriz’s advice to "lead with courage, not fear" will inspire you to shake up your own path to success.

Where you can find Beatriz:

Beatriz's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrizgutierrez/

Company: https://www.connstep.org/

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Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

Catherine Pratt, Program Manager at HyAxiom, shares her inspiring journey in the world of sustainability. Charting a path through chemical engineering, she now leads projects that address one of the biggest global challenges—climate change. She takes her mission personally as both a professional and a parent.

Catherine shares how her career evolved from individual contributor to leadership, and the mindset shifts that helped her get there. Along the way, we learn how Catherine’s transparent leadership style builds trust and ownership among her team, encouraging collaboration and innovation.

Tune in for a conversation on aligning your career with a purpose—identifying the problems you want to solve and finding a way to contribute using your strengths.

Where you can find Catherine: Catherine's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-pratt-0a88811b/ Company: https://hyaxiom.com/ -------

Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

This episode is for every student/young adult getting ready to start college, or step into the workplace. Mollissa Bennett is a huge advocate for the trades after finding her path in welding. She came out of a 10-month technical program with no debt, ready to work and learn on-the-job.

But it wasn’t always easy. Mollissa landed in some really toxic work environments before finally landing at HABCO Industries. She learned the hard way that you don’t have to put up with working in a toxic or unsafe environment. You are worth more than that!

In this episode we find out what Molli’s ‘hell no’ moments were and how she’s worked hard to make it to a great company and a career she enjoys.

Where you can find Molli: Molli's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollissa-bennett-3061401a6/ Company: https://habco.biz/

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Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

From her early experiences in laser technology to her current leadership role at a global machine tool company, Salay Quaranta, Vice President of Sales at Tsugami America blends technical expertise with creativity and a passion for building strong relationships.

Salay shares how her upbringing in a family of engineers and designers fueled her curiosity and love for both science and the arts. Her career began with a degree in material science and engineering, and she quickly gravitated towards the world of lasers, which ignited a fascination with advanced manufacturing processes. Her career journey includes stints in engineering, product management, and business development—roles that allowed her to blend her left-brain logic with right-brain creativity.

Salay's love of learning, combined with her fearless approach to taking on new challenges, has shaped her career. She also discusses the importance of support networks, whether in family, colleagues, or mentors, and how they've helped her navigate the male-dominated world of manufacturing.

Where to find Salay: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salay-quaranta-843b4510/ Tsugami America: https://www.tsugamiamerica.com

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Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

You don’t need any more proof than this episode that early exposure to STEM concepts and careers can mold someone's life in a positive way.

This episode with Raquel Bolling, Technical Trainer at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), starts with a family that supports STEM, a school that centers STEM, and a student that thrived with that exposure.

But even with all that support, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Raquel talks about what it was like being educated and working in a male-dominated field.

Now, at CCAT, she teaches the next generation of professionals about cutting-edge tools like additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and digital thread technology. Her journey is one of persistence, constant learning, and embracing the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field.

Where to find Raquel: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquelbolling/ CCAT: https://www.ccat.us/

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Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

Amelia Campbell knew she wanted to improve her life, for herself and her family. Thanks to some great advice, hard work, and self-determination, she is on the path to great success.

This week's episode is an inspirational story that starts with losing a job, but ends with a sought-after position at a great CT manufacturer. Amelia was determined to get better work. After going through the CT Women Can Weld program and getting work with the Ironworkers Union, she found herself at a machining program at Goodwin University, which then led her to the Apprenticeship program at TRUMPF.

Along the way, Amelia learned some great life lessons – age doesn't matter; follow your heart; don't waste time!

There's such wisdom that comes from following your dreams and working hard to achieve them.

Where to find Amelia: Amelia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-campbell-20644b92/ TRUMPF: https://www.trumpf.com/en_US/

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Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

This week’s episode of the Manufacturing Shake-Up focuses on the misperceptions we can get stuck on in our careers. First, Monica Hilgarth, Lab Services Manager at Hampford Research, talks all about how to stop taking no for an answer.

Many people, women in particular, can feel that no is a final answer when asking for things in the workplace. But Monica explains that oftentimes, ‘no’ is just a starting offer. It demands a response to dig deeper. Sometimes ‘no’ means you have to communicate better to your leaders about your request; sometimes it’s an opening to a negotiation. The skill is to recognize that you aren’t required to take no for an answer.

Another misperception that is debunked in this episode is that careers progress in a linear path. In truth, great careers are winding, bouncing, or even jumping…you have to be willing to look at your career path in different ways. In this episode, Jenny, Ellen and Monica explore what you do and don’t have control of in your career.

Where to find Monica: Monica's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-hilgarth/ Hampford Research: https://www.hampfordresearch.com/

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Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/