MxD Appoints National Manufacturing Leaders to Board of Directors

February 13, 2020 (CHICAGO) – MxD announced today the addition of several manufacturing executives to its board of directors:

“MxD is accelerating its mission to serve the U.S. manufacturing industry with new digital technologies, cyber and workforce programs,” said MxD CEO Chandra Brown. “These accomplished and energized new directors will deepen our ability to serve the industry more effectively and position the Institute for long-term success.”

Katy George is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, and the North American Leader and Global Co-Convenor of McKinsey’s Operations Practice, which includes the firm’s services in manufacturing and supply chain. George holds leadership roles across the firm, including its global governance board, the Shareholders Council, as well as the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), McKinsey’s economic think tank, where her research interests often focus on manufacturing and economics trends in the United States and globally. George’s 23-years of client service have focused on operational performance improvement, operations strategy linked to business strategy, and operating model design. In recent years, George has focused on advanced technology development and adoption, the future of manufacturing and the future of work.  She has also co-led McKinsey’s collaboration with the World Economic Forum around “Factories of the Future” (2017-2019). 

Mary Isbister is President of GenMet Corp., a custom metal fabricating company specializing in high value-added metal fabrications and enclosures, located in Mequon, Wisconsin. Isbister and her husband purchased the manufacturing company in 1999. In 2010, GenMet was awarded Fabricator of the Year by the National Fabricators and Manufacturers Association. A chemist by training, Isbister began her career at Pfizer, where she held positions in medicinal chemistry, clinical research, and senior organizational development. In 1997, she moved to Wisconsin and founded Synergy Solutions an organizational development and strategic planning consulting business, which she ran until 2001. Isbister serves on the National Institute for Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership Board of Directors, is a past chair of Wisconsin’s Council for Workforce Investment and a prior vice-chair of the U.S. Manufacturing Council.

Shirish Pareek is Managing Director of AMG Partners, the investment and advisory firm he founded that focuses on Advanced Manufacturing products and services companies. Pareek also serves as Chairman of MiQ Partners, an advanced automation business with a focus on the life sciences industry. Previously, Pareek was the CEO and Founder of Hydraulex Global, which he grew into the largest hydraulics re-manufacturing business in America. Pareek was previously a business strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company. Pareek serves on the board of directors of ALOI Automation and DMI Industries and is currently on the Leadership Council of mForesight.  He previously served on the U.S. Manufacturing Council, where he co-chaired the skills and workforce commission.

Marsha Serlin is the Founder and CEO of United Scrap Metal, an award-winning leader in recycling solutions. Serlin founded United Scrap Metal in 1978. United Scrap Metal has received recognition from more than 28 global, national and local organizations including Platts Global Metals CEO of the Year, the Small Business Administration’s National Subcontractor of the Year, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Grant Thornton Executive Woman of the Year Award, and the Illinois Recycling Association’s Outstanding Recycling Business Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. Serlin served on the U.S. Manufacturing Council. She serves on the boards of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the United Way/Community Chest, After School Matters, and the Children at the Crossroads Foundation. 

George, Isbister, and Pareek were confirmed as directors in December 2019. Serlin was confirmed in September 2019. The newly appointed directors join Billy Bardin, Global Operations Director, Dow; Chandra Brown, CEO, MxD; Caralynn Nowinski Collens, co-founder of UI LABS; Tony Hemmelgarn, President and CEO, Siemens PLM Software; Jay Walsh, Vice President of Research at Northwestern University; and Mark Wilson, Chief Operating Officer of Rolls-Royce North American Technologies.

About MxD

MxD is where innovative manufacturers go to forge their futures. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, MxD equips factories with the digital tools and expertise they need to begin building every part better than the last. As a result, our network of nearly 300 partners increases its productivity and wins more business. Learn more at mxdusa.org.