AUSTIN — The Manufacturing Institute announced that Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s Megan Detwiler, manufacturing quality operations engineer, has been recognized as a 2024 Women MAKE Awards Emerging Leader.
The MI is the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, a press release said.
This annual national awards program honors women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C-suite.
In her current role, Detwiler drives root cause investigations, implements corrective and preventative actions and ensures containment of impacted material.
In a previous role in the material technology department, Detwiler was responsible for several raw chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
According to a press release, her natural ability as a leader has earned her Samsung’s President’s Award for her supply chain work, made strides toward accessibility and inclusion in the workplace and encouraged many young women to explore STEM options, all while facing the challenges of living with dysautonomia.
As head of the Women in Technology Professional Development Committee, Detwiler developed relationships with the recruiting team to help foster the next generation of women engineers at Samsung, increasing women representation at university career fairs and driving Samsung to have a larger presence at the Society of Women Engineers conference.
Detwiler has also served as chair of the Women in Technology at Samsung employee resource group, where membership has grown 45% and participation in the mentoring program has nearly doubled.
“I feel powerful when my impact in the manufacturing industry goes beyond product quality,” Detwiler said. “I advocate for equality and accessibility, shaping a community where innovation and inclusion can thrive.
My power is in forging a path where everyone’s potential is unlocked, transcending traditional boundaries.”
The press release said 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 build the 21st-century manufacturing workforce by empowering and inspiring women in the industry.
“Megan has been a great leader and advocate for the Women in Technology at Samsung group,” said Jon Taylor, Samsung Austin Semiconductor corporate vice president. “Through her outreach, she’s encouraging young women to consider a career in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.”
Detwiler is in familiar company since her semiconductor colleague, Katie Van Strander, was nominated as an honoree in 2023.
The Women MAKE Awards gala honors 100 industry leaders and 30 rising stars who have been nominated by their companies as the “goto” women, recognized for their innovation, dedication, contributions and good counsel.
Honorees are further rewarded with access to a two-day leadership development conference in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to the evening awards gala.
Since its launch in 2011, the program has honored and recognized more than 1,400 Honorees and Emerging Leaders.
On April 18, the MI will recognize the recipients of the Women MAKE Awards in Washington, D.C.
The evening will highlight the story of each Honoree and Emerging Leader, including their leadership and accomplishments in manufacturing.
