Final Thoughts

My first – many, many moons ago – was a meeting of what was then the Association of Steel Distributors (now the Association of Metal Processors and Distributors). I’ve sat beside engineers and operations folks at Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) and Women in Manufacturing (WiM) events. I’ve rubbed elbows with executives and members of Congress at AISI, SMA, and World Steel Association (worldsteel) conferences. I’ve traveled to Quito, Ecuador, for a Latin American steel congress. For a while, I was an absolute pro at traveling back and forth to/from Chicago, D.C., and Monterrey, Mexico.

Some events have been more memorable than others. For instance, I’ll never forget the 2011 joint meeting of AISI and MSCI at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Why’s that? Well, I was standing beside a Severstal executive at a cocktail reception and watching President Obama announce that US armed forces had killed Osama bin Laden. (Coincidentally, General Stanley McChrystal gave a keynote address at that conference.)

Another memorable moment was when I covered President Obama addressing the United Steelworkers at U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works in 2014.

I recognize that it’s a privilege to attend all of these events, as I get to further my own knowledge and network simply by attending, so I am grateful for the experiences.

AWMI Conference

Earlier this month, Michael Cowden and I had the pleasure of attending the Association of Women in the Metal Industries (AWMI) annual in Nashville, Tenn.. Michael, as a speaker, and I, as an attendee; both of us as AWMI members and supporters.

SMU was also a sponsor of the conference. Thank you, AWMI, for having us at such a wonderful event!

This conference was different for me, as I wasn’t there to write news as a reporter. While I am writing this Final Thoughts piece, it’s not from my typical journalistic stance, but as an attendee of a powerful leadership conference.

From the moment I entered the hotel where the event was held, there was a buzz of excitement in the air. Everyone was excited to be out of the office and enjoying a cocktail and laughs with old friends and new ones as well.

At most steel industry events, the ratio of men to women is probably about 9:1. But at the AWMI conference, I would say that the ratio was completely reversed.

That might not seem important. But, honestly, it is, especially when you’re one of the underrepresented.

Engaged. Energized. Smart. Capable. Confident. Inspiring. Those were just some of the words describing the women at this event.

“Representation matters” is a phrase that came to life for me at this AWMI event.

As a female in a male-dominated industry, it was refreshing to be surrounded by so many other women. It was energizing to network and socialize with female peers. And it was empowering to see female executives on stage and hear how they’ve navigated the course of their careers.

If they can do it, I can do it, too, right? Representation matters because it helps us see more clearly our own potential.

I’d like to share some of my conference takeaways here, not all of which are specific to women only. Take what you can use for your own career, pass it on to a mentee or other young professional in your company, or leave it to fade into history:

• Mentoring and sponsorship are valuable tools for your career and personal development. Sue Stark, president of BlueScope Buildings North America, encouraged: “Build your support network. Identify mentors, sponsors, and allies who can provide guidance, advice, and lift as you navigate your role and career.” Mentoring is one of AWMI’s four cornerstones, and I think they hit it out of the park with this at the conference, with keynote addresses and panel discussions featuring women leaders sharing the stories of their career paths and offering tips learned from their successes and failures.
• “Don’t underestimate the value of moving into a role to gain experience you don’t have,” Stark said. She encouraged us to grow and further develop ourselves by taking on roles where 75% of the responsibilities are new and outside our comfort zones, and the other 25% allow us to leverage our existing capabilities.
• Be yourself and be confident in your abilities. Gia Duke, director of supply management for indirect material and services at John Deere, said. She said she tried to fit in with the male leaders and coworkers when she began working. But it was a defining moment in her career when she admitted that it wasn’t working for her. She embraced who she is as a woman: “Being who I am is an advantage.”
• Alchemize negative experiences in your favor. Cecile Chung, general counsel and corporate secretary at Samuel, Son & Co., said it shook her to the core when she received some negative feedback. But she used it as a wake-up call to improve and propel herself forward.
• Accept challenges and see them as opportunities. “I used to say that I was lucky and good timing helped me capture opportunities. But even if you’re lucky and you have the benefit of good timing, you still have to step up and accept a challenge when it comes your way.” – Sue Stark, BlueScope
• A panel discussion featuring four Samuel, Son & Co. executives (three of whom were women) underscored the need for both organizational initiatives and individual sponsorship and advocacy to support women’s career advancement. By investing time and effort into developing women’s skills and creating equitable opportunities, organizations can foster an environment where diverse talent can thrive and reach their full potential.
• Tabitha Stine, general manager of energy solutions services and marketing and branding at Nucor, emphasized the importance of curiosity and disruption in career advancement. Curiosity is an essential skill that allows you to adapt, grow, and take advantage of unexpected opportunities throughout your career. Disruption is a necessary and valuable skill to challenge the status quo and drive progress and success.
• Samuel’s EVP and CFO Maria Perrella said the first part of her career was about her own survival. Once she got into a leadership position, she realized it’s not about her anymore. It’s about nurturing others and bringing them along with you. It’s important for those in leadership roles to actively invest time and effort into developing and advocating for talented employees and to use their position and influence to create more equitable opportunities for the advancement of those employees.
• John Deere’s Gia Duke thinks there is no better time to be in this industry. She explained that there was no representation of women in management when she started her career. While women are still underrepresented, there’s at least a path for them now, she pointed out. “Underrepresentation won’t last forever,” she noted, meaning women will have a lot more opportunities moving forward.
• We are at the forefront of the confluence of manufacturing and technology, and they will be game-changing. “There’s never been a more exciting time to be in manufacturing.” – Gia Duke, John Deere

There was so much more good stuff packed into the AWMI conference. But I’m running into my deadline and have to wrap this up.

I’ve learned much from attending conferences. They are incredible opportunities for professional development, gaining market intelligence, valuable in-person networking, getting out of your comfort zone, and expanding your bubble just a little bit. AWMI’s leadership conference might not be the right one for you, but I’d encourage you to find one that does feel right and get involved. Opportunities to further yourself, your career, and your company abound. We just need to take advantage of them before they pass us by.

Tampa Steel

And chances are, if you’re an SMU subscriber, you might find a fit at one of our conferences.

The next opportunity is at the Tampa Steel Conference, which we host in conjunction with Port Tampa Bay, on Feb. 2-4. Folks from across the domestic and international steel supply chains will gather to hear from mill and service center CEOs, industry analysts, and end users to get an idea of the New Year’s challenges and opportunities – including those from a new presidential administration. You can find more information and register here.

Our other big event is the SMU Steel Summit, Aug. 25-27, in Atlanta, the largest event in North America focused on the flat-rolled steel industry. The agenda is still shaping up, but save the date. You can find more information here.