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Manufacturing Mavens Awards
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What is the nomination process and the steps to take?
Once the online nomination form is completed an automated email will be sent to the individual nominated (the email address entered in the “Nominee Email” field) and a submission receipt will be sent to the email placed in the “Nominator’s Email” field.
In order for the nominee to continue with the process they must fill out the application form by the application deadline listed in the automated email and on the corresponding event landing page.
We also recommend submitting up to three letters of recommendation to https://scbiz.com/scbiz-letters-of-recommendation-submission-form/ by the application deadline to be included in the nominee’s judging packet as supporting materials. This is not a requirement, but an added benefit.
How can I be considered for the Manufacturing Mavens award?
In order to be considered, candidates:
- Must demonstrate significant professional accomplishment within their career, strong leadership and mentoring skills as well as strong civic commitment in our community;
- Must be employed in South Carolina; and
- May be self-nominated or nominated by another person.
Who are the judges and what are they looking for when selecting the honorees?
A panel of judges consisting of the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo committee and SC Biz News leadership team select the honorees through a judging process. It is essential that the candidate proves a combination of excelling professionally and making an impact on the community. It is essential that the candidate prove their professional experience, community involvement, leadership and sustained commitment to the manufacturing industry. It is helpful to have at least one letter of recommendation from someone that can speak to these achievements.
Do the honorees have to say something?
Honorees do not speak live during the event, but will be contacted to be profiled in a multi-media video that will be aired during the event.
If I’m a honoree, do I need to purchase a ticket?
You do not need to purchase a ticket for yourself as an honoree. All other attendees must purchase a ticket. Sponsorship packages are available to purchase for those wanting large groups of tickets and additional benefits.
Can I buy an ad in the publication?
This program is supported through sponsorships. The ads you see in the magazine are part of the sponsorship packages.
Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
2025 Manufacturing Mavens Honorees
Ashley Daugherty, Nephron Pharmaceuticals
Anais Deidon, BD
Magdalena Domzalska-Pol, BW Packaging
Blair Dorneanu, South Carolina Research Authority
Colishia W. Dunbar, MBA, SICAME North America
Melvilyn Edwards, Zeus
Eva-Marie Fox, T&S Brass and Bronze Works Inc.
Alicia M. Goodwin, Trane Technologies
Liz Griffith, International Transportation Innovation Center
Erin Harkey, BASF Corporation
Sarah Herring, Milliken & Co.
Angie Koen, Ritedose
Shunyu Liu, Clemson University
Carrie Norell, ZF
Taylor Powell, Industrial Motor Service
Emily Rech, Evans General Contractors
Amy Sartain, SC Competes
Sarah Smith, Blue Ridge Log Cabins
Samantha Snow, Dayton Rogers of South Carolina
Cagla Taskiran, KION North America
Amy Mattson Williams, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company
Caithlin Wiseley, AFL
Brandy Zadoorian, Triangle Safety Consulting LLC
2024 Mavens Manufacturing Honorees
Ronke Akano, JW Aluminum
Heather Bass, Carolina PEC – A Division of Carolina Filters Inc.
Kellie Boone, Horton Inc.
Katherine (Kassie) Cartee, Milliken & Co.
Paula “Pixie” Dezzutti, Local Choice Spirits, Striped Pig Distillery, Sycamore BioPharma
Suzanne Dickerson, SC Competes
Jessica Farmer, Seven Seas Corp.
Mary Ellen Grom, AFL
Kim Hogge, Screwmatics
Megan Johnson, Nephron Pharmaceuticals
Alissa Kasprzyk, Evans General Contractors
Kimberly Kelley, Sportsman Boats
Marian Kennedy, Clemson University
Mary Kimani, Trane Technologies
Cheryl Lang, Tindall Corp.
Jena-Christine Lawrence, KION North America
Regina Lopez, Proterra
Katie Lyon, Allegiance Flag Supply
Jenn McQuestern, Zeus Industrial Products
Lori Morgan, Draexlmaier Group
Trish Pagan, Lockheed Martin
Kami Reiber, Oshkosh Defense
Michele Thompson, SafeRack
Tricia Wallwork, Milo’s Tea Company, Inc.
Michelle Wilson, Shaw Industries
Brandy Zadoorian, Triangle Safety Consulting
Qian Zhang, College of Charleston
Tina Zwolinski, Skillionaire Games
2023 Mavens Manufacturing Honorees
Laura Bordeaux, Zeus Industrial Products Inc.
Donna Brin, bFIVE40
Lisa Gunton, AFL
Nicole Johnson, Boyd Cycling
Elba Lizardi, BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions
Sherry McCraw, BMW Manufacturing Co
Annekatherin Mueller, Bosch
Elizabeth Rhue, Sonoco Products Co
Adrienne Temple, South Carolina Extension Partnership
Rashmi Vadlakonda, Trane Technologies’ Columbia facility
We offer a full suite of products and services to support your business marketing needs ranging from logo licensing to electronic article reprints to plaques and beyond!
- Leverage positive editorial coverage with official content licensing.
- Electronic reprints of original editorial coverage featuring your company, product, service or industry.
- Plaques, Desktop Awards, etc are eye popping in high traffic areas, showrooms, trade show exhibits and POP displays.
To learn more about the only official, approved way to get content licensing and reprints, please visit EVG Media.
SPONSORS
Part Of
Manufacturing Mavens
Celebrating the Women Powering South Carolina Manufacturing Forward
South Carolina manufacturing is one of the state’s greatest economic engines—and women across the industry are helping shape its future every day.
Manufacturing Mavens, presented by SCBIZ, honors the female leaders, innovators, and rising stars making a lasting impact across South Carolina’s manufacturing landscape. From executive leadership and operational excellence to engineering breakthroughs and workforce innovation, this awards program shines a spotlight on the women helping move manufacturing forward.
Honorees Celebrated at the Southeast’s Premier Manufacturing Gathering
All Manufacturing Mavens honorees will be recognized on November 4, 2026, during the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo in Greenville—one of the premier events uniting manufacturing leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from across the Southeast.
This high-profile celebration places honorees in front of an influential audience of executives, manufacturers, and industry partners while aligning them with a conference built around innovation, growth, and the future of manufacturing.
Nomination Deadline: July 10, 2026
Application Deadline: July 24, 2026
Save the Date
November 5, 2026
Greenville Convention Center
1 Exposition Dr, Greenville
If you have questions about this awards event, please email [email protected].