Throughout her 25 years in manufacturing, Jeannine Kunz has worked at the intersection of technology, talent, and industry growth, advocating for the transformation of manufacturing through advancements in technologies and workforce innovation.
Kunz previously served as SME’s Chief Workforce Development Officer, where she led national initiatives aimed at advancing the US manufacturing workforce. Her team focused on strategizing nationally while partnering locally to build a holistic approach to attracting, developing, and retaining talent.
Kunz also serves on several boards and committees, including the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group and the Coalition for Career Development, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Smart Manufacturing, Co-chair of the Smart Manufacturing Executive Council, Chair of the manufacturing division of the National Defense Industrial Association workforce committee, and member of the education and workforce committee for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute.
Crain’s Detroit Business recognized Kunz’s work when the publication selected her as one of its 2018 Notable Women in Manufacturing and one of its 2019 Notable Women in Education. Most recently, she received the 2023 Advanced Robotics Institutes Champion Award for going above and beyond to advocate for their mission to strengthen U.S. Manufacturing.