In the latest episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plum sits down with Meaghan Ziemba, contributing editor for SME Media and the driving force behind Mavens of Manufacturing, a live video series spotlighting women in the industry. Ziemba’s passion for storytelling and her commitment to amplifying diverse voices shine through as she shares her journey and insights on the evolving landscape of manufacturing.
Ziemba’s background as an industrial tech writer since 2008 laid the foundation for her mission to connect the human aspect of manufacturing with the general public. In 2020, she launched Mavens of Manufacturing to address the lack of women’s voices in industry conversations. The podcast recently celebrated its 200th episode, a testament to the wealth of stories waiting to be told.
I believe storytelling is the key to connect those two groups of people, the people that are outside of manufacturing and the people that are inside manufacturing. And I think those stories are also important to really inspire not just the next generation, but also current generations to maybe consider manufacturing and engineering as a career pathway, because there is a lot of purpose in this work that we’re doing.
From real-life Rosie the Riveters to Gen Z advocates like Nush Ahmed, Mavens of Manufacturing showcases the diverse experiences and perspectives of women in the industry. Ziemba’s guests, including Allison Grealis of Women in Manufacturing, Charlie Matthews of Empowering Women in Industry, and Kara Branch of Black Girls Do Engineer, are not only trailblazers in their own right but also dedicated to inspiring and mentoring the next generation.
Ziemba’s journey into manufacturing began with a fortuitous discovery of technical writing in college as a single mother. Her love for the industry grew through her work with trade publications, where she became fascinated by the ingenuity and impact of engineering and manufacturing. She reflects on how early exposure to STEM courses could have altered her career path, underlining the importance of mentorship and support for girls pursuing these fields.
“I feel like if I was given the chance to take some of those courses that were STEM related, like Mechanical Engineering or Additive Manufacturing or some sort of woodworking class, I feel like I would have figured out that manufacturing was the place for me to be, because I do like working with my hands. I do like putting things together and figuring out problems.”
Ziemba’s approach to storytelling is rooted in thorough research and collaboration with subject matter experts. She emphasizes the value of multiple perspectives and feedback in creating content that is accurate, engaging, and truly representative of the human experience in manufacturing.
Looking ahead, Ziemba is excited about the evolution of manufacturing technologies, from the integration of additive manufacturing with traditional machining processes to the growing field of welding robotics. She highlights industry events like the Robotics Summit and Expo Conference and Fabtech as key opportunities to discover emerging trends and connect with innovators.
As Meaghan Ziemba continues to champion the human side of manufacturing through her writing and podcasting, she invites listeners to join the conversation by sharing their own stories. To stay up-to-date with her work, follow Mavens of Manufacturing on YouTube and look for her articles in future issues of Manufacturing Engineering and Technology.
