Deloitte’s Seema Pajula Named to NAM Board and Vice Chair of STEP Ahead

WASHINGTON, D.C.,   –

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) announced that Seema Pajula, vice chairman and U.S. consumer and industrial products leader of Deloitte & Touche, has been named to the NAM Board of Directors. Pajula will join the NAM Board to help advance a manufacturing agenda that promotes growth and prosperity for America.

Founded in 1895, the NAM, guided by its Board of Directors, is the largest industrial trade association in the United States with more than 14,000 members and is the nation’s most influential advocate for manufacturing. The NAM’s membership includes some of the world’s most iconic brands and small manufacturers that power the U.S. economy. More than 90 percent of NAM members are small and medium-sized businesses.

Executives on the NAM Board, which includes leaders representing companies of all sizes in every industrial sector, are the driving force behind the NAM’s advocacy efforts.

“Modern manufacturing is a creative, innovative and exciting industry,” said Pajula. “The manufacturing industry has the opportunity to help define the future as new technologies and cutting-edge products are developed, while improving the lives of customers and providing well-paying jobs for employees. I’m honored to work alongside the distinguished leaders on the NAM Board of Directors to help advance the manufacturing agenda, to tell the story of the essential role it plays in our economy and to encourage younger generations to be part of this thriving industry.”

“Seema is a true manufacturing leader, and she will bring valuable insights to the NAM Board of Directors,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Seema has extensive experience working with clients in various capacities in the manufacturing industry. She also has firsthand knowledge of the disruption and innovation occurring across the industry, including digital manufacturing, automation, advanced technology and additive manufacturing that is transforming the way America creates, designs and builds the future. With her voice and leadership, the NAM will be an even more effective advocate for our more than 14,000 members, America’s more than 12 million manufacturing workers and the industry that is the backbone of our country.”

In addition to her role as a member of the NAM Board of Directors, Pajula will also serve as vice chair of The Manufacturing Institute’s STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead initiative, which showcases the impact of women in manufacturing to help attract and retain the talent the industry needs to succeed. The STEP Ahead Awards program highlights the achievements of real women in manufacturing to celebrate their accomplishments and further encourages women to mentor and support the next generation of female talent. To date, 672 women have been honored for making a difference in their organizations and communities.

The STEP Ahead initiative is just one example of the NAM’s efforts to bring the best minds into the manufacturing industry. The NAM and the Institute last year launched the nationwide “Creators Wanted” campaign called to improve the perception of manufacturing and educate the public about rewarding manufacturing careers by featuring the real-life stories of Americans working in modern manufacturing.

-About the MI-

The Manufacturing Institute is the social impact arm of the National Association of Manufacturers. We drive programs and research to promote modern manufacturing and jumpstart new approaches to growing manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

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