# Growing Women Leaders in Manufacturing w/ Allison Grealis

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2026-09-22
- Length: 33m
- Episode: 328
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-09-22-growing-women-leaders-in-manufacturing-w-allison-grealis
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-01a0a1b7-8cf7-7048-a3f4-59e67b1c0c0c

## Summary

Allison Roberts Grealis, founder and president of the Women in Manufacturing Association (WIM), discusses the critical shift in manufacturing leadership from operational focus to managing complexity, including AI, cybersecurity, and multi-generational workforces. She highlights that while recruitment is important, retention is the industry's biggest challenge, driven by a lack of development pathways and flexibility. Grealis details WIM's new services, including on-site training, executive coaching, and a mentoring program, designed to support women and allies at all levels of the industry.

## Chapters

- [0:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-09-22-growing-women-leaders-in-manufacturing-w-allison-grealis#t=35) Introduction and Allison's Background
- [7:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-09-22-growing-women-leaders-in-manufacturing-w-allison-grealis#t=462) The Evolution of Manufacturing Leadership
- [11:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-09-22-growing-women-leaders-in-manufacturing-w-allison-grealis#t=702) Executive Retreats and Work-Life Integration
- [20:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-09-22-growing-women-leaders-in-manufacturing-w-allison-grealis#t=1243) Retention Challenges and Flexibility
- [25:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-09-22-growing-women-leaders-in-manufacturing-w-allison-grealis#t=1508) WIM Services: Training, Coaching, and Mentoring
- [29:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-09-22-growing-women-leaders-in-manufacturing-w-allison-grealis#t=1744) Women in Manufacturing Summit and Resources

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Women in Manufacturing Association (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- Zometria (company)
- Thomas Company (company)
- Mirabal (company)
- WIM Services Inc. (company)
- Instacart (other)
- Uber (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [154: How Women are Thriving in the Manufacturing Workforce with Allison Grealis, President & Founder of Women in Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-09-19-154-how-women-are-thriving-in-the-manufacturing-workforce-with-allison-grealis-p) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [258: Mentorship, Mid-Career Entrepreneurship, and Inspiring Women in Manufacturing with Patti Nowak, Owner of Control+M Solutions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-10-21-258-mentorship-mid-career-entrepreneurship-and-inspiring-women-in-manufacturing) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [EMS@C Panel: Navigating the Resurgence of European Manufacturing, New Challenges, and Opportunities with KATEK Group and Zollner](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-11-26-ems-c-panel-navigating-the-resurgence-of-european-manufacturing-new-challenges-a) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [BONUS: Gaps in the Manufacturing Industry (and what to do about them), LIVE from Fathom's Manufacturing Exchange in Hartland, WI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-07-bonus-gaps-in-the-manufacturing-industry-and-what-to-do-about-them-live-from-fat) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Stories in Welding, Employee Retention, and Gratitude with Lisa Ryan](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-08-stories-in-welding-employee-retention-and-gratitude-with-lisa-ryan) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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