EAFab Attends the 3rd Annual Women In Steel Conference

EAFab has consistently believed in and emphasized the significance of empowering women in the STEM and steel sectors. This event, organized by the Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST), has successfully united the entire steel industry to advocate for initiatives that support this mission.

This year, steel industry professionals from across North America gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since its inaugural year, the conference has almost doubled in size, attracting over 400 attendees, including both women and men alike. The increasing popularity of the event reflects the commitment of many to improving the future not just for women, but for the entire steel industry. When women thrive, team members everywhere benefit.

Women in Steel 2025 Conference Sessions

Professional Development Workshops

The event kick-started with a series of engaging professional development workshops, each focusing on a variety of pressing issues that are particularly relevant to working women in today’s society. These workshops served as a platform for participants to explore and discuss challenges they frequently face in their professional lives; topics included:

• Navigating Difficult Conversations

• Overcoming Self-Sabotage for Career Success

• Caring for the Caregiver

Overall, these workshops not only equipped participants with essential skills and knowledge but also created a supportive community where conference attendees could share their experiences and learn from one another, fostering connections that could outlast the event.

Interactive Speaker Sessions

Throughout the week, Women In Steel presented a range of interactive speaker sessions, panel discussions, interviews with successful women making remarkable strides in the steel industry, and more. Here is a brief look at some of the most notable sessions:

• Embracing Self-Care as a Professional Business Tool and Not Just a Buzzword

  • Presented by: Brea Schmidt, Keynote Speaker and Writer, The Thinking Branch

  • This session delved into the difficulties of maintaining mental wellness alongside the demands of both personal and professional lives. Brea Schmidt shared her experience of discovering self-care while on her entrepreneurial journey and promoted open discussions about embracing vulnerability, recognizing individualized self-care, and leveraging community support to attain joy and fulfillment in every aspect of life. The session considered the pressures of modern society and emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being with such a fast-paced career.

• Allies in Steel: Men and Women Building a Stronger Industry Together Panel Discussion 

  • Panelists: Calvin Hart, Vice President and General Manager, Nucor Steel Louisiana, Tom Katagis, General Manager Plate and Strip, Algoma Steel Inc., Sebastian Kukla, Digital Transformation North America, RHI Magnesita

  • The steel industry, a crucial part of global infrastructure, has traditionally been male-dominated. As the industry evolves, it acknowledges the increasing importance of embracing diversity. This panel session highlighted the essential role male leaders can play in supporting and promoting women within the steel sector. With insights from experienced leaders dedicated to the cause, the session discussed proven, implementable strategies for male leaders to help remove the obstacles women encounter and cultivate an equitable environment that nurtures talent and drives innovation. 

• Strength in Every Arena: Lessons in Leadership From Sports to Industry

  • Presented by: Tamika Catchings, WNBA Hall of Famer, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist 

  • This session included a personal interview with Tamika Catchings, a highly celebrated figure in women’s basketball. As a Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, and WNBA legend, Catchings discussed her inspiring journey about how she overcame adversity to build a 15-year career with the Indiana Fever, where she became a league MVP, champion, and record-setter. Currently an entrepreneur, community leader, and mentor, Catchings exemplifies leadership through her philanthropy foundation and business ventures. The interview delved into Catchings’ leadership development, the obstacles women encounter in male-dominated fields, and her advice for women forging their own paths.

Participating Companies

In addition to the sessions, the conference featured a wide array of vendors and committed event sponsors, including those providing women-specific PPE, fashionable steel-toe safety boots, and even fire-resistant undergarments!

Take Home Information

Among the myriad of topics addressed, the discussions ranged from the balancing act of managing life as a working mother, which involves juggling career responsibilities with family commitments, to the essential skill of asserting oneself in an often daunting and competitive workplace environment.

Participants were also encouraged to change their language and mindset by referring to the industry as "male-populated" instead of "male-dominated." These minor adjustments help counteract the subtle influences of everyday language used in the steel industry. It begins with acknowledging personal biases and unlearning them to positively influence industry culture.

Conference attendees were tasked with applying the knowledge gained throughout the week to implement significant changes in their workplaces and continue the team efforts started in Indianapolis. They received numerous practical resources offering straightforward, step-by-step plans to enhance their work environments back at home.

Empowering Women in Steel: EAFab's Commitment

EAFab has long been a strong advocate for empowering women in STEM and the steel industry. This commitment was evident at the AIST Women in Steel Conference, where they were accompanied by many other organizations that share a dedication to advancing the steel industry by supporting women.

The event included numerous professional development sessions focused on tackling common challenges faced by working women, ultimately creating a supportive community for sharing experiences and forming connections that EAFab intends to cultivate for years to come. We are already anticipating next year's conference.

Watch a video recap of the event here.

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EAFab's Women in Steel 2025 Conference Attendees: Jesse Quiroga, Claudia Leal, and Sharon Jonnet.