Interviews Episodes

This week, while Ali was in the field, Nikki spoke with Jessica Morell. Jessica has held various positions in the automation industry, from distribution to consulting. Jessica shares her journey, starting with her electrical and computer engineering technology degree. After graduation, she joined an apprenticeship program at a regional distributor and kept learning and expanding her knowledge and her network to become a sought-after strategy consultant in the Industry 4.0 arena. Both Nikki and J...

While attending Live Stream event at Rapid Robotics recently, Nikki did an impromptu interview with their CFO Lisa Hu. Lisa talks about how she came into the robotics world, the importance of culture in startups, and the financial implications of a manufacturing business having access to automation and robotics as a service. Here is a link to the whitepaper we mention in our chat: https://www.rapidrobotics.com/blog/white-paper-capex-vs-raas-true-cost-of-owning-robots We want to thank Rapid Robot...

This week, Nikki and guest host Courtney Fernandez speak with Ale Walker, Director of Business Development at Gray Solutions. Ale has lived an eventful life going from pro-golfer to doing business development in the industrial automation and robotics world. Ale speaks about her past, the importance of bringing tech to rural communities, and just having a good time and enjoying what you do. This is the first in-person episode where we are all together (aside from a virtual pop-in from Ali G) and ...

This week, Nikki and Ali speak with Kara Branch, chemical engineer, and CEO and founder of Black Girls Do Engineer. Kara has had an amazing career spanning work in Oil & Gas, Space Exploration and is now in Tech working with Intel. Kara speaks about how she got interested in engineering, motherhood, and her non-profit Black Girls Do Engineer. Kara is based in Texas and hopes to bring awareness and pathways to STEM careers to underserved communities like the one she grew up in. Want to get involv...

This week, Nikki was joined by guest host and fellow Automation Lady Courtney Fernandez, while interviewing Don Kiolbassa. Don is the author of "The Tao of the Side Hustle" which brings buddhism, martial arts, and business all into one. We get into Don's experiences in his own side hustles, a great urban legend and its ties into business, and self-respect. Check out the full episode on our page. Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Ali...

In this episode, we catch up with Blue Collar Automation founder Brennen Dugger. We discuss his beginnings, his experience working at a pharma end user, OEM, a plant, and eventually how he came to create his own company. This was recorded as a LinkedIn live with Brennen on the road so we recommend you catch the replay on LI for the full experience. See the full video on our LinkedIn page. Check out Blue Collar Automation for systems integration needs from the design and build of electrical pane...

This week, while Ali was busy in the field, Nikki interviewed Suzy Steele, Chief Strategy Officer at the ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute. Nikki & Suzy chat about the role robotics play in reviving our manufacturing industry, the challenges manufacturers face in implementing robotics, especially when it comes to skilled labor, the robot operating system (ROS), cobot safety, the 3 D's, what the ARM institute does, and how to get involved. Make sure to follow the ARM Institute a...

In this episode, we speak with recent graduate and member of the Technical Marketing Leadership Development Program at Siemens, Kristin Quasey. We talk about the Siemens rotation program, finding and building a network, as well as some talk about how this podcast came to be. The sponsor of this episode is Siemens , to learn more check out: https://sie.ag/3h4ZbaW Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering...

In this episode, we speak with sales engineer Maranda Mrdjenovich about her journey from her beginnings in hospitality to her current role at Banner Engineering, their ongoing projects and use of IO-Link, and discussing ways to inform potential future generations about the wonders of automation and engineering. Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC , and Nikki...

Welcome to Season 2 of Automation Ladies! In this episode of Automation Ladies, Ali and Nikki interview Courtney Fernandez, who has a background in embedded systems design and industrial automation. Courtney shares her experience working in the field and the excitement of playing with new technology. They discuss the importance of clear communication in projects and the challenges of working with different companies and clients. Courtney also emphasizes the importance of networking and learning ...

In this episode, we speak with recent engineering graduate Jordan Yates about her adventures in content creation via YouTube, her experience with the interview process coming out of school, the effects of the pandemic on the start of her career, her work as a Marketing Engineer at Knowles Precision Devices, and learn a bit more about the habits and preferences of Gen Z in the workforce. The sponsor of this episode is Siemens , to learn more check out: https://sie.ag/3gdJX2A Thank you to all our ...

In this episode, we talk with Audrey Van de Castle from Stanley Black & Decker about going from an arts degree to welding and finding her place in the manufacturing field working at Stanley Black & Decker. We discuss digital transformation, pitching new tech to Millenials, the role of communities, women on advisory boards, and more. Audio for this episode was recorded with Zoom. Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Direct...

In this first live LinkedIn episode, we spoke with Roohi from Qanare Engineering about her experiences in the Pakistan Air Force, motherhood, and her journey. Check out the full video on our LinkedIn page . The sponsor of this episode is Siemens , to learn more check out: https://sie.ag/3gdJX2A Audio for this episode was recorded with LinkedIn. Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and C...

In this episode, we talk to Joni about those who have inspired her, working in the industry, and those she (and our Automation Ladies) hope to inspire to join the automation world. Audio for this episode was recorded with Zoom. Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC , and Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam Follow us on Linkedin for live videos, d...

In this episode, we talk to Allison and Katie at Loupe about the twisted path that led them to Loupe, dancing with Spot the robot, working with Katy Perry, and their experiences in programming and robotics. P.S. We lost our Audio file for Ali's recording so our apologies her audio quality and volume is not good. Also note there is explicit language in this episode. Audio for this episode was recorded with Riverside.fm Check out these links to learn more about Loupe and the fun they have with ro...

In this episode, we continue talking with Kristy about stereotypes, working with other women, and hair and make-up. Audio recorded with Riverside.fm Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC , and Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam Follow us on Linkedin for live videos, demos, and other content Music by Samuel Janes Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio...

In this episode, we speak with Kristy about her experiences in the field and some skills about handling interviews. Part Two of this session will be released later this week. Audio recorded with Riverside.fm Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC , and Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam Follow us on Linkedin for live videos, demos, and other cont...

In this episode, we speak with Eilaina about communication, engineering, and most importantly DONUTS. Cause who doesn't love donuts? Audio recorded with Riverside.fm Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC , and Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam Follow us on Linkedin for live videos, demos, and other content Music by Samuel Janes Audio Editing by...

In this episode, we speak with Aaron Prather about operations, automation, and diversity in the workplace. Audio recorded with Riverside.fm Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC , and Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam Follow us on Linkedin for live videos, demos, and other content Music by Samuel Janes Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio Leave us a...

In this episode, we speak with Elana Day the star of her own YouTube channel Lil'MissFixIt and her dad Jordan about discovering an interest in automation and mechanics at a young age, and how her father has nurtured this interest to get into his field and get involved with all kinds of maintenance and engineering around the house. Check out Elana's Lil'MissFixIt Youtube Channel Audio recorded over Zoom Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts...

To begin our first season into automation, we speak with Alma Fernandez. Fernandez is a Mechatronics Engineer with experience in Fluid Power, Material Handling, and Automation. She speaks of her journey into the realm of all things automation. Audio recorded with Riverside.fm Thank you to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors Clarify and FactoryFix Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC , and Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Qu...