2025 Women of Manufacturing Symposium

The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM) hosted the 2025 Women of Manufacturing Symposium on March 7 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia. The annual event, held in recognition of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, brought together professionals, students, and industry leaders to highlight the contributions of women in manufacturing in Southwest Virginia and discuss career opportunities in the field.

The symposium featured keynote speaker Sneha Atwal, Vice President of the Manufacturing Division at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Atwal spoke about the evolving role of women in the industry and the importance of promoting a diverse and skilled workforce.

In addition to the keynote address, a panel of accomplished women in manufacturing shared their experiences, career paths, and insights into the industry. This year’s panelists included:

• Michele Campbell – HR Manager, Somic America, Inc.
• Laura Smith – Drafting/CAD Instructor, Washington County Career and Technical Education Center (former manufacturing employee)
• Brooke Eskridge – Welder, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company
• Ronda Holt – Sales Manager, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group

The event provided a platform for discussing career pathways, skills development, and workforce diversity. Attendees, including students exploring careers in manufacturing, gained valuable insights from industry professionals.

A key moment of the symposium was the presentation of the 2025 “Outstanding Woman of Manufacturing Awards,” which recognizes women making significant impacts in the field. The awards highlight leadership, dedication, and contributions to the manufacturing industry in Southwest Virginia.

The winners were:

• In the Administrative Support Category: Tammy Suthers, Corporate Buyer, Somic America, Inc.
• In the Hourly/Production Category: Karen Carrier, Texturing Operator, Universal Fibers, Inc.
• In the Management category: Lucretia “Lucy” Scott, Purchasing Manager, Universal Fibers, Inc.

The symposium was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, including Platinum-Level Sponsors: Starscape Media, Somic America, Inc., Virginia Highlands Community College; Gold-Level Sponsors: Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P., Ballad Health, OpX Solutions, Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Baker Donelson, Wolf Hills Fabricators, Lawrence Brothers, Inc.; Silver-Level Sponsors: Joint IDA of Wythe, Mount Rogers Regional Partnership, Mountain Empire Community College, Your Grate Escape, Genedge, Real Performance Machinery, Woodgrain, Luttrell Staffing Group, SWVA APEX Accelerator; Bronze-Level Sponsors: SWVA Photography, Westlake Royal Building Products, VCEDA, EMATS, JLV Communications, and Blue Door Garden.

More than 200 attendees, ranging from women currently working in manufacturing to young women interested in exploring manufacturing careers, left the event feeling inspired and motivated. The stories shared and connections made underscored the event’s impact, not just on the individuals in attendance but also on the broader community’s perception of women’s roles in manufacturing.

SVAM thanks all sponsors, speakers, panelists, and attendees for making this year’s Women of Manufacturing Symposium successful. We look forward to continuing to support and celebrate women’s contributions to the manufacturing industry in Southwest Virginia.