Three BASF leaders in manufacturing were among 130 women recognized nationally at The Manufacturing Institute’s (MI) annual Women MAKE Awards. This national awards program honors women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers across all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the executive level.

BASF’s 2023 award winners include:

• Women MAKE Honoree: Carol Easley, Operations Director, Polyol North America
• Women MAKE Honoree: Cara Madzy, Vice President Operations, Coatings Americas
• Women MAKE Emerging Leader: Lindsey Daniels, Process Safety Specialist

“We are proud to celebrate the 2023 Women MAKE Award recipients who are making a difference at BASF and shaping the future of manufacturing,” said Marc Ehrhardt, President, BASF North America. “It is role models like you, who drive innovation, and at the same time inspire the next generation of female talent in our industry. At BASF we know the value of different perspectives and experiences, and we stay committed to attracting, developing, and retaining great female talent.”

The Women MAKE Awards are part of the MI’s Women MAKE America initiative, which is the nation’s marquee program to close the gender gap in manufacturing. Women account for about half of the U.S. labor force but represent less than one-third of the manufacturing workforce. Women MAKE America aims to create a 21st-century manufacturing workforce by empowering and inspiring women in the industry.

“The biggest challenge facing manufacturers continues to be the growing workforce crisis, and women are the industry’s largest talent opportunity; bringing just 6% more women into manufacturing would fill all open jobs in the sector today,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “That is exactly why the Women MAKE Awards are so important and powerful. These are the women who will inspire our next generation of female talent to pursue a career in this industry.”

BASF sponsored the annual awards ceremony, which was held in Washington, D.C. on April 20.