Career Readiness in the Manufacturing Industry

Career Readiness for All

Happy April!
Spencer is joined by Carolyn Lee, President of The Manufacturing Institute and Cassi Zumbiel, National Director of Workforce Initiatives & Policy at The Manufacturing Institute.
About The Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute grows and supports the industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The MI’s diverse initiatives support all American workers, including emerging workers, women, veterans and students, through skilled training programs, community building and career growth. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industry’s toughest challenges.
About Our Guests
Carolyn Lee is the president of The Manufacturing Institute, the education and workforce partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, the nation’s largest industrial trade association.

In her role, Ms. Lee leads the Institute in its goal of supporting the manufacturing workforce of today and growing the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow. The Institute does so through a variety of programs designed to excite, educate and empower—with a particular focus in four key areas: women, veterans, youth and lifelong learning.

Ms. Lee was raised in a manufacturing family. She saw from a young age the transformative impact manufacturing can have on communities, families and the men and women who build the world around us. Now it’s what drives her every day as she works to bring manufacturing’s powerful potential to more Americans.

Prior to her role leading the Institute, Ms. Lee served in a policy role at the NAM and worked in leadership positions with the Telecommunications Industry Association and 3M and in the offices of former Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and former Rep. Sue Kelly (R-NY).

Ms. Lee lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and three children.
Cassi Zumbiel is the National Director, Workforce Initiatives and Policy at The Manufacturing Institute, the non-profit affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). In her role, Ms. Zumbiel assists in the development, launch, and growth of creative workforce programs for the manufacturing industry in a variety of regions across the U.S.

Prior to joining the Institute, Ms. Zumbiel worked at the NC Chamber as the Policy Development Manager in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was responsible for researching, collecting and analyzing state policy and data on various subjects such as education and talent supply, infrastructure, business climate, and entrepreneurship. She managed numerous projects including completing over eight studies that led to changes in legislation at the state level. Zumbiel also created and managed the NC Chamber Foundation Apprenticeship Council.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Ms. Zumbiel currently resides in Washington, D.C. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication-Public Relations with a minor in Nonprofit Studies and a Master’s in Public Administration from NC State University.