Shaping the Workforce of Tomorrow: A Conversation with Jeannine Kunz, SME's newly appointed Executive Director and CEO

The manufacturing industry is undergoing rapid changes, and at the heart of these transformations is the need to build a workforce equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. Toni Neary, Director of Community Engagement and Workforce Innovation at SME, recently launched the minicast series "Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow." In the inaugural episode, she had the privilege of speaking with Jeannine Kunz, SME’s newly appointed SME Executive Director and CEO, who has dedicated over 20 years to advancing the organization's mission. A respected leader in workforce development, Jeannine shared valuable insights into SME’s mission, the evolving manufacturing landscape, and how workforce development is essential to addressing both local and national challenges.

A Legacy of Problem Solving at SME

SME is a nonprofit organization founded during the Great Depression with a mission to bring people together to tackle the biggest challenges in manufacturing. This mission continues today, with SME's focus on advancing manufacturing to enhance competitiveness, resilience, and national security.

According to Jeannine, SME’s approach revolves around two key pillars: technology adoption and talent development. These areas are essential for enabling North America's manufacturing sector to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape.

“We see it in two very key distinctive ways,” Jeannine explained, “advancing technology adoption and building the capabilities of North America's talent.”

The relationship between technology and talent is interdependent—one cannot thrive without the other. With the collaboration of its members and partners, SME is uniquely positioned to create opportunities that benefit employers, educators, individuals, and the nation.

Defining Workforce Development

Workforce development is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean in today’s context? It's about addressing the needs of both individuals and employers. “Workforce development is a system designed to connect individuals to employers with the right skills at the right time," Jeannine noted.

SME’s approach tackles workforce development on both a national and local level. “While we’re taking on national issues, we’re also working within local communities to address specific needs. Our goal is to remove barriers and optimize education and workforce systems so that talent can quickly and efficiently meet the demands of industry,” she explained.

Jeannine said that the challenges we face in manufacturing can be addressed by people across the ecosystem working together to solve large, complex challenges both nationally and within our local communities. With this holistic approach to workforce development, SME is creating a talent supply to match workplace demand.

Local Impact, National Scale

One of the key approaches SME has adopted is to optimize, accelerate, and scale. This strategy allows SME to take successful local initiatives and amplify them on a national scale. Earlier this year SME launched the Manufacturing Imperative Workforce Pipeline Challenge, a program that has brought together 27 community college presidents across 17 states. This collaborative effort aims to break down barriers, streamline workforce training, and create a community of practice among educational institutions, with support from the White House, the Department of Education, and other key partners.

"We’re not just sharing information," Jeannine said. "We’re actively working to accelerate these initiatives, take what’s working at the local level, and scale it nationally. That’s our responsibility as a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing manufacturing."

Technology and Talent: A Symbiotic Relationship

At the heart of manufacturing’s evolution is the relationship between technology and talent. “Manufacturing is rich with cutting-edge technology,” Jeannine said, “but none of it works without skilled people behind it. Our job is to help people develop the skills they need to operate, maintain, and innovate using these new technologies.”

This approach supports SME’s belief that unlocking human potential empowers manufacturing. 

SME’s focus on both technology and talent ensures that manufacturers have the tools and workforce they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive and technologically advanced market. While technology excites new entrants into the industry, it’s the human element—relationships, creativity, and problem-solving—that truly drives success.

Looking to the Future

As Jeannine and Toni discussed, it’s an exciting time to be in manufacturing and workforce development. SME’s role is more critical than ever as it continues to drive forward the agenda of advancing technology and talent.

With a dedicated team boasting hundreds of years of combined experience, SME is well-positioned to continue making an impact.

"It’s an exciting time to be in manufacturing," Toni noted. "And most importantly, it’s an exciting time to be at SME."

Jeannine echoed this sentiment, reflecting on how SME’s mission aligns with national priorities like competitiveness and security. "What stands before us are real challenges for manufacturing, but also great opportunities. I’ve never been more excited about what lies ahead for this industry and our role in shaping its future."

As manufacturing continues to evolve, workforce development remains a critical component of success. Under the leadership of experts like Jeannine Kunz, SME is actively working to close the skills gap, foster innovation, and ensure that the manufacturing sector remains competitive and resilient.

Listen to the full episode here.