Automation Ladies

What is it like to build a thriving controls engineering company with your partner?

The Automation Ladies sit down with Caitlyn Young from Integrated Controls and Engineering to discuss what it takes to balance business, engineering, and partnership—all while serving the local industry at the highest level.

Join us as Caitlyn shares the secrets of navigating roles, playing to strengths, handling challenges as a couple, and...

Curious why manufacturer-distributor relationships still make or break automation sales?

Nikki Gonzales talked with industry veterans Frank Hurtte & Larry White at AHTD about tariffs, global supply chain headaches, how AI is shifting the workforce & why family-run industrial businesses are thriving.

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Huge thank you to Automate.org for sponsoring this episode!

The biggest automation party of the ye...

The Automation Ladies are all back together! Catch up as they mark the return of the podcast for a new season, sharing candid updates on life transitions, moves, industry shifts, and unexpected opportunities. Listen in for real talk about building and growing their women-led automation community, the creative push behind the unique OT SCADA CON event, the challenge and pull of relocating for career and life, and what it means to ba...

Many factories struggle with unexpected equipment failure, resulting in costly downtime hits without warning.  How can you avoid this with predictive maintenance strategies?

Join us as we welcome special guest Ryan Treece from FreeWave Technologies for a discussion covering many industry insights.  Discover how implementing predictive maintenance using vibration sensors can alert you in advance, minimizing surprise breakdo...

We’re back! In this special solo kickoff to Season 6, Nikki shares what’s new with Automation Ladies — including her new role at Weintek USA, a big media partnership, and all the exciting things ahead for the show and community.

In this episode:

•Why Nikki joined the team at Weintek USA

•The big announcement: Automation Ladies is now part of Industry Sage Media

•Behind-the-scenes of producing the podcast (and a heartfelt goodbye to our...

How can breaking free from traditional limitations unlock a new era of innovation and resilience in automation?

Join us with Jennifer Sutter, Itoro Meshioye, and Talita Clemente, three amazing women from Schneider Electric, who are pioneering the “Universal Automation” movement, where design flexibility and hardware independence redefine possibilities. 

Experience their inspiring narratives and an interactive demo of EcoStr...

 How can the collaboration between AI and cultural understanding create optimal performance in projects?

Join us with Solutions Architect, Dylan DuFresne, as we navigate the complex landscape of digital transformation, shedding light on the often-overlooked human elements that can make or break technology implementations. 

We reflect on the evolving intersection of electrical engineering and software, and how the collabora...

OT, IT, and Cybersecurity - how are they different, related, and are you protected? 

Join us with Leah Dodson & Ashley Van Hoesen, as we master the distinctions between OT, IT, and Cybersecurity roles in the manufacturing industry.

Gain insider knowledge on governance, risk, compliance, and the psychological tactics of scammers and hackers. Discover best use practices to safeguard operations, mitigate risk, a...

Dive into the world of boiler technologies, the growing role of automation, and the power of training and development. 

Join us with, Eric Johnson, CEO of Boilearn, as we enthusiastically tackle the pivotal topic of training and development in the mechanical and boiler industries. We emphasize the value of a diverse skill set, allowing technicians to collaborate effectively with professionals across various trades. 

We later explore ...

What are the essential skills for a leader to create a supportive work culture?

With retic and humor, our conversation with Alicia Lomas uncovers the nuances of leadership, exploring invaluable lesson on emotional regulation, the art of providing and receiving feedback, and the distinction between mentoring and managing-all essential skills for any leader striving to create a supportive work culture.  

The conversation also delves in...

What if passion, resilience, and community could lead you to unexpected heights in a career?

Join us along with Alex Pool from Masked Owl Technologies as we discuss how achievements, setbacks, fervor, and maintaining strong industry connections can pave the way for long-term personal and career success.

We delve into the complexities of transitioning from technical roles to management and the significance of sa...

Discover how optimizing often-overlooked compressed air systems can revolutionize industrial efficiency.

Nikki, Ali, Courtney, and Senior Compressed Air Technician, Rob Michael, share practical wisdom on avoiding design mistakes by consulting with domain experts, delving into technical insights and real-life experiences in working with air compressors. 

Uncover the common pitfalls in compressed air systems that c...

Challenging existing norms and community are the keys to navigating the ever-evolving realm of industrial automation

Join us along with Mara Pillott and Christine Lee in addressing the changing landscape of remote work, the intricate gender dynamics, and the urgent demand for inventive solutions to the engineering skill gap in the industrial automation sector.

Through humor and reflections, Christine Lee and Mara...

Attending industry events are crucial in extending your professional network and growing professionally. 

Join us with Brandon Peters, CEO of Shockwave Automation, as we highlight how short, focused sessions and face-to-face interactions at industry events can offer practical insights and foster meaningful connections. 

Gain insights into the importance of staying ahead of industry trends and technologies, even when there's no i...

Balancing work, life, and personal growth with cultural experiences and collaborative mindsets. 

Join us for a hearty conversation with Jakob Sagatowski, Software Engineer & CEO Sagatowski, involving traditions and career transitions, blending personal stories into an engaging narrative with nostalgic items symbolizing pride, success, and good fortune in adulthood.  

Reflecting on experiences within the automation indu...

Cybersecurity has become one of the fastest-growing fields, offering a wealth of job opportunities.  

Join us as we discuss the challenges and advancements in cybersecurity in industrial automation with Michael Grollmus, CEO of Grollmus, highlighting the crossroads of tradition and innovation in this evolving sector.  

Together we investigate the mesh of cybersecurity into industrial automation and the dire need for improve...

If you know us ladies, you know we love to network, both in-person and online, especially through social media.  Join us, as we delve into the wonders and the transformations of social media with Susan Wilson from Inductive Automation. 

Sparked by her husband's career as a toolmaker machinist, hear how Susan discovered a passion for digital strategy, taking on a unique role that focuses exclusively on social media in a traditio...

Nikki & Ali, sit down with Vinny Endres, owner of Bitmasked Automation & a trailblazer in dairy farm automation. Vinny shares his journey from growing up on a dairy farm to becoming a diesel mechanic, then discovering his passion for electrical engineering & automation.

He shares his unique perspective integrating robotic technologies in dairy farming, the potential of teleoperation, the promise of autonomous ...

What happens when a young troublemaker with a love for computers and cars finds himself at the forefront of the robotics and machine vision industries? Nikki and Courtney chat with Erick Collins, owner of Rockport Integration and Automation.

Through a significant change in career direction and the influence of pivotal figures, Erick's path was anything but ordinary. Discover how a friend's advice led him from aut...