When Lara Mouakar moved from Lebanon back to the U.S., she never imagined she’d land in high-tech manufacturing. With a background in adult education, Lara could have settled into a new role in education. Instead, she took a huge risk on a third-shift group lead role at ASML and found a whole new career path!

In this episode, Lara shares how she overcame the challenge of leading in an unfamiliar industry. She talks about building trust, fostering growth, and using her educator’s mindset to develop strong, skilled teams. Now, as a Senior Learning Specialist, Lara’s passion for continuous improvement is helping ASML, and its people, prepare for the future.

Whether you're switching industries or leveling up your leadership, Lara’s story is a masterclass in learning and adaptability.

Where you can find Lara: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-mouakar-131206a4/ Company: https://www.asml.com/en

------- Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

How do you build strong culture in a global company—and make it feel local?

In this episode, Ellen and Jenny sit down with Lee Ulinskas, Employee Engagement & Development Manager at ebm-papst, to explore what it really means to create meaningful workplace culture across locations, languages, and time zones.

Lee shares how her role is to nurture culture, collaboration, and continuous learning—while also navigating regional differences between locations in Connecticut, Tennessee, and Germany. Her career path has given her a unique perspective and now she's now a driving force behind culture-building initiatives that make a real difference.

This episode is packed with powerful takeaways:

• How to adapt global values to local teams
• Ways to foster trust and feedback across cultures
• The importance of perspective-taking in collaboration
• A simple but powerful mindset: treat coworkers like customers

Lee’s intentional, thoughtful approach to culture shows that it’s not just about posters on the wall—it’s about behaviors, values, and systems that reflect who you are as a company, every single day.

Where you can find Lee: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-ulinskas/ Company: https://www.ebmpapst.com/us/en/home.html

------- Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

Are you drowning in “urgent” tasks and feeling like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Manufacturing Shake-Up, hosts Jenny and Ellen tackle the all-too-common struggle of overwhelm.

They break down the hidden traps that lead to burnout, including the myth that everything is urgent, the pressure to do it all yourself, and the curse of competence—where being good at something can sometimes hold you back from achieving more.

Jenny and Ellen share their own experiences as recovering workaholics and explore practical strategies to break free from the cycle of exhaustion. They discuss: ✔️ The difference between important vs. urgent work ✔️ How burnout impacts safety and productivity in manufacturing ✔️ Why delegating and cross-training are critical for success ✔️ How leaders can create a culture that values balance over burnout

If you’re ready to shift from survival to thrive, this episode is for you. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation filled with humor, hard-won wisdom, and actionable tips to take control of your time and energy.

🎧 Listen now and take your first step toward working smarter—not harder!

What makes a great place to work for the new generation of manufacturers? Just listen to Gina Greco!

Gina, an Automation Engineer at PTA Plastics, was bribed by her professor (for extra credit) to attend her university's STEM career fair. That small push led her to a booth that stood out: a company with a robot on display and, more importantly, a team of women excited to welcome her. That conversation landed her a job where she thrives today, building cutting-edge automation solutions in injection molding.

In this episode, Gina shares her journey into manufacturing, how company culture played a huge role in her job acceptance, and why she can see a great future at PTA Plastics. She dives into key lessons for companies hoping to attract top young talent: the importance of an inviting career fair booth, an engaging interview process, and a modern, growth-focused work environment.

Join hosts Jenny and Ellen as they uncover the career-building factors that matter most to young engineers like Gina, from hands-on learning opportunities to women-focused workplace communities. If you're looking to attract the next generation of manufacturing talent, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Where you can find Gina: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina24670/ Company: https://www.ptaplastics.com/

------- Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

Adrienne Henry was just 14 years old when she found a passion for manufacturing! Now a CNC Machinist at RayGinn Manufacturing, Adrienne is proving that persistence, curiosity, and hands-on learning can build an incredible career.

Adrienne talks to Ellen and Jenny about how she combats imposter syndrome, how she gains confidence from the tangible results of her work, and why her company’s flexibility is a valuable key to her success as both a student and a machinist.

Ellen and Jenny dig into Adrienne’s story, uncovering key themes about self-belief, perseverance, and finding the right work environment. Whether you’re new to manufacturing or looking to grow your career, this episode has insights on how to push forward, believe in yourself, and make things happen.

Where you can find Adrienne: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennehenry22/ Company: https://www.rayginn.com/

------- Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

If you're struggling to attract or retain… generally it comes down to something going on in the internal climate of the organization that is undermining your efforts.

Workplace culture has an undeniable impact on morale, retention, and business success.

In this episode, Jenny and Ellen dive deep into the influence of workplace culture on hiring, retention, and overall company success. They discuss:

• The dangers of toxic employees.
• The connection between culture and Connecticut’s workforce shortage.
• How companies build strong, positive cultures that attract and retain great employees.
• Practical strategies for improving employee engagement, including onboarding best practices and leadership development.

If your company struggles with retention or is trying to attract top talent, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Tune in to learn how to create a workplace where people want to stay!

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Resource mentioned in this episode:

Never Lose an Employee Again by Joey Coleman

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You can find more Ellen and Jenny here: Ellen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-feldman-ornato/ Jenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolderjenny/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bolder-company/ Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/

------- Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

Paige Raffaele is redefining what it means to be a young woman in the manufacturing industry. Unlike generations before her, Paige hasn't absorbed the narrative that manufacturing was a hard place for women. Instead, she's been part of the new workplace – a space that has been welcoming to young women like her.

In this episode, Jenny and Ellen chat with Paige about her journey from Abbott Technical High School to Naugatuck Valley Community College and into a full-time role as a Machine Operator and Programmer at East Branch Engineering. Along the way, she’s been supported by an incredible network of male family members, teachers, and colleagues who have seen her potential and helped her grow.

Paige shares:

• How her hands-on curiosity led her to manufacturing
• The impact of male allies in her education and career path
• How keeping an open mind has helped her thrive
• The importance of learning many skills across the manufacturing floor
• The importance of speaking up, making mistakes, and learning from them

Paige embodies a new generation of manufacturing professionals—curious, adaptable, and ready to take on challenges. Her story is an inspiration for young people considering a career in manufacturing, and for those already in the field looking to support the next wave of talent.

Where you can find Paige: Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-branch-engineering/

------- Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

When you walk into your workplace, do you feel inspired and energized? Or does it feel like you've stepped back in time to 1965?

This week on The Manufacturing Shake-Up, we sit down with Jennifer Gaggion, Industrial Interior Designer at Design Your Monday, to discuss how thoughtful design can revolutionize manufacturing spaces—boosting productivity, employee engagement, and even revenue.

Jennifer explains why manufacturing and interior design go hand in hand, and how these 3 small, intentional changes can create a major impact:

1. Integrate Your Brand Into Your Space – Whether it’s a bold feature wall, company colors, or strategic signage, your workspace should tell the story of who you are.
2. Create Spaces for Collaboration – Encourage idea-sharing and teamwork by designing casual, welcoming spaces where employees can gather and connect.
3. Keep It Clean and Organized – Outdated, cluttered, or dirty workspaces send the wrong message to employees and clients alike. Small efforts in tidiness go a long way in boosting morale and professionalism.

Finally, Jennifer dives into how interior design plays a role in employee retention, workplace safety, and even customer perception. If you’re looking to hire and retain employees, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Where you can find Jennifer: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-gaggion-8065393/ Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/design-your-monday-llc/

------- Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/